[jcjc320]

I have a light that is controlled by a switch. It stopped working.

The two white wires are connected
The two grounds are connected and the two black wires are connected to the switch.

I have used a tester and touched the probes to the black and ground wires so the wire to the switch is hot

The wire to the light is hooked up white to white, black to black and ground to ground

The light will not work

I have used a tester on the wire coming from the switch and touched the probes to the black and ground wires and it is hot

The light works because I have attached it to another switch

 

[mike242424]

well if the two blacks are on the switch that means the white is passing though the switch box w/ out be connected to anything correct? So the light should be at the end of the circuit. Make sure the white is connected to the silver screw and the black to the brass colored screw. If all connections are tight put a new switch in.

 

[J. V.]

Change out the switch, if you know your wires are connected exactly like they were before.

 

[joed]

Test between black and white instead of black and ground. I suspect you have an open white wire somewhere on the circuit.

 

[theatretch85]

Test between black and white instead of black and ground. I suspect you have an open white wire somewhere on the circuit.

That is certaintly possible.

One of the things I'd try is to bypass the switch by wiring the 2 black wires together to see if the light comes on. Also, as suggested check the voltage between the incoming black and white wires.

 

[220/221]

Make sure the white is connected to the silver screw and the black to the brass colored screw

You are confused. No neutral terminals on a switch.


Like Joed said, you need to test hot to neutral, not just ground.

Slip one end of the tester in the white's wire nut (or carefull remove it) and test to BOTH terminals on the switch. One black is power in, the other goes to the light.

If you have voltage on both terminals to ground but not to neutral, the path back (neutral) is broken (open), likely in a feed thru back stabbed recep.

 

[theatretch85]

You are confused. No neutral terminals on a switch.

I believe he was referring to the light fixture. Though some light up switches do require a neutral (although the op did not describe anything that resembled a light up switch). Electrically the light would still work with the hot/neutral reversed, HOWEVER it is hazard as the outer metal ring on the socket would become energized and simply changing a light bulb with the switch on could be a shocking experience!

 

[mike242424]

i was talking about the light fixture not the light switch. sorry for the confusion

 

[220/221]

I was just trying to keep the OP from getting off track.

The wire to the light is hooked up white to white, black to black and ground to ground

 

[jcjc320]

On the wire coming into the switch
I tested Black to ground and the tester lights
I tested Black to White and nothing

 

[jbberns]

You lost your neutral somewhere. Maybe a receptacle nearby? Another switch somewhere? Can tell what's on that circuit by shutting it off. Check for a bad connection.

 

[220/221]

Well...

If you have voltage on both terminals to ground but not to neutral, the path back (neutral) is broken (open), likely in a feed thru back stabbed recep.

Remove the closest recetacle on that circuit and take a look

 

[jcjc320]

Thanks everybody

The issue was with the receptacle next to the switch. The neutrals were only taped together and came apart