My ceiling fan crackles like a wire is loose and it struggles to rotate in eithor direction. I checked the wire connections which are fine. The lights still work, but when the fan struggles to turn the lights sometimes flicker. It's worked fine for at least 8 years. Is it just time for a new fan?

Do you see any smoke or any flame when the crackling occurs? Can you smell insulation burning? Did you check the conductors for any charring or burn marks?

Because the fan is struggling in either direction, I suspect that the capacitors that control the fan's directionality are starting to go toes up.

Given that the fan is eight years old, I personally would replace the entire unit.

Thanks donf. Guess ill be installing a new fan.