Fix A Ceiling Fan Pull String

There's a moment of unease that one can experience when they tug the pull string on their ceiling fan and...nothing happens. No audible click, no spinning fan blades and no lights. When you pull the chain and you don't feel the switch make the connection, it is a sure sign that the switch is bad. Don't worry, this is an easy and inexpensive problem to fix.

Instructions

1. Turn off the circuit that delivers power to the ceiling fan.

2. Remove the three small screws that secure either the lighting assembly or the bottom cap (if the fan has no lights). Drop the lights carefully, as it can be heavier than it looks. For the easiest job, remove the glass bell shades and light bulbs.

3. Use the touch-type voltage tester to ensure that the power is off to the ceiling fan.

4. Locate the pull chain switch that controls the fan motor. This is located above the pull chain for the light assembly and it will usually have either three or four wires attached to it (depending on the model).

5. Remove any decorative pull chain dangles from the chain portion.

6. Remove the screw-on cap that secures the switch to the fan body. Then, pull the switch out of its hole.

7. Write in a notebook which color wires are inserted into which terminals on the switch. These terminals are pressure-types, meaning that the wires get pushed into the terminal and held in place by pressure.

8. Start removing each of the switch's wires. It sometimes helps if you give the wires a twist to get them out from under the pressure-producing tab. Or, sometimes pulling on them using needle-nose pliers will work best. If you simply cannot get the wires out easily, use the wire strippers to cut the wires as close to the switch as possible. If you cut the wires, strip about 3/4 inch of insulation from the ends of each wire.

9. Connect your wires if necessary: Depending on the brand of ceiling fan switch you purchased, it may or may not come with pre-installed wires. If so, simply make the connections by using a wire connector to connect two like-colored wires (black switch wire to black fan wire, gray to gray and so on). If there are no pre-installed wires, insert the wires in their proper slots.

10. Insert the pull chain through the hole on the side of the fan body until the threaded nipple is all the way out of the hole. Slide the cap up over the pull chain and secure it over the threads.

11. Push all of the ceiling fan's wires back up into the box and re-install the finishing cap or lighting kit assembly. Do so gently; be careful you don't pinch any wires when closing up the box.

12. Turn the circuit breaker back on, add your favorite decorative pull chain dangle and give the chain a tug. You should hear and feel the click and the blades should start rotating. Check for all three speeds to ensure proper wiring.

Tags: pull chain, decorative pull, decorative pull chain, lighting assembly, power ceiling, pre-installed wires, Turn circuit