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-   -   Lights/ceiling fan turning on by themselves (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=378956)

  • Jul 23, 2009, 09:58 AM
    sjohnson141
    Lights/ceiling fan turning on by themselves
    Hi,

    I know this has been asked before but not recently (that I see) so I'll bring up this subject again.

    I live in a townhouse that is approximately 15 years old and I've lived there for almost 10. Over the last year or two, the bedroom light (which is part of a ceiling fan has come on - stays on or blinks - it's done both) all by itself in the middle of the night (fan running) or the fan has gone from medium to high (both light on and light off).

    Last night after we'd gone to bed, the living room light came on after about 30 minutes and then again around 2:30 this morning.

    The light switches are of the toggle type. In the bedroom there are two toggles on the switch one runs the light/fan (has a battery operated remote as well) and the other is for a outlet on the other side of the bedroom. The living room switch has three toggles one for the porch light, one for the foyer light and one for the living room lights. There is a second switch for the living room lights on the other side of the room.

    Wife says this only happens when we watch these new ghost "reality shows", LOL. While that would be really interesting, my main concern is fire.

    So what should I do? Is this something that I can fix myself by replacing the old switches with new... checking the wiring on the ceiling fan... call an electrician? Or should I enlist the services of PRS, Chip Coffee and Ghost Hunters? (LOL.. the last was a joke)

    Oh and sorry for being so long winded...
  • Jul 23, 2009, 10:00 AM
    sjohnson141
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by sjohnson141 View Post
    Hi,

    I know this has been asked before but not recently (that I see) so I'll bring up this subject again.

    I live in a townhouse that is approximately 15 years old and I've lived there for almost 10. Over the last year or two, the bedroom light (which is part of a ceiling fan has come on - stays on or blinks - it's done both) all by itself in the middle of the night (fan running) or the fan has gone from medium to high (both light on and light off).

    Last night after we'd gone to bed, the living room light came on after about 30 minutes and then again around 2:30 this morning.

    The light switches are of the toggle type. In the bedroom there are two toggles on the switch one runs the light/fan (has a battery operated remote as well) and the other is for a outlet on the other side of the bedroom. The living room switch has three toggles one for the porch light, one for the foyer light and one for the living room lights. There is a second switch for the living room lights on the other side of the room.

    Wife says this only happens when we watch these new ghost "reality shows", LOL. While that would be really interesting, my main concern is fire.

    So what should I do? Is this something that I can fix myself by replacing the old switches with new...checking the wiring on the ceiling fan...call an electrician? Or should I enlist the services of PRS, Chip Coffee and Ghost Hunters? (LOL..the last was a joke)

    Oh and sorry for being so long winded...

    Forgot to add that to my knowledge this has only happened at night.
  • Jul 23, 2009, 10:04 AM
    Newton1Law

    Fire is the concern here. Hire a professional, get the circuits checked as soon as you can. It appears you have at least on faulty switching system on the fan and perhaps the living room as well.
  • Jul 23, 2009, 10:07 AM
    sjohnson141
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Newton1Law View Post
    Fire is the concern here. Hire a professional, get the circuits checked as soon as you can. It appears you hav at least on faulty switching system on the fan and perhaps the living room as well.

    Thank you for the response. I'm assuming you mean the main circuits in the breaker box?
  • Sep 2, 2009, 10:03 PM
    ceilingfanrepair

    I'm assuming lights are coming on BESIDES just those that are remote-operated?

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