Ceiling fan hums and won't turn


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Old 01-30-15, 02:14 PM
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Ceiling fan hums and won't turn

Our fan (10 yrs old) was on working fine, then randomly started turning the other way. Then stopped and would switch back & forth. It now just makes a humming noise and does nothing. We bought a new fan and installed it and have the same issue. We were thinking maybe it was the power switch as both fans are doing it but we've changed that out and it still is only making the humming noise. Any suggestions on what could be causing this?

We have 2 wall switches, 1 controls the fan & the other one controls the lights. There are no lights on the fan.

Thanks!!!
 
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Old 01-30-15, 03:58 PM
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Can the fan be controlled by a switch at another entrance, to the room? In other words, are there 3 way switches involved? Check the voltage on both of the switches. Which switch gets the power from the breaker first? Take a close look at the jumper.
 
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Old 01-30-15, 04:37 PM
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No useful information from checking voltages on the switches. You do need to check voltage at the box it comes in at and if that isn't at the fan then at the fan also but the most likely cause is a bad capacitor.

Typical capacitor:
Name:  Fan-cap.jpg
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Old 01-30-15, 07:03 PM
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I'd agree with Ray. The fan starting in the wrong direction is indicative of a defective capacitor.
 
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Old 01-31-15, 06:53 AM
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It's strange that 2 fans would have the same problem. That's why I suggested voltage or amperage.
 

Last edited by Pulpo; 01-31-15 at 07:11 AM.
 

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