Help fixing ceiling fan - DIY Chatroom

wylde8 · 11-06-2009, 02:52 PM

Anyone know how to diagnose a ceiling fan? I'm working with a fan where the lights work, but the fan doesn't spin. The fan switch has already been replaced and the connections seem good.

Before anyone says it, I know I could put up a new ceiling fan, but don't want to do it if this one can be fixed easily.

Clutchcargo · 11-06-2009, 04:35 PM

With a multi-meter, you should be able to trace where the problem is.

Thurman · 11-06-2009, 04:57 PM

wylde8--There are so many different problems that could be causing your fan not to work that someone would have to write many pages as to how to diagnose and repair your fan, if it can be repaired. I am not trying to discourage DIY work, but there comes a time with any project when help may be needed. That said: The first thing I would check is for proper electrical supply to the fan unit, you state that the light works, so there must be proper electrical supply to the unit. You state that the fan switch has been replaced, meaning the forward/reverse switch on the unit itself or maybe a wall mounted switch for ON/OFF, the fan speed switch, or maybe a wall mounted switch to control the fan speeds and direction of rotation. More info needed here. "Clutchcargo" suggests using a multi-meter to diagnose problems, that's fine if you are familar with multi-meters. ONE NOTE HERE: we are talking about working with an electrical appliance so SAFETY is important. Just grabbing wires and checking them may not be the best thing to do here. Checking the presence of input voltage, and for the correct voltage takes time to learn how to do. IF you have the proper input voltage, and you can by-pass the fan speed switch and the fan directional control switch, you can tell if the fan motor actually works. IF I'm getting this deep into fan motor troubelshooting, I remove the blades to check out the fan. It's better than being knocked off a ladder. More information is needed at this forum in order to help you with this. Good Luck, David

wylde8 · 11-06-2009, 05:35 PM

Let me clarify some. I've already disassmbled the fan. The fan uses a 4 wire switch (this is the switch that was replaced) and the fan can be run at three different speeds. There is one wire on the incoming side that is always hot. On one of the four settings (stop, low, medium, high) there is a hot wire that goes to the direction switch. On the other three settings, only the incoming wire to the fan switch is hot with no outgoing hot wires.

wylde8 · 11-09-2009, 01:44 PM

Let me ask this also. It would be pretty easy to bypass the switch and jump the fan motor straight to the power line to test it, but doing so would bypass the ballast as well. Do I need to run the voltage through the ballast to test the motor correctly?

wylde8 · 11-16-2009, 03:35 PM

Anyone? A fan isn't too complicated, so I'm sure someone has experience troubleshooting one.

Thurman · 11-16-2009, 09:49 PM

"but doing so would bypass the ballast as well" Do you actually mean the "run capacitor"? Some, most, ceiling fans do use a run capacitor. IF this capacitor goes out, a fan will not work. I, ME, have not found a way to test a run capacitor, although I have been told there is a way involving charging it and testing somehow. But-these capacitors are extremely hard to find in my experience. That is why most people will just throw the unit away and buy a new one. I have had, only a few, fan units that I can get to run if I start the blades spinning by hand. I am told that involves a "start capacitor" in the system. Not much difference as far as repair. We have what is considered a very good, locally owned, second generation electronics supply store here and they tell me those type capacitors are just too hard to get even though they are low priced. As I stated, using jumper wires to by-pass the speed selector switch can be done, but be careful of the blades. Spinning ceiling fan blades are not that dangerous, just as aggravating as my wife on Saturday night when I come in late.

Good Luck, David

joed · 11-16-2009, 11:08 PM

The capacitors I have seen that went bad were obvious. They were burnt. I have not been able to find them for replacement that didn't cost more than a new fan.

huhjkfgd · 11-17-2009, 05:30 AM

The fan uses a 4 wire switch (this is the switch that was replaced) and the fan can be run at three different speeds. There is one wire on the incoming side that is always hot

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wylde8 · 11-17-2009, 10:19 AM

You are correct. The piece I incorrectly referred to as a ballast is actually a capacitor. Visually, the capacitor doesn't look to have failed since it still looks brand new, but I have not run any tests on it with my multimeter. I'll try the idea of using a jumper wire and see where that gets me. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Ron6519 · 11-17-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huhjkfgd

The fan uses a 4 wire switch (this is the switch that was replaced) and the fan can be run at three different speeds. There is one wire on the incoming side that is always hot

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GO AWAY!
Ron

wylde8 · Yesterday, 01:58 PM

Bypassed the speed switch and the motor still didn't do a thing, so I'm thinking a full fan replacement is in order. Thanks for everyones help.