Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - chain on a light fixture
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sara29
02-08-05, 03:21 PM
the chain will not pull to turn on light can this be fixed or do i have to get a new one
thank u all!!
sara
thank u all!!
sara
chirkware
02-08-05, 04:46 PM
I'm guessing that when you try to pull the chain, it won't budge, correct? Can you "push" the chain back into the switch and then get it to pull? If the chain points up as it comes out of the switch, sometimes this puts a strain on the chain preventing it being retracted correctly after being pulled. In this case, the chain may work the switch correctly when pulled straight out rather than down. Not, of course, a very practical way to have to operate the switch. :)
Assuming this is a simple On-Off switch, it likely is a standard switch that can easily be replaced if you are comfortable working with wiring (with the power OFF, of course). You can likely find a replacement at home depot in the lighting area for a few bucks. If it is not just an On-Off switch, post back before proceeding.
If you want to proceed, disconnect the power by turning the breaker off, or removing the fuse, whichever applies.
Take the fixture down (CAREFULLY note what wires you disconnect so you can put it back correctly). Disassemble the fixture if necessary to get to the switch. By unscrewing the part of the switch that the chain comes out of, you should be able to pull the switch loose. Now you should have a round hole roughly 3/8" in diameter where the switch was.
There will likely be two black wires that go directly into the switch. These wires in turn are probably connected to two other wires with wire nuts. **If there are more wires, post back before proceeding.**
Disconnect these wires at the wirenuts. If there are no wirenuts, cut the wires, leaving enough wire to strip and reconnect with wirenuts (leave more slack on the fixture side than on the switch side). Note: One of the wires to the switch may have connected directly to the power source that you already disconnected. Take the switch with you to get a replacement so you get the right thing. Be sure to get some appropriately sized wirenuts if you had to cut the wires.
Once you have the new switch, just follow these steps backwards. :) Good luck!
Assuming this is a simple On-Off switch, it likely is a standard switch that can easily be replaced if you are comfortable working with wiring (with the power OFF, of course). You can likely find a replacement at home depot in the lighting area for a few bucks. If it is not just an On-Off switch, post back before proceeding.
If you want to proceed, disconnect the power by turning the breaker off, or removing the fuse, whichever applies.
Take the fixture down (CAREFULLY note what wires you disconnect so you can put it back correctly). Disassemble the fixture if necessary to get to the switch. By unscrewing the part of the switch that the chain comes out of, you should be able to pull the switch loose. Now you should have a round hole roughly 3/8" in diameter where the switch was.
There will likely be two black wires that go directly into the switch. These wires in turn are probably connected to two other wires with wire nuts. **If there are more wires, post back before proceeding.**
Disconnect these wires at the wirenuts. If there are no wirenuts, cut the wires, leaving enough wire to strip and reconnect with wirenuts (leave more slack on the fixture side than on the switch side). Note: One of the wires to the switch may have connected directly to the power source that you already disconnected. Take the switch with you to get a replacement so you get the right thing. Be sure to get some appropriately sized wirenuts if you had to cut the wires.
Once you have the new switch, just follow these steps backwards. :) Good luck!