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Remove the grill to access the fan motor and controls.
Remove the fan spinner to access the motor.
Remove and test the motor as needed.
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You'll find electric fans in many places throughout your home. Besides ceiling and portable fans, they are in air conditioners, range hoods, computer power supplies, and bathroom vents. They are in just about every room of your home. If they decide to not work, here's what you can do about it.
A fan is a device that produces a current of air. There are many kinds of fans—freestanding, oscillating, box, ceiling, and more—but they all function in the same way. An electric fan uses a motor to rotate a blade assembly. The blades are angled and shaped to move and direct air currents. The fan will have one or more control switches to turn it on and off as well as to control its speed. The fan may also have a gear assembly to move the fan from side to side, or oscillate, for greater air movement.
An oscillating fan uses a set of gears, called a gear assembly, to move the fan head from side to side. When an oscillating fan doesn't move, the cause is typically a loose or worn gear or clutch knob. If the oscillating gears are worn and you don't want to replace them, simply reassemble the gear assembly and lock it in a stationary position.
To service fan blades:
- Unplug the fan.
- Remove the front blade guard or grille.
- Remove the spinner, nut, or cotter pin that attaches the blade assembly to the motor shaft, then remove the blade assembly.
- Remove the back blade guard to inspect and clean the motor housing and shaft.
- Inspect the blade assembly for wear and damage. A damaged blade can unbalance the fan and wear out the blade-assembly shaft. Tighten the setscrew if needed.
Wobbling blades can be noisy and reduce the fan's efficiency. You can purchase a balancing kit for some ceiling fan units or you can tape small washers on the blades to balance them.
To service a fan's gear assembly:
- Remove the clutch knob from the motor housing.
- Remove the motor housing screws and housing to expose the gear assembly.
- Check the gear assembly for alignment and wear. Tighten or replace as needed.
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