Changed fan cover now the fan isn't working...

[cannesdo]

I replaced the vent cover in my bathroom this week. It's the kind with the three narrow slots. The fan worked fine for a few days then suddenly stopped working. I flip the switch and...nothing. Any ideas? The cover change shouldn't have anything to do with the motor. Is it just a coincidence? Any idea where I should start troubleshooting? Thanks...

[cannesdo]

dryfly wrote:


Above you state your fan power switch "doesn't work". If you know the switch is defective why not replace it??

I don't know of the switch is functional or not. I was referencing the fan, which it controls as not working.the raising and lowering of the vent cover is what the other switch controls and that motor *is* working.

Thanks for the suggestion. 🙂

[cannesdo]

dryfly wrote:


Above you state your fan power switch "doesn't work". If you know the switch is defective why not replace it??

I don't know of the switch is functional or not. I was referencing the fan, which it controls as not working.the raising and lowering of the vent cover is what the other switch controls and that motor *is* working.

Thanks for the suggestion. 🙂

[dryfly]

OK, I'm not following your explanation of your use of the multi-meter, but a simple way to test the fan would be to pull the fan motor out of the vent, and connect the two leads, positive and negative, to a 12 volt DC source. Use your RV or vehicle battery.

Above you state your fan power switch "doesn't work". If you know the switch is defective why not replace it??

[cannesdo]

Ok...I know my multi meter works, tested it on my fuses... but I'm not getting anything off the wires behind the vent cover switch (which works) or the fan power switch ( which doesn't work. Anyone know how to get a reading off of those? I can get a new fan motor for $8 with free shipping on Ebay. Maybe I'll just give it a go. Oh...and I found that the wires for the raise/lower motor had dropped down and stopped the fan from spinning, which I suppose could have burnt out the motor, yes? The fan motor is also 19 years old.

[wa8yxm]

IF it does not spin with fingers motor bearings are sized. You need new motor. Multiple sources including most RV stores have 'em you may need to solder (or not) depending on how they put it in.

[cannesdo]

Thank you, Bobbo. 😉 I have done the 12v switch thing before myself. It's right at the entrance to the basement where it can be accidentally pushed in.

You answered my question about why it was so important to everyone to know of the fan was spinning. It seems it should, it didn't even occur to me to check that actually because what could be in the way.. but I suppose it could be something that flew in from outside. There's a first time for everything. I will investigate. I once dismantled my fantastic fan so thoroughly that when I found the problem and I called asking for a diode to replace mine which had been damaged and the tech guy laughed and was like, "I'm so impressed --I've never had anyone ask for a diode!" 🙂

Thank you again...

[cannesdo]

Thank you, Bobbo. 😉 I have done the 12v switch thing before myself. It's right at the entrance to the basement where it can be accidentally pushed in.

You answered my question about why it was so important to everyone to know of the fan was spinning. It seems it should, it didn't even occur to me to check that actually because what could be in the way.. but I suppose it could be something that flew in from outside. There's a first time for everything. I will investigate. I once dismantled my fantastic fan so thoroughly that when I found the problem and I called asking for a diode to replace mine which had been damaged and the tech guy laughed and was like, "I'm so impressed --I've never had anyone ask for a diode!" 🙂

Thank you again...

[Bobbo]

If the fan blade won't turn by hand, there is a physical obstruction. It could be inside or outside of the motor housing. You are going to have to find that physical obstruction. That may require disassembling the fan motor housing to look. However, I would start by a thorough search from above and below to see if anything is blocking the fan from turning.

And remember, if someone thinks YOU are an idiot, it may just mean that THEY are an idiot and can't see logic. Also, the basic questions MUST be asked, even if they sound extremely simplistic, so WE know what avenues need to be pursued. In another thread, someone posted because he didn't have 12v power to his RV unless it was plugged into a power post. After a couple of pages of diagnostics, someone finally asked if his disconnect switch was turned on. The most simplistic question fixed the problem. His disconnect switch had gotten activated accidentally.

[cannesdo]

I always wonder if I can get through one help request on this site without someone jumping to the conclusion that I'm an idiot. Evidently not.

[cannesdo]

What's strange is that it worked for a few days...then stopped working.

[cannesdo]

Lynnmor wrote:

cannesdo wrote:
Ah...no...the fan does not spin. ???

Good Grief!!! I meant with your fingers.

I *know*. It...does...not...spin...with my fingers. "???" Means what's the next move.

[dryfly]

As with any electrical problem, start at the "problem" and work back to the power source. Make sure switch is on then, using a multi-meter, determine if 12 volts DC is present at the fan motor. If it is, you have a bad fan motor. If not move on to the switch, etc. It's really difficult and time consuming to "guess" a solution to any electrical problem.

[Lynnmor]

cannesdo wrote:
Ah...no...the fan does not spin. ???

Good Grief!!! I meant with your fingers.

[cannesdo]

Ah...no...the fan does not spin. ???