[9crimes]

I attempted to change the switch inside my ceiling fan in the upstairs bedroom. I removed the lights and cover to expose the switch. We had some issues and the breaker was not turned off (everyone is ok) but the wires are still exposed until we can get the tools to re-wire and place the lights back on.

The switch that turns the fan lights on, also turns the fan itself on. We have accidently hit it a few times, resulting in a popping noise coming from somewhere else in the house when it was turned back off.

Now, as of yesterday, the light fixture in the kitchen is no longer working. The switch still makes a buzzing noise when pressed downwards, which tells me there is still electricity going to the light switch. I already checked the bulbs and they are not burn out. Every other light in the house works (minus this one and of course, the fan lights).

I have a bad feeling that the popping noise I was hearing was this kitchen light. My question is:

-could the breaker have tripped?
-could it have been this light that was popping?
-is this a potential fire hazard right now?
-could the light fixture itself have 'busted'?

Any help would be wonderful.

 

[Saturday Cowboy]

sounds like you shouldn't be doing your own electrical work. GFI maybe?

 

[9crimes]

sounds like you shouldn't be doing your own electrical work. GFI maybe?

A bit late for that.

I just want to know the cause to determine if it's something minor, or something that needs an electrician.

Or, for someone to point me in the right direction of what it could be.

 

[sirsparksalot]

What all did you do within the fan/light's wiring box? I assume this "popping noise" wasn't an issue before you tried to replace the fan switch?

My guess is that you shorted one of the wires in the fan housing, and it may have burned some wire elsewhere, which is where the popping noise is.

I think you should have an electrician look at it.

 

[9crimes]

What all did you do within the fan/light's wiring box? I assume this "popping noise" wasn't an issue before you tried to replace the fan switch?

My guess is that you shorted one of the wires in the fan housing, and it may have burned some wire elsewhere, which is where the popping noise is.

I think you should have an electrician look at it.

All I did was disconnect the wires connected to the fan pull switch, from the wires coming from the fan itself. All the wire ends have plastic connectors on them so they can snap on and off.

I think you're right. Our conclusion right now is to check the breaker first to be sure one didn't trip. And once we put the fan together and see if its light works, we will see what to do about the kitchen light. If the kitchen light continues not to work we'll have to bring in an electrician. If neither work, again, electrician.

I just find it so strange that a fan in the upstairs of the house is somehow connected to a light in the downstairs kitchen which is a world away..

 

[sirsparksalot]

Just because you may have created a short doesn't mean that the breaker tripped. My advise is to turn that particular breaker off (if it isn't already) until you get an electrician there.

Popping noises would keep me awake at night.

 

[9crimes]

Just because you may have created a short doesn't mean that the breaker tripped. My advise is to turn that particular breaker off (if it isn't already) until you get an electrician there.

Popping noises would keep me awake at night.

It's not doing the popping any more. It was only doing it if we flicked the fan light switch by accident. Now it seems to have stopped, coincidentally, at the same time the light fixture in the kitchen stopped working.

I would right now but it's 3am and the breaker is where the in-law suite is, and there is a couple living there. Tomorrow awaits!

 

[sirsparksalot]

It's not doing the popping any more. It was only doing it if we flicked the fan light switch by accident. Now it seems to have stopped, coincidentally, at the same time the light fixture in the kitchen stopped working.

I would right now but it's 3am and the breaker is where the in-law suite is, and there is a couple living there. Tomorrow awaits!

I know what you're saying, but if you aren't prepared to find the problem yourself, and/or you can't do it tonight, I'd still shut off that breaker until you can work on it. You have probably shorted something, and it has caused some bad insulation in another area (possibly the kitchen light). I wouldn't leave it that way.