View Full Version : Ceiling fan light switch replacement problem
bluesdawg
Feb 6, 2011, 10:06 AM
I have a ceiling fan with separate switches for the fan and the light. The fan is fine-or was before I tried to replace that light switch. I removed the old light switch and connected it exactly as it was. Now neither the fan or the light work. There are only 2 wires that come from the housing. One white and one blue. I connected white to white & the black switch wire to the blue. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
hkstroud
Feb 6, 2011, 12:11 PM
Assuming you are talking about the pull chain switch on the light fixture, nothing you do there should affect the fan. Must be something else wrong. Show picture.
ballengerb1
Feb 6, 2011, 12:19 PM
I assume you killed the breaker to do this work so start by confirming the breaker is in the on position. Also confirm power it leaving the breaker and reaching the unit.
bluesdawg
Feb 9, 2011, 03:29 PM
Hi hk,
Thanks for replying to my question. Today was the 1st time I've had to work on this problem. I checked all the connections. I'm getting power to everything but it still doesn't work. I know the breaker is good because other things on that circuit work fine. I took a couple of pics but I can't figure how to upload them. I don't know if they will help or not. I'm out of ideas here. It's a new switch and bulb socket. Any idea what's wrong?
Thanks
ballengerb1
Feb 9, 2011, 03:31 PM
You must confirm the power up inside the canopy. Put a test lead on black and the other on white , then turn the breaker on, got power?
bluesdawg
Feb 9, 2011, 03:33 PM
Hi hk,
Thanks for replying to my question. Today was the 1st time I've had to work on this problem. I checked all the connections. I'm getting power to everything but it still doesn't work. I know the breaker is good because other things on that circuit work fine. I took a couple of pics but I can't figure how to upload them. I don't know if they will help or not. I'm out of ideas here. It's a new switch and bulb socket. Any idea what's wrong?
Thanks
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bluesdawg
Feb 9, 2011, 03:35 PM
Yes everything has power including the inside of the bulb socket.
ballengerb1
Feb 9, 2011, 03:42 PM
I am confused, if you have power inside the socket then you will have light, unless your bulb is bad.
bluesdawg
Feb 9, 2011, 04:08 PM
That's what I thought. I put my tester in there and it beeped that the socket was live. I then took the bulb out and tried it in a lamp and the bulb is fine. I'm running out of options here.
ballengerb1
Feb 9, 2011, 04:27 PM
Me too, this makes no sense. Tester beeped, never had a tester that beeps. What brand/moedl tester are you using? Check the label.
bluesdawg
Feb 9, 2011, 04:35 PM
It's a GB Instruments circuit alert it beeps and a light flashes. I know that it works. Weird situation isn't it?
ballengerb1
Feb 9, 2011, 04:55 PM
You are using this to test a socket? Circuit Alert? Voltage Sensing Utility Knife (http://www.circuitalert.com/circuit_alert_products/voltage_sensor/CAM-10_electrician_voltage_sensor.html) It is to test for power but in a general area. Get yourself a tester with two leads and a light or an actual meter. This thing can be telling you there is power somewhere in the unit
bluesdawg
Feb 9, 2011, 05:48 PM
Really? I didn't realize that. Thanks for the info. I'll try again tomorrow.
hkstroud
Feb 9, 2011, 10:24 PM
When you say the tester beeped I assume that you are using a voltage sensor. Those things beep when they come close to voltage. They do not necessarily confirm contact. In other words you could have a broken connection, therefore not have a complete circuit. It would also would not give you any indication of a good neutral.
Suggest you purchase a small multimeter, $10 to $20. Begin by checking for voltage between center contact and screw shell of bulb holder.