Replace a 3-way 4 wire ceiling fan switch
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- čas přidán 14. 09. 2019
- There are lots of videos on ceiling fan switches, but here's one more. I hope it helps you. Let me know what you think. It's actually my first youtube video in this channel!
If you need to buy the switch: amzn.to/3E9GDP0
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that was a prefect tutorial my friend evn though a few of my wires were a different color, it was pretty easy to figure out once the l wire was installed......once again thanks....
Looks great, and with a brighter bulb installed that’s all the light you need. czcams.com/users/postUgkxWF88GpljEn-0o34vtLFazEQ5h5Q33SjU As far as ease of installation- this was my first ceiling fan and it took about 3 hours because I had no idea what I was doing and also it’s helpful to have a second set of hands and a magnetic drill bit. Works great.
*Great unit that’s easy to install and use. It’s relatively quiet compared to window units and **Fastly.Cool** , and it cools down our whole living room, side room and bathroom; which is a large space for any unit to cool.*
This video is about replacing the pull-switch on a ceiling fan. What are you talking about?
I appreciated it. I had messed up the speed order last time I replaced the switch, and your wire color identification allowed me to put it back right this time. Thanks. (Incidentally, it is a 30 year old Hunter fan).
You saved me much aggravation, I thought I plugged each wire to the correct spot by clocking my new switch to match the old one but, I only had one speed. When you showed the wires on your old switch I screen shot and blew it up, seeing I had L and 3 reverse of yours. I saw your old switch looked identical to mine so I figured I would match them. Your idea of taking the picture is sound and I have thought that before but have not made it a habit. Thank you much.
It worked perfect you told me everything I needed to know which I couldn’t find any other CZcams thank you so much!
Really helpful.
Just ordered a switch. Never had a clue how to install it. Thanks
Nice video. Clear instructions that get to the point. Thanks very much
It's more annoying when the chain breaks with the fan off and it's a million degrees inside the room.
So helpful, Gord!! Thanks! Going to try this tomorrow.
Straight to the point and great information....
Thank you so much for this video it gave me the confidence to replace my own.
thanks for video its something I need to do.
That was awesome! Thank you so much. You made it super simple.
I see below many people are complaining about not being able to insert wires into the switch. If you stripped the sheath from the old wire and you find that the wire is stranded type (not a thick single wire) then it will be difficult to push the wire into the switch because the stranded wire has no strength. You will have to coat the stranded wire with solder to bind them all together. Now the soldered end will have enough strength to be pushed into the switch.
doubtful that anyone who needs enough guidance to be watching this video is capable of soldering.
You can unplug that white rectangle plug and pull whole thing off from fan and wire it down on a table, then plug the white plug back in. Much easier to get the 4 wires in.
Thank you, Gord! I didn't know the wires would just pull out. You just saved me A LOT of work.
Edit: The wires didn't just pull out so I had to cut them and strip the insulation. Then, only one wire would go into its hole and catch in the new switch. The others wouldn't go in at all or wouldn't catch securely. I even disassembled the first switch I bought to see how the wires were supposed to be inserted.
So now, I have one good switch with one wire attached and nothing else that works. I even tried to make pigtails of short pieces of wire to stick in the vacant holes and the stiffer wires wouldn't go in either. After untold hours inventing and trying many strategies, I have discovered someone who sells the same switch with the wires already attached.
If that doesn't work, I'll have to get a new fan.
I'm having the exact same problem. After cutting the old one out, I have tried 2 different Zing Ears and I can't insert the wires. Just like you, I barely got one to connect. I even tried solid wire. Every video I watch, the person sticks the wires on with no problem. I'm so frustrated.
@@dozzee I wound up getting a new fan. I think it cost less than $70. Certainly not worth trying to save a few bucks repairing it myself - which has a cost for every switch I bought.
@olwill1 Well, I got the one you mentioned with the wires already installed. So, after 3 switches, different types of wire, a cracked light cover (I dropped a pair of pliers on it), and finally 15 minutes, I was done. I didn't care so much about the money of a new fan, the time to install it is what I was trying to avoid.
were did you find the switch with the wirea attached ?
I actually get it now thank you for the video
Great job and well done! Just like a Song by ABBA!
Satisfaction at the end..
Most helpful, Thank you!
Thank you it was very helpful
It helped me so much!!
THANKS DUDE!!!
Thank you. Mine broke about two weeks ago and I have been a bit intimidated messing with anything electrical. This helped.
Having two awkward thumbs I was able to complete this project. Getting those wires reconnected had me going round and round though.
Good and simple!😁
It's NOT THAT SIMPLE.
My wires are bending and not inserting
helped big time
Thanks. I pulled it apart and was going to use an old switch I had bought and didn't need, but it was two wire. This made life much easier seeing I didn't have to cut anything.
Just a thought..disconnect the entire bottom wiring cap of the fan. For Hunter brand fans this can be accomplished by simply unscrewing the 3 cap screws, pull the wiring cap down, and disconnect the block wire connector (all color coded for easy reassembly). Most good quality modern ceiling fans have this feature. Now you can do repairs without worrying about turning off your power or doing all of this above your head. Older fans may have wire nuts for power connections and you will have to turn off the power.
This is what I was thinking. I don't know that the fan I have is a Hunter but it probably is. I need to replace the 3-way fan switch. Much easier to work on it at ground level.
Thanks bro!!
