[asbury park]

We have one switch in our house that has been acting funny. It is in our walk in closet and sometimes it will turn the light on and sometimes it won't. Any thoughts here?

 

[Stubbie]

We have one switch in our house that has been acting funny. It is in our walk in closet and sometimes it will turn the light on and sometimes it won't. Any thoughts here?

What kind of switch .. door jam switch or a typical toggle type light switch?

What kind of light fixture?

 

[asbury park]

Typical toggle switch. It is an overhead "dome" style light on the ceiling.

 

[kreemoweet]

1. loose connection at switch
2. loose connection at fixture
3. loose light bulb
4. Chinese light bulb

 

[kbsparky]

1. loose connection at switch
2. loose connection at fixture
3. loose light bulb
4. Chinese light bulb

5. Bad switch.

 

[k_buz]

Is it a fluorescent light? I'm thinking circle-line lamp/ballast. (Round tube type fluorescent)

 

[joecaption]

Go a meter to check the switch?

 

[asbury park]

Ok. What's my plan of attack to fix the problem? Electrical is where I have the least experience.

 

[joecaption]

Kill the breaker to that circut.
Remove the switch cover and check the switch with a Volt OHM meter set to OHMs.
Just flip the switch on and and off, wiggle the switch when it in the on position.
You do not have to disconnect the wires to try this.

 

[paintdrying]

Chinese light bulb- God help us all

 

[asbury park]

Kill the breaker to that circut.
Remove the switch cover and check the switch with a Volt OHM meter set to OHMs.
Just flip the switch on and and off, wiggle the switch when it in the on position.
You do not have to disconnect the wires to try this.

I don't have a Volt meter. Only a voltage detector. Took the switch cover off. Checked the connections and they were ok. So went ahead and replaced the switch and still no luck.

 

[jbfan]

Turn the power off and replace the switch for 69 cents.
If it doesn't work then, come back for more advice!

 

[asbury park]

Turn the power off and replace the switch for 69 cents.
If it doesn't work then, come back for more advice!

See my post above. I did just replace the switch.

 

[jbfan]

See my post above. I did just replace the switch.

Missed that, sorry.
What kind of fixture?

 

[asbury park]

Missed that, sorry.
What kind of fixture?

It's an overhead "dome" type light in our walk in closet.

 

[jbfan]

It's an overhead "dome" type light in our walk in closet.

Incandescent or fluorescent lamps?

 

[asbury park]

Incandescent or fluorescent lamps?

Incandescent

 

[jbfan]

Pull the fixture down and check for loose connections.

 

[hammerlane]

take both wires from the switch(assuming it is not a 3-way switch) and connect both wires together. If the lite comes on the switch is bad. If the lite does not come on there is a loose connection somewhere.

 

[hammerlane]

If power is coming into the switch location instead of at the light location, do the same: