You can fix a broken fan yourself.
One day when you go to turn on your ceiling fan at the wall switch, the fan may not work. The problem (if it's not the fan unit itself) is going to be one of three things: a bad fuse or circuit, a bad switch or a short in the wiring the between the ceiling and the fan. Be methodical about figuring out which problem the fan has, starting with the simplest fix and moving to the more involved ones as needed.
Instructions
1. Check the circuit box to make sure the problem isn't a blown fuse or bad circuit. If you're unsure, then try pulling out the fuse or circuit and replacing it temporarily with one of the other ones.
2. Cut the power at the circuit box. Remove the wall switch by taking off the plate and removing the mounting screws with your screwdriver. Pull it out so it's dangling by its wires. Inspect the switch for any obvious signs of damage or burn marks.
3. Bypass the switch to see if the switch is the problem by unscrewing the two black wires from the sides of the switch and connecting those wires together with a wire nut. Turn the power back on. If the fan turns on, it means the switch is the problem. If the switch isn't the problem, skip to Step 5.
4. Turn the power back off. Disconnect the two black wires from each other and connect them to the side of the new switch with the two mounting screws. Wrap the connections in electrician's tape. Connect the bare copper grounding wire from the electrical box to the green grounding screw on the switch. Re-install the switch in the box, turn on the power and test the fan.
5. Check the fan wiring itself if the switch is not the problem. Make sure the power is off. Climb your ladder to the fan and unscrew the mounting screws that hold it there. Carefully set the fan on top of the ladder so you can access the wiring.
6. Unscrew each wire connection. Generally, there will be one black wire from the fan connected to one black wire from the ceiling, two white wires similarly connected, and a bare copper wire from the ceiling connected to a green grounding screw on the fan.
7. Cut 1/2 inch off the ends of each of the wires from the fan and the ceiling, then strip another 1/2 inch of insulation off the ends using you wire strippers. Reconnect the wires in their original configuration, using wire nuts and wrapping the connections in electrician's tape. Re-mount the fan to the ceiling and turn on the power. If it still doesn't work, then you need a new fan.
Tags: switch problem, wire from, from ceiling, , mounting screws