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How can I fix this light switch?
I have a double switch in my bathroom. One controls the light and the other controls the fan. When I turned the fan on, it came on for a second, then went off. Both switches are dead now. I checked the circuit breaker and it hadn't tripped. There's power in all the outlets. Is this a switch problem or something more complicated?
4 Answers
- WENDEL HOMESLv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
Any electrics within a bathroom need the expertise of a qualified electrician; there are many safety rules that govern in dangerous places where water is on tap and bodies that are wet can short swiftly to earth (ground).
- 8 years ago
To start with.If the house has been rewired lately there should be so called GFI plugs in the bathroom.
These plugs have a rest button.It quite often happens that they are wired together with all kinds of
other thing.
Try this!
Turn both switches into the OFF position.
Check to see if you have plugs with the reset button in them.Push the rest button in.You'll hear a click.
Then turn on one switch at a time.If the reset button clicks out on any switch then the problem is either in the fan or the light.It looks like the fan has caused the power to go out.
Sometimes the way we do it, light and plugs are on different circuits.
In that case leave both switches in the OFF position and carefully check the breakers.
One could be tripped.It may not show very well.See if anyone of the breakers is out of line.
If it is out of line (tripped) move it into the OFF position first then into the ON position.
Remember which breaker it is.
Go back to the washroom and put the switch for the light into the ON position.
If it goes on then you switch the fan switch ON.
If the light goes OFF and the fan goes OFF leave the fan switch OFF and turn the breaker OFF
and then ON.
The washroom fans are easy to remove.The cover usually pulls off easily.The f
The fan motor (that gives the problem) pulls out there is one screw to loosen and then it comes out.
If you can read the make and model # of the fan you can probably buy it in North America in any of the supply places.(The fan motor is usually just plugged into a small plug in the fan housing,
you'll see it when the cover comes off.
Make sure the breaker is OFF.when you do this work.
Otherwise it could be a loose line wire on the switches.Test the wires by holding them and pulling slightly on them.If one is loose take a screwdriver and tighten it and try it.
Hope it is not too complicated for you.
Good luck.
Source(s): Master electrician works in the field. - Jim WLv 78 years ago
Replace the switches that are defective. Reset the tripped GFi receptacle. you may also need to replace the fan.
Source(s): 50+ years in the electrical industry
