Removed ceiling fan, trying to replace w/light fixture-need help

Mikedks

Ok, I removed the ceiling fan/light combo in my kitchen several months ago. If I remember correctly, the fan worked on a wall light switch(no dimmer) and the light was a pull chain. Now am trying to convert to a standard light on the same switch. The wires in the box are confusing and was hoping for electrical advice.
It goes like this, three 14/2 gauge romex wires in this particular junction box, one I can trace, the other two, no luck.
Wire 1, the one I can follow, traces to another junction box, connections are white/white, black/black, ground, wire then goes to
light switch, no other wires in that junction box.

-Wire 1
-black lead attached to a blue wire and attached to fan.
-neutral white attached to black lead on wire 2

-Wire 2
-black lead-see above
-neutral white attached to #3 neutral white and attached to fan.

-Wire 3
-black lead connected by pigtail to wire's 1 & 2 black/white connection. a black lead was spliced into that and ran to the fan.

Am confused because junction box seems to have constant power, whether switch is on or off. Is this wired specifally for the fan and I would need to redo?. Or why won't switch work?

Please advice. thx

Mikedks

my gut tells me that this configuration would work fine if I redid the second hot lead and did a basic hot/hot, neutral/neutral, ground and made sure switch is correct and working.

mdshunk

This cable is your "switch loop". The black wire is coming from the switch, and is the "switched hot" turning on the light. The white wire is NOT a neutral in this cable. It is connected to the hot wire in wire 2 to go down to the switch.

This is the hot feed cable into that box.

This is just another hot wire leaving that box to somplace else, and doesn't concern you.

Mikedks

I suppose that makes sense.

But can I undo the "switch loop" and wire a light normally.

or do I need a professional?

mdshunk

Wow... I can just barely believe what I'm reading.

Yeah, you definately need to hire a pro.

crecore

Let me try in a different way... your power comes into the box where your fan was... (not to the switch first like it sounds like you're used to), The hot then runs to the switch and back to the same box to power the fan. In order to due this legally the white wire of the 14-2 becomes hot to the switch and the black is the switched hot which returns to the fan (light). So my guess is that you just wired the switch backwards. If this doesnt make sense than yes you should get an electrician.

Mikedks

THIS IS HELPFUL

Crecore:thank you
and let me explain, first, I have not wired anything, only removed ceiling fan and want to put in a light. I am not an expert, and believe the fan was wired incorrected to begin with. Trying to undo what was there, also have al DIY book, not very helpful for this wiring job. Looking for HELPFUL advice, and I think you have given it to me.
thx

Mikedks

THIS IS NOT HELPFUL

ITS A DIY FORUM- DO IT YOURSELF!!!!!!
You want to help, great.

You want to deride my DIY skills, GET LOST!

If thats your idea of help...

mdshunk

Thank you for your opinion. Please PM me with the name of your favorite charity.

RYANINMICHIGAN

This was a very short and interesting thread. Md you were very thorough

Mikedks

Am confused because junction box seems to have constant power, whether switch is on or off. Is this wired specifally for the fan and I would need to redo?. Or why won't switch work?

Ok, so three of you have explained the "switched loop" to me, assume now that I get it, which I do.

Again, I have not touched anything, but is switch miswired somewhere?,
is always hot and will not turn off power to anything, that was and is the gist of my question.

Thank you if anyone choses to reply