I have a ceiling fan and light attached to three wall switches. One wall switch is a dimmer and controls the fan (works fine). The other two switches control the light. One of these is a single pole switch and the other is a dimmer. After a few years of use the light stopped working, so I decided I would upgrage my fan and light fixture while testing all wires.

I tested all wires for voltage and all worked as expected when the various switches were adjusted. After hooking up the new fan and light, the light still does not work. I tested the blue and white wires inside the light fixture and got the expected 110 volts with the throw of either switch controlling the light. What could possibly cause the lights to not illuminate even though voltage with no load connected is fine? Has anyone seen this before? I would think faulty light, but both light fixtures had the same problem. I searched for hours for a similar question, but have found nothing on any boards. HELP!

What make/model was the fan?

What color wires did you have in the ceiling?

For troubleshooting, remove the dimmer from the wall and replace it with an ordinary wall switch.

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Originally Posted by jsoper

I have a ceiling fan and light attached to three wall switches. One wall switch is a dimmer and controls the fan (works fine). The other two switches control the light. One of these is a single pole switch and the other is a dimmer. After a few years of use the light stopped working, so I decided I would upgrage my fan and light fixture while testing all wires.

I tested all wires for voltage and all worked as expected when the various switches were adjusted. After hooking up the new fan and light, the light still does not work. I tested the blue and white wires inside the light fixture and got the expected 110 volts with the throw of either switch controlling the light. What could possibly cause the lights to not illuminate even though voltage with no load connected is fine? Has anyone seen this before? I would think faulty light, but both light fixtures had the same problem. I searched for hours for a similar question, but have found nothing on any boards. HELP!

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Thanks for your response ceilingfanrepair. It appears that I may have a worn out dimmer switch. I took a single pole single throw switch from another room and put it in place of the dimmer switch and THERE WAS LIGHT!

I will buy a new dimmer tomorrow to see how it works.

I thought you said the dimmer controls the fan? Dimmer switches can not be used with fan motors.

Ceilingfan, can you explain further the part about "Dimmer switches can not be used with fan motors" I have several fans without remotes that have pull chains and a wall mounted double dimmer for fan speed and light. Thanks, Bob

A dimmer can be used with a fan light, if it is not CFL bulbs, but not with a fan motor. Doing so is a fire hazard. It usually won't work at all.

See:

Ceiling fan remote controls - help and FAQ- Ceiling Fans N More

Well I must assume what I have is a Capacitor-stepped wall controls but there really is not much of a step, slides all the way but its made for the fan. Thanks, Bob

Does it have distinct speeds or is it infinitely variable?

Its at my cabin and I won't know until Sat. Never really paid much attention but I'll find out.