wierd problem with light
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 249
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From: Marshalltown, IA
wierd problem with light
I have a light in a ceiling fan that turns on and off every few minutes. Itll turn on when i flip the switch, stay on a minute or two, then turn off. It stays off a few minutes then will turn back on. I've tried 2 new bulbs and they all do the same. Any idea what could cause this?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
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From: Southern MD
Originally Posted by oldgoat49
Broken or loose wire or maybe a bad switch. Either way I'd be finding out before taking a chance or a short.
My money is on a loose mechanical connection of the wires inside the ceiling fan, or, in the wall switch.
Turn off the circuit, then remove the wall switch and check the connections.
Replace the switch, also. Cheap fix. Maybe $3.00.
If that doesn't fix it, turn the circuit off again, then drop the ceiling fan and look at the wires, and the wire nuts.
My semi-educated guess is that the conductors are not tightly connected inside of the wire nuts.
Sometimes the installer (who/whomever it is) didn't strip the insulation back far enough, or didn't tighten the wire nuts enough.
Reassemble and test.
One question. . . . your house isn't wired with aluminum is it??????
If it is. . . disregard what I wrote and call in a licensed electrician to get that crap out of your house!!!!!!!!
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
Originally Posted by 00BlueOvalRanger
One question. . . . your house isn't wired with aluminum is it??????
If it is. . . disregard what I wrote and call in a licensed electrician to get that crap out of your house!!!!!!!!
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Senior User
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From: Marshalltown, IA
Thankfully I do not have aluminum wiring. I've tried 40 and 60 watt bulbs. I'll take a look at the switch and wiring today, thanks
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: KCMO
If it's on a dimmer switch, the solid state circuit could be overheating, then shutting off until it cools enough to re-switch. I'v heard of this problem before, when the dimmer is loaded beyond its cpacity.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,155
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From: sunny fla sometimes windy
The wire or connector somewhere is getting heated and it loses contact with the connector or wire it is in. Go over each connection in the circuit and make sure
they are tight. Be sure you kill the power at the box or the power will be sure to
kill you!! And keep your left hand in your pocket when working on household wiring
since the veins in your left arm go right to your heart!!
they are tight. Be sure you kill the power at the box or the power will be sure to
kill you!! And keep your left hand in your pocket when working on household wiring
since the veins in your left arm go right to your heart!!
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 249
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From: Marshalltown, IA
It is on a dimmer, I'm going to tear into it tonite. It's definately not a flicker, it'll go on and off for a couple minutes at a time. 
I've never seen anything do this either.
I've never seen anything do this either.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
Take the fan down from the ceiling and make sure the box is a fan box and then check the connections in the ceiling by undoing them, cutting, stripping, and putting a new nut on. I like to wrap the electric nuts and wires in tape too.