Replace Mac Mini Late 2009 Temperature Sensor/Fan Male Connector

[Vega20]

Hi folks I was recently given a Mac Mini 3,1 where the previous owner didn't bother using a spudger and ripped the pins out of the male temperature sensor (see below) and power LED connectors (not pictured) What is this standard called? The newer Macs have a similar 4 pin connector but I can't find any info on the 2 pin. The pins on the cable seem fine so popping them in a new male connector would theoretically be much more economical than buying a new cable. Would something like that still exist?

 

[Needleroozer]

Hi folks I was recently given a Mac Mini 3,1 where the previous owner didn't bother using a spudger and ripped the pins out of the male temperature sensor (see below) and power LED connectors (not pictured) What is this standard called? The newer Macs have a similar 4 pin connector but I can't find any info on the 2 pin. The pins on the cable seem fine so popping them in a new male connector would theoretically be much more economical than buying a new cable. Would something like that still exist? View attachment 2123678

From looking at MacBook Pro schematics, I think those are Molex 78171-0002 connectors on the motherboard (“Pico-EZmate” series).

https://www.molex.com/molex/products/part-detail/pcb_headers/0781710002

That means you’d want the mating Molex 78172-0002 housing.

https://www.molex.com/molex/products/part-detail/crimp_housings/0781720002

You can get the housing for $0.13 or $0.14 from Digikey and Mouser, respectively, though the shipping is a bit of a bummer. I typically build up a list of stuff I want from them and then order once I hit $30 or so, which makes the shipping costs more palatable.

 

[Vega20]

That means you’d want the mating Molex 78172-0002 housing.

https://www.molex.com/molex/products/part-detail/crimp_housings/0781720002

Exceptional. Thanks! I think these are the larger 4 pin version housing though which is too big. According to the very broken Molex site the smaller size might be the Pico-EZmate Slim 2026542021 receptacle and it's in stock on Digikey or Mouser. Is that what I'm looking for?

https://www.molex.com/molex/products/part-detail/crimp_housings/2026542021

202654-2021 Molex | Mouser

202654-2021 Molex Headers & Wire Housings PicoEZmate Slim Rec W/Side Fric Lck 2Ckt datasheet, inventory, & pricing.

www.mouser.com

though the shipping is a bit of a bummer

I have a few things I need to order anyway so this is a good excuse lol.

 

[Needleroozer]

Exceptional. Thanks! I think these are the larger 4 pin version housing though which is too big. According to the very broken Molex site the smaller size might be the Pico-EZmate Slim 2026542021 receptacle and it's in stock on Digikey or Mouser. Is that what I'm looking for?

https://www.molex.com/molex/products/part-detail/crimp_housings/2026542021

202654-2021 Molex | Mouser

202654-2021 Molex Headers & Wire Housings PicoEZmate Slim Rec W/Side Fric Lck 2Ckt datasheet, inventory, & pricing.

www.mouser.com

I have a few things I need to order anyway so this is a good excuse lol.

The Molex site tends to show one picture for all the different sizes of a connector family. In this case, the 78172-000X family can have between two and five contact slots, as per the last digit of the part number. (See the “Drawing” PDF for dimensions and details.)
This will also happen on Digikey/Mouser, so beware...

With how cheap the individual housings are, I’d probably get a few each of 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-pin ones just to have some on hand.
And you can of course try grabbing the even smaller housings, but I strongly suspect that Apple wouldn’t have changed up their connector parts bin that drastically.

 

[Vega20]

The Molex site tends to show one picture for all the different sizes of a connector family. In this case, the 78172-000X family can have between two and five contact slots, as per the last digit of the part number. (See the “Drawing” PDF for dimensions and details.)
This will also happen on Digikey/Mouser, so beware...

With how cheap the individual housings are, I’d probably get a few each of 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-pin ones just to have some on hand.
And you can of course try grabbing the even smaller housings, but I strongly suspect that Apple wouldn’t have changed up their connector parts bin that drastically.

That makes perfect sense. I'll grab a couple 3 and 4 pin housings for future use as well. If they're in the MBP and Mac Mini they're bound to be in more.

Heres the 78172-0002 and 78172-0004 casings on Digikey, I'll probably go with them. Thanks again!

0781720002 | Digi-Key Electronics

Order today, ships today. 0781720002 – 2 Rectangular Connectors - Housings Receptacle Black 0.047" (1.20mm) from Molex. Pricing and Availability on millions of electronic components from Digi-Key Electronics.

www.digikey.com

0781720004 | Digi-Key Electronics

Order today, ships today. 0781720004 – 4 Rectangular Connectors - Housings Receptacle Black 0.047" (1.20mm) from Molex. Pricing and Availability on millions of electronic components from Digi-Key Electronics.

www.digikey.com