Ceiling fan won't turn off. archived

Sorry but it sounds like an electrician thing. I would imagine that the pull chain will have to be replaced.

depending on the brand and how handy you are you can get a replacement fan switch and install it.

Do like Homer Simpson and shoot it with a gun.

Tom, I was just gonna post "take a baseball bat to it."

Gracious gentlemen!!!

Reprehensible minds think alike?

You can buy a new ceiling fan with a light for around $50. A new switch may cost you around $20-$30. The fan is 2-3 years old and it's for the kitchen so it's not like you need a designer replacement. I would just buy another one.

Metalart, I just put 7 new fans in my house as part of my rewiring. None are spectacular, just Home Depot items, and most were about 120$. The cheapest ones I saw were $60, and might last a year.

This one was probably home depot. Spouse got it about 2 years ago. The one that was in before that had been in for over 20 years, more likely 30 or so. (It was old when we bought the house 20 years ago.)

Someone tell me a bit about replacing the "switch" that is attached to the pull-chain, please. (I do know that I'd have to shut off the electricity to that "box". Is flipping the circuit breaker sufficient?)

While I might buy another new fan for around $100, I'd still need to pay someone to install it which might just double the price. Aggravating to think that I should have to replace something that is only 2 years old.

We have the same problem-- the chain for the fan part broke off, and now for some reson the wall switch won't turn either the fan or the light off. To compound the problem, it seems that it is coming unmoored because there is a big wobble in it as it turns. As it is right over the bed and my vivid imagination imagines it crashing down on us like a prop plane kamikaziing us we have just managed to shut it off by positioning the on/off switch halfway, so it doesn't actually come on.

If you can replace the switch than installing a new ceiling fan is a breeze. Since it's only a few years old all your basically doing is a swap out and it should mount just like the old one did. The blades can be put on afterwards. Just make sure you turn off the power first.

munchies said:

We have the same problem-- the chain for the fan part broke off, and now for some reson the wall switch won't turn either the fan or the light off. To compound the problem, it seems that it is coming unmoored because there is a big wobble in it as it turns. As it is right over the bed and my vivid imagination imagines it crashing down on us like a prop plane kamikaziing us we have just managed to shut it off by positioning the on/off switch halfway, so it doesn't actually come on.

That's because when the pull strings have been used to turn the light or ceiling fan off, turning the switch back on will not work until the pull string is pulled again.

There are number of ways to wire a ceiling fan.

1) Wiring a ceiling fan just using the pull chains

2) Wiring a Ceiling Fan with One Switch

3) Wiring a ceiling fan with 2 switches

4) Wiring for a Ceiling Fan with a Switched Lght and a Pullstring Fan

5) Wiring a ceiling fan with a dimmer

Their may be other options but these are the most typical and are all fairly easy to hook up. @nakaille , it could be something as simple as a loose wire that's causing you trouble.

I am saying that the only thing that does not work is the pull chain for the fan. The wall switch works fine, supplying power to the entire unit. The light works fine, can be turned on and off via the pull chain or the wall switch. However, when there is power to the unit, the fan is on. The speed cannot be varied and it cannot be turned off except by using the wall switch to cut all power to the unit. Guess I will have to try to dissect the thing.

$3.61 - free instructions on the back!

http://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-77075-Speed-Switch-Chain/dp/B00002NAJQ/ref=pd_cp_hi_0/178-4361667-9635750

misterpeepers, thank you for posting that VERY helpful information. Not sure if I am up for doing this myself but at least I now have an idea of what I need to buy and do should I decide to tackle it.

Could the fan still be under warranty? You might get somewhere by calling the manufacturer and telling them what happened. Maybe they will stand behind their product and help you fix it, or even replace it? It's not right for a ceiling fan to break after only two years.

munchies,
I would do something about that fan. Having a loose fan over your bed is not good, even if it is off. If you can't deal with it now at least remove the glass canopy and light bulbs

nakaille - I'd imagine that part of the challenge would be in how difficult it is to disassemble the fan. I'd remove the bulbs and shades, just to be sure they don't get smashed. If you're lucky, there will be 2 or 3 screws around the "body" of the fan that will loosen and allow you to pop it open and expose the guts. Make sure the power is off! There's probably a "nut" of sorts holding the switch in place from the outside of the fan, so loosen that and the switch should slide out. At this point, maybe make a drawing or take a picture (or both) of the wiring, so you don't forget. Hopefully the switch is connected using twist-on connectors ("wire nuts") ergo there are wires that are part of the fan and then there are wires coming out of the switch and they are connected to each-other using the "wire nuts." Then it should be no biggie to un-twist the nuts, disconnect the wires from the old switch and re-do the connection using a new switch.

But then, it's somewhat absurd of me to sit here on my couch and tell you how easy it might be!

misterpeepers, you described the likely process in enough detail that I feel like I could probably do it. And the sooner the better as it is getting cold in here! I will try to locate the part locally and see if I can't do something with it quite soon. Thanks again! Your advice is exactly the kind I was looking for!

I have the same problem, only that I have no pull chains, but a remote control that no longer works. So the fan operates via the light switch and in order to turn on the light, the rotating fan comes with it. I ordered a new remote control through Lowe's (the only store in the area that stocks that brand of fans) and am waiting for it to come in the mail. Fingers crossed!

Fart, Belch, and scratch your butt......it's a sure fire way to turn off my wife. Maybe it will work with your fan.