Hi. Hampton ceiling fan/lights. Sometimes the lights begin to flicker and go out for a few seconds, then come back on. Also, the fan doesn't work after about 4 years of operation. When the fan is turned on by the remote, I simply get a humming noise. I'm not real handy electrically. I took things apart and see no loose wires or anything obvious. Thanks

You say the electrical connections appear OK. Several possibilities exist depending how the fan is wired. 1) A wall switch controls the lights & the remote controller (mounted with the fan) is wired to a separate always hot line; 2) the controller wired via the switch which is aways left on, and the lights controlled by the remote or a switch on the fan; or 3) the controller is wired directly to a constant hot with the lights controlled by remote or fan. A defective wall switch, with worn contacts,etc. may be the problem with the lights if wired per #1, or both lights & motor if wired per #2. Check the remote batteries? The remote itself may be shot-uses a microprocessor or the remote controller located up with the fan may be defective. This also is a miroprocessor device which obviously is wired to the motor and maybe the lights too, if that's the way you have it set up. The only way I know to check this is disconnect the controller hot wire to the motor (and lights also, if applicable) and measure the voltage voltage output at the controller. If you don't have a voltmeter, temporarily bypass the controller by connecting the line in hot wire directly to the fan and see if the motor works. If everything checks out, it's time for a new fan-not a Hampton Bay- as evidenced by all the negative posts :eek:

Does the fan have pullchains or switches or anything to control it besides the remotes?

There are a lot of things you need to check, including how the fan is wired, whether the remote works, and whether something is wrong with the fan itself.

Here are links to three troubleshooting pages. One is for wiring information, another for remote information, the third for the fan itself once both of those options have been eliminated.

http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/c...fan-wiring.php
http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/c...e-controls.php
http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/c...ng-and-FAQ.php

The flickering lights sounds like a remote problem, or possibly a wiring problem. But the fan humming when you turn it on, as opposed to cutting on and off, or not coming on at all.. . Makes me wonder about some of the factors in the general troubleshooting, such as.. . Do the blades turn freely by hand?

Try as much of the suggestions mentioned as you can, and report back.