Q&A for How to Replace a Ceiling Fan Pull Chain Switch

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Question

If the chain just came off in my hand do I have to buy a new switch or can I just put the chain back on?

Community Answer

This happened to me 3 days ago. I had to buy a new 3-speed ceiling fan switch as the chain that broke will NOT go back in the switch. You'll need a big paper clip to get the wires in the terminal as per the directions that came with the one I bought from Lowe's.

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Question

How do I know if the fan switch is working?

Community Answer

You will need a power tester with a light. Check each terminal for power with the switch on and off -- if it lights up when you turn the switch on, it is a good switch.

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Question

We want to connect a 3-speed wall switch to replace the chain-pull switch on our ceiling fan. At some point there was a switch for a light, which was removed. There are 4 black wires inside the wall with wire nuts on them. The new 3-speed switch has 2 black wires. How can we tell what we are supposed to connect?

Community Answer

2 of the wires were for the light and 2 for the fan. You will need a voltage tester light to see which ones are power, unless 2 or 3 of the black wires are wired together, then those would be the power and the other black wires would be for the fan or light.

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Question

My pull chain is threaded through the threaded stock that holds the light cover on, where is the switch? How do I get to it?

CageyCat

Top Answerer

First, turn off the breaker or fuse for this electrical area. Remove the light cover. Look for screws that hold the light plate in. Keep one hand below the plate and hold onto it as you unscrew the screws. Hand the screws to someone, or drop into a pants' pocket. The unit you are looking for will be inside the housing.

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