Question
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Apr 3, 2006, 03:58 PM
| | New Member  | | Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 7
| | | Problem with ceiling fan or the remote?
I have read everything I can find regarding problems with ceiling fans but haven't found an answer to my question. My ceiling fan which I bought 1 1/2 years ago quit working entirely. Unfortunately, I can't find the manual (or the receipt). How do I know whether it's a problem with the remote or with the fan itself, such as the motor? I've read suggestions to "bypass the remote" to check if the fan is working but I have no idea how to do this. If the fan itself is working, I'd rather control it with a pull chain than to buy a new fan and pay to have it installed (I'm a single semi-non-mechanically inclined female). Can someone tell me how I can determine what the problem is and if it's not the fan motor, how to bypass the remote so I can run the fan manually? I live in Galveston, Texas, and it's essential to have a fan most of the year! Thanks in advance. 
Donna
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Answers
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Apr 4, 2006, 11:46 AM
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#3
| | New Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 7
| Neither the lights nor the fan will work using the remote. There is not an indicator light on the remote that would show it was working, so I can't tell if it is or not. However, the receiver for the remote is in the attic and is not in the fan casing itself, so it's easily accessible. I just don't know how to wire the fan bypassing the remote control to see if the fan is broken or if the remote is. Thank you for writing.
DD |
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Apr 4, 2006, 12:03 PM
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#4
| | | Electrical & Lighting Expert
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 5,123
| You're on the right track!
Chances are there are 5 wires going to the remote receiver. A black and white from the "house", and a black, white, and blue from the fan. Connect the two whites together, and the black, black, and blue together. This should effectively bypass the remote receiver. To confirm your wiring you can check: Ceiling fan wiring - Ceiling Fans N More
The only problem is, if the fan then works, you wont know if the problem was with the remote itself or the receiver. You might want to first try a universal replacement remote. | |
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Apr 4, 2006, 02:20 PM
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#5
| | New Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 7
| Now that is a thought (trying a universal remote)! If I can get one ASAP I will certainly give that a try first. Thank you so much for the simplified wiring instructions to bypass the remote receiver. I did print out the information on the link that you listed, but your suggestions summed it up in simple terms. It's pretty hot here in Texas and a fan is a necessity, and preferable to paying the electric company a small fortune. Thanks again!
Donna | |
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Apr 4, 2006, 02:31 PM
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#6
| | | Electrical & Lighting Expert
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 5,123
| If the problem turns out to be the fan, go back to the link for troubleshooting that I gave you.
Lastly, since both the fan and light are not working, it's possible it could be an issue with the wiring to the fan. If you have a voltage tester you might want to check the supply while you're up there disconnecting the receiver. | |
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Apr 4, 2006, 02:34 PM
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#7
| | New Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 7
| Though I'm not certain, I think my handyman told me the wires were 'hot'. It seemed a big coincidence that after he put some flooring down in my attic, the fan quit working but he insists it wasn't anything he'd done while he was working in the attic. I'll be sure to let you know if I can solve the problem! I like to try to do things myself....! | |
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Apr 4, 2006, 02:44 PM
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#8
| | Electrical & Lighting Expert
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 5,123
| How soon after the work was done did the fan quit working? It sounds like something may have come disconnected, especially as the receiver is supposely mounted in the open in the attic with the connections exposed. This is why connections are supposed to be made inside an electrical box. | |
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Apr 4, 2006, 03:05 PM
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#9
| | New Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 7
| Well, it worked twice after the first handyman finished working in the attic (then took off with my money and never came back). Then I believe it quit working before the 2nd handyman started, so that may not be a possibility after all, but I'm not positive. I'll really have to think about the time line...! | |
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Apr 4, 2006, 03:08 PM
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#10
| | Electrical & Lighting Expert
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 5,123
| Dont think too hard-- try the things we've discussed. But before you spend any money, that's when we figure out if the handyman is to blame. | |
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