How To Repair Your Bathroom Fan
Fri, Apr 6, 2007
One of the things that you rarely think about ever having to fix is the bathroom fan. That exhaust fan seems to work perfectly for years on end, but what happens when it does quit working? How do you repair or replace it? You can call for help, or you can follow some simple instructions and do it yourself.
One of the best things about repairing your bathroom fan is that you don’t have to replace the whole fan just because you have a dead motor. No matter how old your fan is, you can typically find replacement parts, since the technology of a bathroom fan has changed little in the past few decades. Keep in mind that a new motor will cost about the same as a new fan; however, you’ll save a lot of time and labor by just replacing the motor.
Before you do anything at all, make sure the power has been shut off at the main breaker panel for safety purposes. Collect the model number of your fan from the label behind the fan grille so that you can be certain you get the correct parts, and be sure to take the old fan with you to make sure this is the only part you’ll need when you get to the store. You may have to vacuum off some dust and dirt or wipe the unit down with a damp cloth in order to see the model number, especially if you can remember ever having needed to open up the unit before!
Regardless of the age or model of your bathroom fan, motor replacement is basically the same. Start by taking the blower off the motor’s shaft – probably the hardest thing you’ll do – and if you wreck it, you may have to replace it as well (not uncommon). Then, you can remove the motor from the plate by removing the screws or nuts. Note that, if you release a tab on the housing or remove a retaining screw, this plate will easily tip out of the housing with the motor, making it easier to work with.
While you have the air vent open, be sure to vacuum out the accumulated dust and dirt to leave the area as clean as possible, as the buildup reduces the effectiveness of the fan and can actually shorten the life of the motor. To install the new motor, simply reverse the order of removal, screwing the fan back on the plate, replacing the plate, and putting the blower back on the shaft.
In repairing a bathroom fan, you’ll find that the motor is the most likely culprit of the malfunction. As mentioned earlier, you can obtain an entire fan for about the same price as the motor. However, to install the entire unit, you would have to enter the attic or make cuts into the roof and ceiling, making it a long, messy job that is both time consuming and frustrating. In choosing to simply replace the motor, you can be finished with the entire job in less than an hour.
Here are some of the more common and popular fan motors:
Popularity: 5% [?]
May 25th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
If my bathroom fan is on all day and doesn’t want to turn off, what is wrong with it?
I try the switch.
May 26th, 2007 at 1:11 am
Sounds like there is something wrong with the switch. I’d have that checked first. You may want to call an electrician or a handy man for that.
Keep us updated.
AJ
January 16th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
the electrical contractor I hired to repair/replace the originial 24 year old bathroom fans in my condo decided to install new fans rather than clean the original fans and install new motors on them. the original fans were jenn-air…the new fans he installed are nutone…as a result in one bathroom he had to use lambro lamflex connector hose and an adaptor because the new nutone fan did not fit the building duct in my condo. will I have problems with air flow or dirt collecting and fire potential because of the use of connector hose and an adaptor? should I have insisted on cleaning the original fans and finding new replacement motors to install?
March 4th, 2008 at 5:10 am
Thank you for your time, the problem I am having is that my bathroom fan is making an increditably loud noise, and I am not sure what the proper cleaning procedures are.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I replaced the motor, but the bathroom fan still does not work. If I turn the switch on, I can hear a very low humming noise, but the fan is not spinning. Do you have any other suggestions on things to try? Thanks.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Make sure that the fan blade is not stuck and that the motor is getting 110 volts (do not test voltage unless you have experience using a voltmeter and are aware of the proper safety guidelines).
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:05 am
My bathroom fan is not working at all when I flip the switch on the wall. No noise, nothing. Could this just be a switch issue or is it possible that it is the motor?
March 6th, 2009 at 1:39 am
I have the same problem with Matt with the exception of changing out the fan AND the switch.Still dosen’t work.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
same problem . when I flip the switch to turn on the bathroom fan . I get nothing. Could this be the fan ..motor or the switch needs replacing .. any suggestions ??
July 11th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
There is no way to be certain without testing. Whether the switch is bad or the motor is bad - you will get the same result - nothing. You can visually inspect the switch for any loose wiring. Wall switches don’t break often because of their simplicity. Motors are much more likely to break because of the motor winding, moving parts, and overheating. So, if I had to guess, which is all I’m doing here, I’d say the motor is bad.
August 23rd, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I have replaced the fan brand new, the transformer brand new. Checked the switch, fuse box. Still doesnt work any ideas.
September 11th, 2009 at 5:43 am
My fan runs constantly—-I replaced the electric switch—-no change
Any ideas?
September 11th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
My fan does not start when i turn on the switch, however if I reach inside and move it a little, then it runs fine. Any ideas on how to get it to move right away when i turn it on? Would WD40 work?
thanks!
November 13th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Ever since my new bathroom fan was installed my dishwasher does not rinse as well. What can be the problem? Should I try cleaning the fan blades in the bathroom?
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:32 pm
When my bathroom NuTone fan is turned on, you hear a humming noise. Then after a 3-4 minute delay the fan begins working.
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