3-speed ceiling fan has only one speed!

Cherylie
by Cherylie
The kitchen ceiling fan used to have 3 speeds, but now only has high speed. When on, pulling the chain once or twice doesn't alter the speed. On the third pull it will turn off.
It's like the clutch is broken and can't get out of third gear.
Any thoughts on how it can be fixed, at all?
  5 answers
    • Peggie B- Peggie B- on Aug 27, 2014
      I have the same problem. My ceiling fan just runs on high. Can it be repaired? Peggie B-
  • Cherylie Cherylie on Aug 26, 2014
    Thanks, Jody. I understood the first two sentences.... then the electrician talk totally lost me! LOLOL. At least I can go to Lowe's and ask for the component and see if it looks easy enough to change, and that's a lot more than I knew before. Thank you!
  • Michelle Michelle on Sep 07, 2014
    I think I have the translation, Cherylie. Jody is talking about something called a capacitor. It can be found if you unscrew the white metal circle at the base of the fan (this is where you would hook up a light kit - if you have a light kit, take it off) and you will see wires and a small black box that is roughly 2X3 inches. This is the capacitor. It will have three to five wires on it in different colors. This little dandy controls the power to the fan. You can replace it yourself. I did, but I had a harder time finding one since my local Lowe's and Home Depot don't sell capacitors. A local electric supply shop might carry them, but I ended up ordering them on amazon for $2 each. For instructions on how to replace it, I searched the internet for "how to replace a ceiling fan capacitor". BINGO! MUCH cheaper and easier than replacing the fan a brought it back to life.
  • Michelle Michelle on Sep 07, 2014
    Peggie B. It sounds like your pull switch/chain may need to be replaced. It's not clicking into any other "gear" except high. If you are a DIYer, it is a pretty easy repair.
  • Cherylie Cherylie on Sep 10, 2014
    Mmmmmmwwwwwwaaaaa!!! Thank you, Michelle! That's talk I understand.