Appliance: Hunter ceiling fan; Problem: Zing Ear pull chain switch #ZE-268S6
The pull chain broke inside the switch. I replaced the broken chain but then
Couldn't put the switch back together correctly.

The switch consists of two halves: one side with the electrical connections,
Which appear to be fine, and the other side with the mechanical switch
Assembly contained in a light green plastic "housing" with a small fixed tube
In the center. The tube has one narrow slot that goes from top to bottom.

A small wire spring fits over the tube. One end of the wire is bent at a right
Angle towards the center of the spring. This end fits over the tube, with the
End of the wire held in place horizontally by the slot. The top end of the
Wire is bent outwards at a right angle.

Next is a small clear plastic piece with a center hole that slides about 1/8"
over the wire & fixed tube; the end of the wire that is bent outwards fits
into a slot on the plastic piece and is held in place on that side of the plastic
piece. On this same side, two links of the pull chain pop into two ball shaped
openings. On the other side, there is a small tube shape over the center hole
with 4 small ramps/teeth that fit into the matching ramps/teeth on the
electrical half of the switch.

Between the mechanical and electrical halves is a flat black plastic piece
with a center hole (tube shape with teeth fits thru this); one ramp/tooth that
goes on the mechanical side; and two kind of Y-shaped projections that stick
out on the other side & that fit into matching slots in the electrical half.

When the chain is pulled, it's supposed to turn the clear plastic piece, which
in turn, switches the electrical side to the 4 different positions. My problem is
that the pull chain doesn't "rebound" or click to the next position. So my fan
Works on the one position the switch is stuck in. Do I need to wind up the
Spring with extra chain? I haven't been able to figure out how the black plastic
Ramp/tooth fits against the clear plastic piece. I'm sure it's something simple,
But I'm not getting it. Can anyone help me, please?

If you sent me a picture, I might understand exactly what you have.

The chain wraps around the center one time before exiting the assembly.

Ceiling fan pull chain replacement and repair - Ceiling Fans N More

Thanks for your reply! I'll try wrapping the chain one full time around
The center. I tried that before, but I also turned the center piece
Which put tension on the spring. The center piece unwound before I
Could get the top back on. If that doesn't work, I'll send a picture.

Get a new switch. It's much easier and less frustrating.

Spring may need to be wound tighter, and/or hooked on different position.

I agree. But sometimes it's hard to find the exact switch you need, since they all look the same but many are different.

Sometimes it's good just to walk away for a bit when you're stuck
On a project. Well, the recent hot weather prompted me to try
Again. I reassembled the switch with the chain wrapped around
The center one full time. The switch worked unreliably and was
Rather "clunky" in its action. I took it apart again and wound the
Spring slightly to increase tension in case that was the source of
The sluggish response. Put it back together and IT WORKS!

Thanks to "ceilingfanrepair" and "Stratmando" for wading through
My non-technical lingo and for providing suggestions; it really
Helped. Thanks also to "KeepItSimpleStupid." I know I could've
Saved time and it would've only cost a few bucks to order the part,
But I wasn't ready to throw in the towel yet.

Glad you got it working!

That was the trick! You have to wind the chain back around counter-clockwise to get the resistance from the spring. The was some difficulty keeping the chain from slipping back underneath the white plastic piece but once it was on the part was fixed.

Thanks to everyone for answering this question. You saved me a 40min drive and however much at Home Depot.

Good you toughed it out, When a chain breaks, many times the switch is still good. Getting the correct switch can be more difficult than dissassemby and reassembly, worse that can happen is you search for a new switch.

I have the same problem-- need piece by piece put together help

Well Cassie solved her problem and explained her solution. Read the rest of her thread. If that doesn't help, read the part where I said I needed pictures in order to provide more information.

Or, just replace the pullchain. What make is the fan?

Ceiling fan pullchain replacement and repair - Ceiling Fans N More

Kosmokoski,

Thanks Casie P and ceiling fan repair. The spring popped out when I was disassembling the unit and I was wondering how the return action was going to work. Also the tip about winding one time was extremely helpful.

Thanks again

Did you get it working?

Gentlemen, I had the same issue. Chain broke inside the switch. Took it apart, installed new chain but could NOT get it to work right. Followed your advice, and wrapped it around once. Gave it a good hard tug and SHAZAM... works like a charm. The key is the extra loop around the center post, and then tugging it past the small "cam" until it seats in the right spot. Thanks so much for your post(s). Saved me $6! I hate to buy what I can fix...

Can anyone tell me where can I buy a zing ear switch in Singapore?

How do you open the switch? I have a Hunter Fan, ze608s5-1 4 speed fan pull chain switch/5 wires/5 holes/ L & 1,2,3,4. Same thing the chain broke off in the switch. The switch looks like it is riveted together. Is there a trick to it?

I've googled it and can't find where to buy the switch except Zing Ear in Shanghai, but there's no cart. Even Ken's Electronics doesn't have it.

You can get a new swich from Hunter @ 1-888-830-1326. Need the model # which is a 5 digit # starting with a 2. It will be on top of motor housing.

Thanks.. I ended up ordering the fan switch assembly, drilling a hole in the bottom of it (redesigning the angle) and it's working fine now. They wouldn't let me order the switch only. But the assembly was I believe only about $20.

Never tried the rivited ones, many have plastic that snaps together, which is likely the ones many are talking about.
You did good.