PC fan 3 pin plug unwiring

blitter2 · Jan 21, 2011, 06:38 PM

I know this is little unrelated to kxproject, but does anyone please knows and can explain how to unwire a 3-pin PC fan plug?

It looks similar with audio 4-pin plugs but it seems that it doesn't unwire the same way.

Russ · Jan 21, 2011, 07:29 PM

I do not think they are all the same, but with the ones I have worked with, the wires are typically held in by spring tension (i.e. in some, the end of the metal connector (that the wire is attached to) is looped, such that it works kind of like a spring (holds the wire in the plastic connector and also provides tension against the pins on the motherboard (when connected)). To remove them, I usually use the end of the probes for my multimeter (stiff pointy metal). On the face of the plug, there are elongated holes where you can see the metal connectors, I use the probe to push (straight) in on the metal connectors enough to compress the spring a little (just enough to clear a little metal tab), and at the same time push it in the direction that would allow it to come out of the plastic connector.

It might take a little force to compress the spring enough, but once you clear the little metal tab, it should slide out of the plastic connector easily.

Here is a picture I found that shows the type of connector I am talking about (may help you to understand what I am talking about (above)).

Tyrsonswood · Jan 21, 2011, 07:30 PM

Not sure what you mean..... To take the pins out? Push in with a tiny screwdriver or pin, there is a metal tap that holds them in place.

Or are you asking something different?

blitter2 · Jan 21, 2011, 07:44 PM

I would want to remove each wire along with the metal tab attached, off the plug.

Tyrsonswood · Jan 21, 2011, 07:51 PM

That's how...... Push in that exposed bit of metal so it can clear the plastic and they pull right out.

blitter2 · Jan 21, 2011, 08:17 PM

Allright. I had the plug out.

Now I tried to install a new fan on the plug with the pins on its wires, but the pins don't want to "lock" into the plug.

With a gentle pull the pins come out.

What am I doing wrong?

Russ · Jan 21, 2011, 08:20 PM

You probably flattened the metal tab (or the loop)... Just bend it back up...

blitter2 · Jan 21, 2011, 08:20 PM

Ok I lifted the front metal bit and it locked.

Thanks a lot to everyone that helped.

Tyrsonswood · Jan 21, 2011, 09:56 PM

That happens most of the time, and what Russ mentioned is the fix...... can't do it too many time though or the metal will fatigue and break off.....

Glad you got it working.

Jan 21, 2011, 06:38 PM	#1
blitter2 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 196 Rep Power: 26	PC fan 3 pin plug unwiring I know this is little unrelated to kxproject, but does anyone please knows and can explain how to unwire a 3-pin PC fan plug? It looks similar with audio 4-pin plugs but it seems that it doesn't unwire the same way.

Jan 21, 2011, 07:29 PM	#2
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Re: PC fan 3 pin plug unwiring I do not think they are all the same, but with the ones I have worked with, the wires are typically held in by spring tension (i.e. in some, the end of the metal connector (that the wire is attached to) is looped, such that it works kind of like a spring (holds the wire in the plastic connector and also provides tension against the pins on the motherboard (when connected)). To remove them, I usually use the end of the probes for my multimeter (stiff pointy metal). On the face of the plug, there are elongated holes where you can see the metal connectors, I use the probe to push (straight) in on the metal connectors enough to compress the spring a little (just enough to clear a little metal tab), and at the same time push it in the direction that would allow it to come out of the plastic connector. It might take a little force to compress the spring enough, but once you clear the little metal tab, it should slide out of the plastic connector easily. Here is a picture I found that shows the type of connector I am talking about (may help you to understand what I am talking about (above)). Last edited by Russ; Jan 21, 2011 at 07:47 PM.

Jan 21, 2011, 07:44 PM	Thread Starter #4
blitter2 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 196 Rep Power: 26	Re: PC fan 3 pin plug unwiring I would want to remove each wire along with the metal tab attached, off the plug. Last edited by blitter2; Jan 21, 2011 at 07:50 PM.

Jan 21, 2011, 08:17 PM	Thread Starter #6
blitter2 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 196 Rep Power: 26	Re: PC fan 3 pin plug unwiring Allright. I had the plug out. Now I tried to install a new fan on the plug with the pins on its wires, but the pins don't want to "lock" into the plug. With a gentle pull the pins come out. What am I doing wrong?

Jan 21, 2011, 08:20 PM	#7
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Re: PC fan 3 pin plug unwiring You probably flattened the metal tab (or the loop)... Just bend it back up...

Jan 21, 2011, 08:20 PM	Thread Starter #8
blitter2 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 196 Rep Power: 26	Re: PC fan 3 pin plug unwiring Ok I lifted the front metal bit and it locked. Thanks a lot to everyone that helped. Last edited by blitter2; Jan 21, 2011 at 10:06 PM.