They aren't hard to replace with basic DIY skills (and the switches are cheap).

Here's an example of one type. After watching it, if you're comfortable with the level of effort necessary, you might open it up and find that the switch is just loose. If it isn't, then you'll see the type to pick up as a replacement.

Don't forget to turn off the power before working on the wiring.

If you're feeling handy, you can disassemble it down to the switch, remove it and take it to the hardware store for an identical one.

WD40 won't help.

And do remember to turn off the breaker or pull the fuse to that circuit, and you will probably need two or three wire nuts to splice the switch back in to the wiring.

Take a picture with your phone or draw a diagram so that you put the wires back the correct way.

It's not that hard.

Good luck!

Are you certain the fan blades and light are wired separately? My ceiling fan in the kitchen is, the one in the bedroom isn't. I know because I installed both of them.

Your best bet is to bite the financial bullet and have a real electrician come out and look at it. I say this because they're heavy buggers to take down.

I'm shocked.

Well, the friend/handyman married to my best friend can certainly do that; if I alert him to the problem, he'll know when he can come and fix it. He can do anything in a house, really.

That also makes me think of the problem with my upstairs attic ventilation fan. It's supposed to have 2 speeds on it, and that worked fine several years. But last summer it would click on low, not on high. Maybe it's a similar problem.

Naturally I'd hoped to be able to fix it myself. But at least I've got sense enough to ask! Thank you again, everyone.