Did this and tripped my in-laws whole house 😆 🤣 😂 anyway, I'm sure it works if you have modern electric wiring ie "to code" it was easy enough to install but it didn't work for us. Oh well, return parts buy new fan. I'm sure the 30 years old fan was ready for retirement anyway lol
before i move into condo, there was one knob switch . one for fan and other for lights. lights are not attached to fan it separate. After i move in i noticed electrician change switch to flip only, which operates lights only and fan is no longer working or any power going in? how can i fix this? by buying new 2 or 3 way switch or something?
If your Fan has recently been plugged in to Electrical Circuit - PLEASE look into the Housing of the Switch and you see a Rectangular Box, BEWARE - that is a Charged Capacitor!
I had the same problem as OWILL1, I could not get the wire to lock in place of the new switch. I can not find a new switch with the wires already attached.
Ty
Thank uuuu
I appreciate the video. Unfortunately he didn't show which holes on the switch the wires went into. The old switch is different.
You could’ve uncliped the light kit to make a easy installation
Make it easy on yourself and disconnect the quick disconnect and replace the switch on your kitchen table
my fan looks like yours but I found two capacitors after open the cover. My fan got two capacitors. A is 1.8uf 550V (got three wires, two grey, one red), B is 2.5 + 2.5 uf 250V (three wires, one grey, two other colors). I cannot find the replacement of A (two grey, one red). I am thinking two ways to solve the problems but not sure it is safe or correct, please give me advice. 1st : bought a three in one capacitor (4 wires) to replace the two capacitors. Is it safe? Is it same capable with the two capacitors? thank you
I'm sorry I don't know. Try to find a manual or documents about your fan model. DIY may not always be an option in my experience. But it's fun to try!
bought a 3 way switch to replace one that was removed and lost by previous owner. problem is the fan has 4 wires. black, purple, brown, and grey..the 3 way switch from home depot has 3 wires. black, blue and red. your vid helped me by noting numbers L-1-2 but I have no idea what to hook to purple wire, so I guess I will cap the purple wire. only now I cant tell what fast, and medium is, doesnt seem to have a low speed now
Sorry, hard to know what to suggest. Is there a manual you could download online for your fan model?
My wires won't push in and I returned the switch and got another of the same kind for a 3-way ceiling fan. Don't the wires just slide into the holes on the switch?
How does the existing wires come out of the switch? Do I just pull each out one by one? Also, do the existing wires just push in? Looking forward to your comment. Thank you
TO remove the wires, you need a little screwdriver used to release clips, usually looks like a screwdriver with a pointed end like an ice pick, but, the last couple of inches of ice pick is shaped like an "L" or a slight angle or wave. You can usually find them at an auto parts store like Auto Zone of the likes. You take the tip and shove it into the opening the wire goes into, when the "pick" is fully inserted in the hole, give a tug on the wire for that hole, and it should come right out. Do this for each wire. This will save lots of time cutting and re-stripping the wires. Hope this helps.
My wires were connected differently and when I went to replace them. I don’t have 3 speeds for the fan. Still working on the correct connection. Wires keep breaking when trying to pull out and put back in. Has not been as simple as in the video for me.
There are many types of switch. Maybe your fan is not the same. Try some other videos.
It my ceiling fan has 4 connections and thw switch has 3 connections can I still use it?
Try taking the switch you removed to the hardware store! Folks there can help match it.
Easier if you'd disconnected from lamp to change switch. I'm short on height.
Good information,thank you.
My uncle named Nelson had a harbor breeze Sutton place in his
Living and the fan chain and it’s nut broke off and the fan was stuck to off and it was annoying
Same story, but forgot to photo the wires. Thanks.
I try to replace the fan 3 way switch but I pull the wires out now I don't know where the wires go I have black purple brown gray please help me
It's hard to know. See if you can find a pdf manual of your fan online. Trial and error might work. Just keep notes of what you tried. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Check the black one while power is on. Is it 110Vac? Then it is the one that goes to the "L" for LINE.
How to turn off the spinning...tried to pull the string four times and the fan is not stopping
Flip the wall switch off
Didn't work for me. I push the wires in and they get crushed. Doesn't lock in. Must be doing something wrong.
Or a different switch design. Does it open?
Same thing here.
Wires are too flimsy and are bending. I can't advance them into the POS replacement part
What if you snipped the wires to take old switch out? No way those stranded wires are clipping into the new switch!
You'll have to splice in new wire. Probably some good videos on here if you need help.
I think I like the concept but I think it would become annoying having one of these switches installed in my phone....
I noticed that medium is more like another low. You must have used a wrong pull chain switch. Not all 4 wire pull chain switch are the same. It seems like original one would have gone L-1, L-2-3, L-3 and new one goes L-1, L-2, L-3.
I just installed a new pull switch and seems like I don’t have high anymore just a medium speed. Made sure all wires go into the correct holes. Can you explain the L-1 thing?
Do I have the wrong pull switch ?
Thanks.
@@greenmount73 Please explain the sequence. Is it medium, low, off, off or medium, medium, low, off?
Ok just checked and it’s medium, medium, medium and high. No off for some reason and I was careful to put the wires in the correct holes.
@@greenmount73 Which pull chain are you using?
Unfortunately, the way you shot the video I can't tell how you put the wires in to the new switch. A close up would have been helpful
Just push them.
should have disconnected the plug and did the work on table instead of reaching upward...
You skipped showing the most important step. Taking the switch apart. That's the part most people need. I am stuck on taking it apart.
I didn't take it apart. I just installed a new one. Or do you mean taking the old one out? I recommend pulling. Or maybe wire cutters.
Horrible. Just like another video I watched. My wires bend and won't insert into the new piece