Replace a Hunter Ceiling Fan Pull Chain Switch Broken Fix

It is an easy and affordable fix to replace a broken ceiling fan pull chain. When the chain breaks off inside the fan, you will need a new pull chain switch - less than $12 on Amazon - some as low as $6.99! The key is finding the correct replacement part. Switches are not universal, so you will likely have to remove the defective switch before searching for a replacement part. Note: Home Depot does not carry Hunter ceiling fan pull chain switches. And neither did my local Lowe's at the time of this recording.
I have an older Hunter ceiling fan.
The Pull Chain Switch used in this repair is linked below:
amzn.to/456ELBW
or, for a set of two,
amzn.to/45wdCYU
More options:
amzn.to/3OAbSqM
Klein Tools Voltage Tester:
amzn.to/3YyMbeU
Gardner Bender GS-394 Automatic Electrical Stripper & Crimper Tool:
amzn.to/47w0qFn
If you have tips, please leave them in the comments below.
Thanks for watching!
Note: Some links are affiliate links that help the channel at no cost to you.

[@crooked-halo]

No! Why add an extra step that's potentially difficult? There's _no reason_ to cut & re-strip the wires! They're held inside the switch by a Z-shaped, spring-loaded terminal. If you straighten a heavy paper clip or use an ice pick or small flat headed screwdriver and push it into the hole right next to the wire, you'll depress the terminal & release the wire from the hole, just pull it out. Also, _those wires are tinned_ (solder applied around wire ends), making them neat & easy to re-insert. The package of my new switch, in fact, states "you must use tinned wires." Also, you may be able to separate the two halves of the old switch, which will immediately release all 4 wires. My fan has a light fixture so it was hard to stuff all the wires & junction box back in between the two halves & get the screws in. I suggest testing the new switch & the job you did _before_ putting it all back together.

[@user-ln2dt5hd5x]

SAVED 295.00 that electrician wanted for new fan and installation ! video was a perfect tutorial - I found the same pull chain that is in the video for only 5.89 . It took less than 5 minutes and i never did this kind of repair . Just make sure you match the 4 wires , L ,1,2,3, and you are good to go .Thanks so much for the savings and keep it coming !

[@mainelydiymom]

EXCELLENT! That is great to hear

[@louisehaydu7884]

This video was a life saver, providing the info for the correct part and how to install. The links to materials was invaluable. I also took apart the old switch with a small screwdriver and pulled out the existing wires. As a result, I didn't need to cut or strip any wires.

[@DougCeleste]

Nice video and easy to understand. Thank you! My ceiling fan has no light and it should be an easy job for me to do. Unfortunately, I lost the paper with the notes of which wire goes to which number. I DO know that the black wire is "L" but not sure about the other three colored wires and numbers. I will have to figure that out. Wish me luck! ☹

[@debram4276]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this video. I fixed my old Hunter fan myself thanks to your video. I never would have tried it otherwise. You also saved me a trip to Home Depot and Lowes who neither one had the part I needed which was the part you used that I ordered from Amazon.

[@mainelydiymom]

That is awesome! 👏 so glad it was helpful

[@carmenchaux67]

Thank you Mainely. Very well explained. I think many of us did not know that the part is not sold in your regular hardware store but in Amazon.

[@mainelydiymom]

It has to be compatible with a Hunter ceiling fan, and that particular brand is not available at Home Depot. I also could not find the part at Lowe’s but you’d think they would carry it. Thank you for the feedback!

[@MattsFans]

im glad you kept it instead of tossing it; these 1st gen hunter low profiles are better than basically any new home improvement store fan

[@mainelydiymom]

It is a great fan

[@RanchoFiascoMike]

The best and simplest explanation for how to do a simple job. Thank you!

[@cbast2]

You don't have to cut the wires off the old switch. The wires are held in place by springy metal tabs. While pulling on the wire, push a small screwdriver, nail, etc. into the wire hole to bend the tab which will free the wire. When I pulled the wires out of my switch, it looked like the wires had solder on them which makes them stiffer than the unsoldered strands. So I did the same with the new wires I pushed into the switch.

[@prohomevideos]

Why did you have to replace the wires? Could you just put the existing wires into a new switch?

[@cbast2]

@@prohomevideos I was actually replacing the capacitor. So the new wires were from the new capacitor.

[@prohomevideos]

ok, now that makes sense.

[@TheCajunGaijin]

When buying a new switch, most switches tell you that you need either solid core wire or solder tinned wire tips. It's helpful to keep the wire snuggly in the switch.

[@crooked-halo]

Yes, cutting & stripping the old wires adds an extra step, which isn't a super-easy task for one not acquainted with wire. They're easy to release as described above, or the 2 halves of the switch might come apart (unless they're riveted) which releases all 4 wires instantly.

[@bonnpoland]

Great video! I did this same repair a few years ago but totally forgot how to do it. This was a perfect refresher. Thanks!

