[pathastings]

The bathroom vent fan in my boy's bathroom stopped working. When you turn on the switch it does nothing. I opened up the cover and noticed a ton of dust. So I cleaned it out and tried again, but nothing happened. It seems not be getting any power or the motor may be dead. The light switch next to the fan switch works.

[KISS]

Many bathroom fans use impeadance protected motors, which means, the motor doesn't die even if the shaft is held stopped. What usuallly stops the fan is friction, dust etc. Try turning the blades by hand with the power off. You need to clean carefully. You might have to disassemble to motor. Use WD-40 to clean.

[labman]

Check the switch connections. The push in ones often go bad, back stab.

[donf]

Many bathroom fans use impeadance protected motors, which means, the motor doesn't die even if the shaft is held stopped. What usuallly stops the fan is friction, dust etc. Try turning the blades by hand with the power off. You need to clean carefully. You might have to disassemble to motor. Use WD-40 to clean.

Before you start tearing a motor down, make sure it is not the switch. Don't assume because the light switch works so does the fan, even if the fan and light are on a split switch.

Take a moment and place a Volt meter on the switch. Look for the wire connected to the switch that is always hot. Once you have that wire check for either a continuation of the black wire or a white wire hooked to the switch. With the black lead from the meter connected to the Soure line and the red lead from the meter connected to the ground wires verify that you have power to the switch. If you do, turn the switch off and move the black probe to the connect for the output of the switch. Turn the switch on. Does the meter needle move? Last test I would run is on the wire feeding the motor on the fan. When you work the switch, does the needle on the meter deflect (move) if it does, then you should have power being delivered to the fan. Next open the breaker and then proceede to pull the motor and clean it. Please do not spray the motor windings or the aramature of the motor with WD-40. Use the WD 40 very sparingly around the bearings.