My 10 year old ceiling fan just started having a strange problem. Normally when you pull the chain you get fast speed on 1st pull, medium speed on 2nd pull,slow speed on 3rd pull,off on 4th pull. All of a sudden I'm getting slow speed on the 1st pull,on the 2nd pull I'm getting fast speed in the REVERSE direction,the 3rd pull again REVERSES direction with medium speed,4th pull is off. When I reverse the summer/winter switch, it still goes through it's quirky progression but only this time it starts in the reverse direction. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem?

I have never seen a switch fail in this manner but it needs to be replaced. Use an OEM part, order on-line if you don't have a local source.

Sounds like a bad capacitor, actually, rather than the switch.

Leave the switch alone and check the capacitors first.

What make/model is the fan?

Ceiling fan capactors - troubleshooting and resources - Ceiling Fans N More (http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-capacitors.php)