Installed the old fan from the dining room in a Bedroom. During the install, I noticed the 3 speed FAN Switch housing was cracked and broken...
Everything had always run smoothly.

Bought a replacement switch at WalMart, with the same engravings, part numbers, etc. But the larger plastic half is red, instead of the grey color the old one had.

Moved the wires over pin for pin. The new switch doesn't work.

Removed it, and took my continuity meter (Ohm meter) and found out that the two switches are different in their electrical switching!

The old (Grey body) switch progressively adds each pin to the L (Load) pin.
So that it is 'OFF' ; 'L+1'; L+1+2'; L+2+3.

The new (Red body) switch only goes 'OFF'; 'L+1'; 'l+2'; 'L=3'.

So, even if a part LOOKS identical, even having the same part numbers on the castings, it might be different!

So, now, on to check out HD's stock!

Thanks for the info. It is tough helping people when there are so many ways to wire up a multiple speed fan.

But you went about it the right way. You made note of which wires connect to L, 1, 2, and 3.. . And then figured out which switch positions connect which wires together. Now all you have to do is find an L - 1 - 2+2 - 2+3 switch, if you haven't already. Try with www.ceilingfanparts.com if your local hardware store doesn't have it.

For more information on ceiling fan parts:

http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-parts.php

P.S. I would have super-glued the original switch