I had a fan speed switch break (the spring) in the 1st position (low) & still worked but ONLY at low. I have replaced the speed switches before & no problem. When I replaced the switch with a new one all it did was hum & only on the Hi position. I figured the switch was defective so I bought another one & same condition. Is the capacitor defective?

Are you buying OEM switches from the fan manufacturer? What brand fan do you have?

NOT buying oem switches but for what it's worth has samemarkings on switch & same directin L 1 2 3 counterclockwise. Hampton bay. I did try to find a spec sheet on hampton online but could not find any. I did find a "similsr" model switch by different manufacturer to check how it was wired-line load & capacitor-I CAN verify that the line & load is correctly wired & even tried reversing 2 of the capacitor wires to make sure. When I replaced the switch 1 try I did so 1 at a time. I also know that different switches can be wired differantly from the origanal, but hard to check internally without destroying the new one-LOL.

OH 1 more thing. There WAS a reversing switch at some point in the past, but it was broken & removed (You can see a small piece of plastic still attached to 1 screw still there). I know that would not affect the fan but wiring would be different then, wouldn't it?
Thankx

You don't have the correct switch.

What make is the fan?

See:

Ceiling fan pullchain replacement and repair - Ceiling Fans N More