I have a ceiling fan that is approximately 20 years old. I took out the speed control switch, and thought I remembered where the wires went. The switch has two holes per connection. It has Line, 1 2, 3. Apparently I didn't put the wires back correctly. I only get two speeds - high and low. There were two hot leads going into it and 3 wires coming from the speed control unit. Can you help a poor old want to be electrician?

I assumed that all switches are wired the same. This is not so! I solved my own problem by using an ohm meter. I put one lead in the line port and one lead in each of the position ports. By doing this, I found which position was high (first), medium (second), low (third)and off (no reading in any two ports). Then, I took readings from neutral to each of the colored wires that go to the motor. The lower the reading, the higher the speed. Anyway, I solved the mystery of the switch.

L 1 2 and 3 are always the same but different switches have different contacts. Some connect more than one for certain speeds. While this menthod might have worked in your case it won't work in every case. Most fans use capacitors to control speeds which will not give you the readings you are looking for in terms of resistance-speed.

For more information on pullchain replacement:

Ceiling fan pull chain replacement and repair - Ceiling Fans N More (http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-pullchain-replacement-and-repair.php)