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pull chain switches
A pull-chain light switch on one of the ceiling fans got stuck*. When I tried to pull on it, it didn't move up nor down.
I opened up the lamp housing. The switch itself is this kind:
3 Amp 125-Volt "T" Pull Chain - Single-Pole
2-Setting Ceiling Fan Switch
The clear plastic side has a C-shaped opening/hole in it, as can be seen in the photos on the above pages. That makes me think the opening is intended to let one fix problems like this, where the spring may have gotten stuck in the wrong position. I did a search but didn't find any info on that. So I stuck a sharp point in the hole and pushed back and forth. One end of the wire spring was near the edge of the opening. Pushing on it seemed to release something, and then I was able to pull and release the chain again, but it still didn't click into position like usual.
Luckily, I had a spare used pull-switch from I-don't-remember-where, so I replaced the broken one, and the light fixture is working again. I'm still not sure what exactly inside the other switch broke. Though the plastic is clear, it's not easy to see the details of the innards. I wasn't curious enough to break it apart to look.
*I have extended length chains with spherical glass pulls on both the light and fan switches, to make them easier to reach and use. My sister hit one of the pulls while shaking out her blanket, which caused the problem. The same thing has happened to me a few times in the other bedroom, although without breaking the switch.
I opened up the lamp housing. The switch itself is this kind:
3 Amp 125-Volt "T" Pull Chain - Single-Pole
2-Setting Ceiling Fan Switch
The clear plastic side has a C-shaped opening/hole in it, as can be seen in the photos on the above pages. That makes me think the opening is intended to let one fix problems like this, where the spring may have gotten stuck in the wrong position. I did a search but didn't find any info on that. So I stuck a sharp point in the hole and pushed back and forth. One end of the wire spring was near the edge of the opening. Pushing on it seemed to release something, and then I was able to pull and release the chain again, but it still didn't click into position like usual.
Luckily, I had a spare used pull-switch from I-don't-remember-where, so I replaced the broken one, and the light fixture is working again. I'm still not sure what exactly inside the other switch broke. Though the plastic is clear, it's not easy to see the details of the innards. I wasn't curious enough to break it apart to look.
*I have extended length chains with spherical glass pulls on both the light and fan switches, to make them easier to reach and use. My sister hit one of the pulls while shaking out her blanket, which caused the problem. The same thing has happened to me a few times in the other bedroom, although without breaking the switch.