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Can I use a lubricant on a ceiling fan on and off pull string?

2 years ago

My ceiling fan pull(on and off switch) that controls the light is kind of hard to pull and feels as if it needs some sort of lubrication. I am google searching it and find the information confusing at best...HA! I am seeing that WD40 is a NO NO. Anyone know what oil can be used for this, if any?

Featured Answer

foodonastump

2 years ago

I used graphite spray successfully.

Comments (8)

wednesday morning
2 years ago
for many ceiling fans, the light fixture seems to get in the way of the cord that controls the fan. It is more likely to be a matter of what angle the cord gets pulled at.

I would no more consider lubricating a fan switch any more than you would a light switch. There is nothing in the switch that would respond to being lubricated.
arkansas girl thanked wednesday morning
Jasdip
2 years ago
I know what you mean. I have extenders on my chain, just to make them easier to reach. Some of them really need a good pull. I'd have no issue using a bit of spray on the chain at the top. Often when I need a quick spritz on hinges etc, I just use cooking spray. It works as a quick lube.
arkansas girl thanked Jasdip
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patriciae_gw
2 years ago
The switch is defective in some way. Parts wear. It might be possible to replace the switch but it could be more expensive than replacing the fixture.
arkansas girl thanked patriciae_gw
User
2 years ago
My newer ceiling fans have either wall switches or remotes, no pull cords.
arkansas girl thanked User
Elmer J Fudd
2 years ago
This is a fan plus a light, not just a fan. Unless it's wired to two different circuits, many fans with a light have two different on-board on and off switches. Maybe newer ones don't. I have an older one and it has two chain pull cords, one for the light, the other to cycle through 4 settings for the fan - high, medium, low, off. .
arkansas girl thanked Elmer J Fudd
arkansas girl
Original Author
2 years ago
Elmer, yes, this one is older and just has a pull chain for the light fixture and one for the fan. I suppose it would be easy enough to buy a new light fixture for it and install that, I've done it before but I'd rather not if I don't have to. I did find(on Amazon) some lubricant made for electric switches etc.
Elmer J Fudd
2 years ago
Good luck. I guess the worst that could happen is that you may need to replace it with one with a remote, as you said.

The one I have is in a part time residence, in a small room used as an office. I don't really like ceiling fans with lights, all the other fans in the place don't have lights. I'd probably replace it if/when needed with a plain fan and then add other means of lighting the room. I know that isn't always possible.

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