I have a floor lamp with a knob that has three clicks, so I know that a 3 way bulb is supposed to work in it. However, the only light that works in the 3 way bulbs is in the middle click position. How can I get the fixture to work properly with the 3 way bulbs?

hkstroud

Are you sure that the bulb is good. Three way bulbs have two filaments in them. Click one turns on the first, usually 50 watt filament, click two turns on the next or 100 watt filament. Click three turns on both filaments. The low or 50 watt filament is always the first to go because it gets used more that the 100 watt. The light will still burn on the 100 watt filament.

stacysokol

Yes, I am positive that the bulb is good. I have already used one 3 way bulb and it burned out today. I replaced the bulb with another 3 way bulb, and this one doesn't work either. Both bulbs only worked on the second click.

medic-dan

Could be a bad connection.

Unplug the lamp, take out the bulb and look at the socket. You should see two contacts in there (the third is the screw part). Make sure they're clean and shiny, use a pencil eraser if you have to to clean them. If either of them is burned pretty bad, replace the socket.

hkstroud

I'd say replace the socket then. Cheap and easy to do.