I replaced the pull chain on my 3-speed ceiling fan and forgot to write down the color coding of the wires going into the switch. The switch is marked 1,2,3,L. The wire colors are; black, orange, yellow, purple. Where to they go?

Try:

Orange - L
Black - 1
Yellow - 2
Purple - 3

And see if it works.

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)