Wiring Ventilation Fan

[Dew]

We're installing a ventilation fan in the bathroom where another heat lamp/fan was. Our new one is a fan only, no light or heat. There are the typical 3 wires (black, white and ground) coming out from the fan motor into the little push plug. The wiring to the old heat lamp/fan had two sets of wires (there were 2 switches on opposite walls where one switch operated the fan and the other switch operated the heat lamp). The wiring for the switch that operated the fan only is a 12-2 and the wiring for the switch that operated the heat lamp is a 12-3.

We hooked up the wiring (12-2) from the switch that operate the fan only since it's only a fan. The fan wouldn't work - like there was no power yet the power was on. So we unhooked that and hooked up the the wiring (12-3) but wasn't sure what to do with the red wire, so we capped it. The fan went on as soon as the power was turned on, however it wouldn't turn off. The switch had no effect on it. Then we pigtailed the red wire in with the black wire and the result was the same - wouldn't shut off.

Is it possible that we have to pigtail the wiring from BOTH switches? If so, what do we do with the red wire? The instructions for the fan are so vague - it reads connect the white to the white, black to the black and green to the screw... there is nothing about what to do if your wiring has a second hot (red).

I can provide pictures in you need. Thanks in advance. Dew

[Vector]

Photos would be good. A record of exactly what wire was hooked up to where on the old fan/light combo would be even better.

If you can open up the switch box on the wall and detail exatly what is connected to what, that would be a big help.

It seems like you have the power coming into the fan first, and that the wired running to the switches are what are known as a "switch loop," but I can't be certain from what you've said so far.

Photos of both ends of the wiring would help a lot.