[TheSrProgrammer]

Hi all,

I have a situation in the hallway where the light will blink randomly. Replacing the switch did nothing to alleviate the situation, and the bulb is definitely not the issue. The fixture is probably older than I am, so that might just need replacing. Is there anything I should do to confirm it's the fixture that is the problem or fix it? I'm concerned about overheating and having an electrical fire, so I've removed the bulb for the time being.

I have a few things at my disposal - a multimeter, needle nose pliers, and a tester to check for electrical current. Note that I have pretty much zero electrical experience and have shocked myself on several occasions when pretending to know what I was doing (thankfully all 120v - not going to play with 240v). I was excited when I learned I could test my battery voltage using the multimeter to see if they were good or not...

Thanks for any suggestions in advance!

-TheSrProgrammer

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

pull the light fixture down and disconnect, then put a test bulb in a pigtail on and see if it still blinks..go from there..

 

[joecaption]

Need to kill the breaker that controls the light, and check the wiring for a loose connection.
In the middle of the socket where the bulb plugs in pull the center tab out a little to make sure it's making full contact, if it's dirty run it with an eraser on a pencil.

 

[Jim Port]

What type of fixture is it and is your wiring aluminum ?

 

[TheSrProgrammer]

I will try these suggestions and post back.

 

[TheSrProgrammer]

What type of fixture is it and is your wiring aluminum ?

I will take a picture when I get home and post.

 

[AllanJ]

For decades, they have manufactured light fixtures with the components including internal wiring riveted together. Over time the connections may have oxidized and the conductivity become compromised.

 

[TheSrProgrammer]

Attached are some pictures of the fixture. Truthfully, the fixture is probably not worth saving being the eyesore that it is.

I also bought a light socket to test with. I haven't use it yet though.

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

fixture socket looks good, hook up the test light and see if you still have blinking lights...

 

[joed]

Has that thing been in a fire? It sure looks like it has been overheated at least. Someone in the past probably over lamped it with too high a wattage bulbs.

You should consider replacing the whole thing.

 

[Oso954]

I would have pulled that fixture off the ceiling immediately to examine the wiring. When they get that hot, it often damages the wiring.

That type of fixture usually has a layer of thermal insulation on the back of it. It is generally visible thru the screw holes. I don't see any signs of it in photo #2.

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

if it was overheated the plastic on the socket would be melted or distorted, that fixture is just OLD....

 

[joed]

The stuff on the sockets is often not 'plastic'. It is usually something that can take a lot of heat like Bakelite.

 

[TheSrProgrammer]

pull the light fixture down and disconnect, then put a test bulb in a pigtail on and see if it still blinks..go from there..

So I turned off the breaker, took down the fixture, and hooked up the test bulb. I then flipped the switch and left it on to see what it would do. To my horror, the bulb started to turn off and come back on intermittently after some time had passed just like before. So I'm left to conclude that the fixture, as bad as it looks, is not the underlying cause of this blinky light situation.

I'm really not sure what to check for, but I do have access to the wiring of that fixture from the attic. What should I do next to address this?

-TheSrProgrammer

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

So I turned off the breaker, took down the fixture, and hooked up the test bulb. I then flipped the switch and left it on to see what it would do. To my horror, the bulb started to turn off and come back on intermittently after some time had passed just like before. So I'm left to conclude that the fixture, as bad as it looks, is not the underlying cause of this blinky light situation.

I'm really not sure what to check for, but I do have access to the wiring of that fixture from the attic. What should I do next to address this?

-TheSrProgrammer

check for any loose or corroded connections in the panel box and switch..