Help needed replacing extractor fan. Switching issue

[devs]

Hi guys recently moved into the house and wanted to replace a nonworking ceiling extractor fan.

Attached images showing the 3 wires for the extractor along with the pull switch the to the light / extractor.

I have tried both lives in each of the terminals.

When connected one way. The fan starts momentarily then stops.

When connected the other way. The light remains on regardless of switched position and dims slightly in the off position, but the fan runs.

Any thoughts on what’s happening here as it’s driving me mad.

Many

thanks Steve

 

[Taylortwocities]

Sorry to ask this.
Did you take a photo / remember what colour wires went to which terminal on the old fan?
You say that you "have tried both lives in each of the terminals" That must mean that you know, for certain, which of the three is a neutral. How did you determine that?
As the cable (red and black) in the switch is different to the fan cable, there must be a junction box, or an isolator switch somewhere, or maybe the fan cable comes from the light itself. Please provide photos of where the fan cable is connected.
Lastly...do you have a two probe voltage test device? even a simple multimeter would be useful.

 

[devs]

Hi there and thanks for getting back. No I foolishly didn’t photograph this one and got distracted by someone. I assumed that the blue must be neutral?

I have a pen voltage tester and a this rarely used meter.

Cheers for your input

 

[Murdochcat]

Try

Brown PL
Black SL
Blue N

 

[Taylortwocities]

Black used to be neutral. You need to be sure which on actually is neutral or nothings gonna work.
You should be able to use your pen to confirm the perm and switched lives.

 

[devs]

Black used to be neutral. You need to be sure which on actually is neutral or nothings gonna work.
You should be able to use your pen to confirm the perm and switched lives.

Ah okay thanks very much! So on testing with the pen. The blue appears to be the switched live and black is neutral. I’ll rewire it again tomorrow. Appreciated!

 

[RandomGrinch]

The cable connection to the fan doesn't appear to be made at the switch.
Have you looked beneath the ceiling rose? - there could be a clue to the connections there.

 

[devs]

Hi there, my top picture is the switching the one below is the fan wiring. I’ll explore again in the morning

 

[devs]

That’s all working now, thanks very much for all the help. Appreciated

 

[Taylortwocities]

That’s all working now, thanks very much for all the help. Appreciated

How did you do it?

 

[devs]

How did you do it?

N = Black

SL = Blue

L = Brown

I’ve never known neutral to not be blue.

 

[Taylortwocities]

N = Black

SL = Blue

L = Brown

I’ve never known neutral to not be blue.

You must be very young then.…

 

[devs]

Yea, I feel it. The body would differ.