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View Full Version : Ceiling fan light works but fan doesn't


Mickey12345
Sep 1, 2014, 04:33 PM
Ceding fan light works but there is no other switch on fan. No chain either. Fan hangs from ceiling has five blades then light with glass cover and nut to hold cover. Cannot see any other switch. There is a wall switch that tuns light on but not fan. How can I make this fan work?

ma0641
Sep 1, 2014, 08:02 PM
If there is a single power feed, you either have a loose or not connected fan wire in the ceiling box or the fan is bad.

drtom4444
Sep 3, 2014, 10:02 AM
You will need to test it with a good digital multimeter. Turn off the power to it and take the wires loose from power and to the fan motor. Turn on the switch to fan and with meter set to "ohms" see if you have about zero ohms (The same as you get by touching the two leads on meter together.). If you get continuity in the switch test the motor by reading between the wire that supplies power (The one you took loose from the switch.) and neutral from the motor. You should get between 100-300 ohms or so. Then test to see if you get a reading between one of the fan motor wires and ground by putting one lead on a motor wire and one on the metal case of the motor, taking care not to let the other wire touch anything. If you read anything to ground then the motor is bad or one of the wires is grounded and needs repairing. You will know from these tests whether the motor or the switch is bad, or neither. Here are some manuals to help: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/How%20to%20Diagnose%20and%20Fix%20Everything%20Ele ctronic.pdf
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/How%20to%20use%20Test%20Equipment%20Service%20Manu al.pdf
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/Electrical%20Theory%20and%20Diagnosis%20of%20Major %20Appliances%20Service%20Manual.pdf
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/Hunter_Instll%2BInstructions.pdf
You need a good meter to repair any electrical devices in your home (or on a car). You will find a good set here: Klein Tools Electrical Analog Multimeter Test Kit-69149 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Electrical-Analog-Multimeter-Test-Kit-69149/204367271) or Gardner Bender 4-Func 14-Range Manual Digital Multimeter-GDT-3190 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-4-Func-14-Range-Manual-Digital-Multimeter-GDT-3190/202867883?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1-2-_-NA-_-202867883-_-N#specifications)
It's a good idea to buy a meter that has automatic protection in case you touch a hot wire while it's on "ohms." You will have to ask the sales people if it has automatic protection or a fuse. Either one works but if are are new to using a meter automatic protection is better since at times the right fuse can be hard to find and you will one day blow one; everyone does.