[@user-nq8vm2iv9v]

Push in where the each wire goes into the switch with a toothpick/whatever and each wire mechanism will open and pull each wire out. Those ends are soldiered to push in easily and you don't have to strip each wire for so much work.

[@quarter_moon_and_a_guitar]

Non-handy person did this in 30 minutes. Thanks!

[@mrbeansway1225]

That hunter low profile ur work was 1000000000000/10 :)

[@teresafacio1455]

Absolutely brilliant!!! Clear, step by step instructions. Thanks a million

[@mainelydiymom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LindaTN-mt3me]

Looks so easy! Thank you. I’m kinda tired of waiting for my handyman.

[@mainelydiymom]

You can absolutely do this! Just make sure you get the correct part for your fan and always be careful with electricity. I leave the fan on before shutting off the power as my first test. Then, I test again with a voltage tester. Good luck!!

[@sheila50]

Thank you. I was struggling but your explanation was very easy & helpful!

[@saravanr1]

Thank you for the excellent video. I was having trouble finding good videos on replacing hunter fan parts. Thank you!

[@sangitav7160]

Thank you this video helped us fix the issue and saved us money.

[@CeilingFanVideosOnYT]

Great job. I can see why it was on updraft, it was November.

[@ryancam5922]

Thank you so much, my ceiling fan pull had broken. This video is very helpful. You are doing great. Thanks

[@mainelydiymom]

Thank you!

[@ColbySeattle]

Great video. Thank you.

[@cryptoworldwanderer]

Thank you so much for the explanations. Super good video!

[@algiordano9214]

Good job... Thank you.😊

[@user-pm4ic4dx4q]

Thank you your video was so clear for me to follow 🎉🎉

[@farmerjones5233]

Great video! Thanks Wendy!

[@michaelnotigan7796]

Outstanding, thank you! Subscribed.

[@goatxterror]

Been putting this off for months but I think I'm gonna try lol

[@mainelydiymom]

Let me know how you make out!

[@slcrooks]

Very helpful!!!

[@jamesjordan9048]

Thanks very much!!!

[@yohannes8508]

God bless you sister

[@boilerjet]

Great information until it's not! Not many you tubers know how to confirm power is killed to that fan. 😮

[@dannyjames383]

Great work 👏 girl

[@marsharojas9205]

Thank you for helping me

[@boilerjet]

Oh my!!!

[@umio.6907]

Hello Mainly DIY Mom, What you have done is very very inspiring! So… I am going to replace the pull chain switch myself. Thank you very much for the instruction!!! However, I have a question on the part you used. I have almost the same ceiling fan which uses Ceiling Fan Switch Zing Ear Pull Chain Switch ZE-268S, not ZE-268S6 which is ubiquitous at Amazon. I've sent Hunter a message asking about the compatibility, but I haven’t received a reply yet. Please advise! Thank you, again!

[@mainelydiymom]

Thank you! Part compatibility should (in theory) be listed on the website. The good thing about Amazon is that you can always return an item if it is not a match. I find there is a good amount of trial and error involved for the average DIYer, like myself. Good luck and let me know how you make out

[@umio.6907]

Thank you for your reply with the info! Yes, I was able to find the right pull switch at Amazon. Also, I encountered a good site which offers a plenty of info on the compatibility of parts. But to be courageous to challenge a project is one thing, but to be able to accomplish it successfully is another matter! I am still struggling to do this rather “simple” task. However, I am determined to finish it with my positive stubbornness!

[@gregbaker875]

You don't have to cut the wires You just have to push the tabs on the switch in and pull out the wire easy

[@renepicaso8519]

👍

[@90sbaby1]

The fan has a light pull chain, and the fan pull chain. Does the switch hold both the chains? Or do they have separate compartments?

[@Snowdog1010]

They are separate components. The fan switch is a 4 wire, 3 way switch. I can't say what the light switch is though.

[@boilerjet]

Without a meter, the only way to CONFIRM if you have into a individual control is if you have two switches on the wall

[@KathyJanes]

I can’t get to your comment on the tools you used. Can you repost it or pin it?

[@snookergo7012]

Mine still doesn’t work after change switch

[@mainelydiymom]

@@snookergo7012 sorry to hear! Hope you got it all figured out

[@pirateslappy7257]

You're incorrectly calling it the "white" wire. It's "grey".

[@domesticautomationllc]

[@pennylane5280]

Since you’re sticking in the wires why can’t you just remove them the same way they go in? No cutting needed this way.

[@mainelydiymom]

You can absolutely do that. I left them in as a guide for wire placement, but a photo works just as well

[@crooked-halo]

@@mainelydiymom Also the correct wire placement can be learned by touching each colored wire to the black wire & noting how fast fan runs. The fastest wire goes in hole #1, medium #2, slow #3. Black, of course, goes in "L."

[@mainelydiymom]

@@crooked-halo that is good information. Thanks for sharing