Rewire ceiling fan switches so that two switches separately operate fan and light?

Question

Facts:
1. Current setup has two switches in the same box that are redundant, meaning each switch works fan and light
2. Box has (3) 14/2 and (1) 14/3 wires
3. The (4) white neutrals are all tied together
4. Grounds are all tied together
5. Black from the 14/3 connected to a terminal of a single-pole switch
6. Red from the 14/3 connected to a terminal of the other single-pole switch
7. Blacks from all (3) of the 14/2 wires connected together
8. A fourth black wire extends from the wire-nut (from #7 above) and connects to the terminals of both switches 
9. I have no idea what wire is what as they travel into the house framing but I assume the 14/3 goes to the fan. I don't know which goes to the panel.  I don't even know why there are four wires.  
10. I obviously have limited knowledge and experience (YouTube tutorial trained, so just enough to be dangerous) 😜

If possible, I'd prefer to separate the switches such that one works the fan's light and one the fan itself.  Help!!

? · Answer

If I were doing this I would open up the box the fan is hanging from and if there are two sets of wires, connect one set to just the lights on the fan. Use wire nuts to cap off the unused wires. Then go to the box with the switches and wire one set of wires to a switch. Turn it on. If it comes on, there's your lights. Wire up the other set to the fan and another switch. If it doesn't light up, try the other pair of wires on the switch.

roger · Answer

look at the wiring in the fan.   See if the 14/3 goes to the fan.
If it does  hook the red wire from the 14/3 to the light (blue) wire and the black to the black (fan) wire  in the fan.  That should do it.   
If it is not that way  then you have to run a 14/3  (or 12/3) from the switch to the fan  to separate the fan and light functions.

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Rewire ceiling fan switches so that two switches separately operate fan and light?

2 Answers