9 votes

Ceiling fan light switch replacement help

Posted by DefinitelyNotAFae (edited )
Tags: ask.advice, fans.ceiling, electrical, switches.light, lighting, repair

Solved!

I'm trying to replace the light pull switch on the ceiling fan. Breaker is off, light bulbs are out.

The old switch has two black wires that run into the light socket, out of the socket comes a white and black wire. The black wire seems to be connected all the way through, the white wire obviously starts in the small socket fixture.

How do I connect these wires? Further up is a crimp connecter on the white and black wires.

I thought this was going to be easier.

Edit: pictures hopefully fixed.
I also don't have any wire nuts or similar connectors apparently so, I am running to grab that.

Edited: link to pics deleted for my sanity

13 comments

  1. DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link
    Thanks all I was able to make it work! Much appreciated. Hopefully it doesn't catch on fire.

    Thanks all I was able to make it work! Much appreciated. Hopefully it doesn't catch on fire.

    3 votes
  2. [12]
    mild_takes
    Link
    That image isnt working for me.

    That image isnt working for me.

    2 votes
    1. [10]
      DistractionRectangle
      Link Parent
      +1 Was about ask if it's blank for anyone else.

      +1 Was about ask if it's blank for anyone else.

      1 vote
      1. [9]
        DefinitelyNotAFae
        Link Parent
        Please try now!

        Please try now!

        1. [8]
          DistractionRectangle
          Link Parent
          That works! Now the question is replace it with what? Are we just bypassing the switch or do you have another one that you're installing? Pictures of that if so

          That works! Now the question is replace it with what? Are we just bypassing the switch or do you have another one that you're installing? Pictures of that if so

          2 votes
          1. [7]
            DefinitelyNotAFae
            Link Parent
            Replacing the switch with the same type - pic added to the folder

            Replacing the switch with the same type - pic added to the folder

            1. [6]
              DistractionRectangle
              Link Parent
              So if there's no easy way to just disconnect the old switch and attach the new switch (I.e. The old switch is soldered or somehow internally attached to the socket, which is appears to be) just...

              So if there's no easy way to just disconnect the old switch and attach the new switch (I.e. The old switch is soldered or somehow internally attached to the socket, which is appears to be) just cut the wires of the old switch (as close as possible to the switch, or in other words as far as possible from the socket, see pic), strip the insulation from the cut ends, and use appropriately sized wire nuts to attach the new switch to the old wires.

              1. [5]
                DefinitelyNotAFae
                Link Parent
                Yeah that was the best I could come up with and it felt wrong. But I'm just assuming that this is how the ceiling light came wired it so that's why it's all functioning as one piece. Literally on...

                Yeah that was the best I could come up with and it felt wrong. But I'm just assuming that this is how the ceiling light came wired it so that's why it's all functioning as one piece. Literally on my way back to the hardware store to get wire nuts because at no point did any of the videos mentioned to acquire some. Also none of them were wired through a socket fixture like that. Thank you. I will make this attempt when I come back and hopefully not fuck things up

                1 vote
                1. [2]
                  mild_takes
                  Link Parent
                  Get wago connectors! They're easier/better especially with stranded wire.

                  Get wago connectors! They're easier/better especially with stranded wire.

                  1 vote
                  1. DefinitelyNotAFae
                    Link Parent
                    Not available at my store at the moment apparently, though push in ones are.

                    Not available at my store at the moment apparently, though push in ones are.

                    1 vote
                2. [2]
                  DistractionRectangle
                  Link Parent
                  You might be able to open up the socket housing and see how it's internally connected if it's screwed together here With any luck it's attached by a screw down connection in the housing.

                  You might be able to open up the socket housing and see how it's internally connected if it's screwed together here

                  With any luck it's attached by a screw down connection in the housing.

                  1. DefinitelyNotAFae
                    Link Parent
                    It's a three socket fixture so I'd have to see where the screws are!

                    It's a three socket fixture so I'd have to see where the screws are!

                    1 vote