Trouble shooting an old 3-setting dual electric fan problem

As requested by a member, I am outlining the steps I took to fix a dual window fan I had set up in my "computer room" at home, that had worked all last summer.   But this year, when it was plugged in, it didn't work at all.  Mistakes are included and explained so you don't make the same ones.

Before just blindly looking for problems, I thought it through some.

#1: could a motor be burnt out?  
Answer:  not likely.  It had not been run all winter long.  Dust may have accumulated inside of it, but it should at least spark, smoke, hum or do "SOMETHING".   This did nothing.
#2: how about the cord?
Answer: possibly, but again, since there had been no tension nor stress on the cord all winter, having been stored away, it wasn't much more likely then the motor.
#3: how about the switch?
Answer: the switch was a four position (off, left fan on, right fan on, both fans on) old mechanical switch encased in Bakelite  (which tells some of the older members here just HOW old it is :-)  And, I remember it giving a visible flash or spark visible around the seam when the fan was switched on in the dark.   Sounds like a good starting place. 

Step 1 The Switch

I disassembled the switch and found nothing "remarkable".  No broken wires, no overly carbonized contacts.   While open, I cleaned the contacts, since they were now completely exposed gingerly, so as not to wear them down and make any gaps even worse.

Comments

[caarntedd]

Love yer work. I think you could write an 'ible about something as easy as checking the mailbox! Also a good point regarding the neutral line through, reminding us that something as simple as changing an old plug could lead to problems if the polarity is accidentally swapped.

And keep your jokes to yourself! (Unless there is a pun writing instructable coming soon)  ;)

[Goodhart]

I thought Killerjackalope and myself DID do one on humor ;-)

Thank you, I was thinking about a "thought experiment" type ible.....but I will have to think more on it (no joke, I really mean that).

[caarntedd]

Looking forward to it. (I really mean that).

[Goodhart]

Well, so far, I am only (no pun intended) just thinking about it. :-)

[RedneckEngineer]

Looks good! Welcome back my friend!