I replaced one of these fans a couple years ago, but the switches on the wall no longer control the unit and it must be controlled from the chains. The new fans all come with three wires, and the older fans I'm replacing have 4 wires going to them. What is the proper way to adapt to this so the switches still control the light?

Did some of these fans have a light kit while other had none? If your new fan has a light it has more than 3 wires. You must give us more detailed and accurate info so we can help you. Do you know why the switch can't control the fan/light?

The fan is a hunter ceiling fan that I installed and it does have a light as well but the fan has 3 wires I swear - hot, neutral and ground. There were 4 wires coming into the box and two switches which controlled the old fan (just the light, not the fan speeds). Right now neither of the switches do anything but I did leave one of the four wires not connected in the box. The next fan I need to replace is also controlled by two switches, and there's also a dial to set the fan speed next to one of the switches... I was just hoping for some generic information on how to replace the older 4 wire fan style with these newer ones with 3 wires. It seems like this should be a common occurrence but maybe it's more complicated than I initially thought..

I'm going to remove the fan when I get a chance this evening and re examine the wiring just to confirm. Stand by

What make are the old fans?

Do the new fans have remotes?

Ceiling Fan Wiring, Ceiling Fan Wiring Technical Help, Do it Yourself (DIY) - Ceiling Fans N More