I have just replaced an old 3 way (knob style) lamp socket with a new 3 way pull chain lamp socket. The bulb is good, but the lamp only lights on 1 stage. What did I do wrong?

Are you sure the bulb works as a three-way? If so, maybe the central contact in the new socket is pushed down. Disconnect the lamp and pull it up a bit with your finger.

A three way socket actually has two hot contacts at the bottom of the socket, the typical one in the center that can be adjusted up and down, and just off center is another contact that is a non-adjustable tab like contact.

If you look at the bottom of a three way light bulb, you will see two contacts, the center one is a spot of solder, and the other is a metal ring all around the center contact.

The center contact may be adjusted too high, preventing the blub to seat down to hit the tab contact.

A three way socket actually has two hot contacts at the bottom of the socket, the typical one in the center that can be adjusted up and down, and just off center is another contact that is a non-adjustable tab like contact.

If you look at the bottom of a three way light bulb, you will see two contacts, the center one is a spot of solder, and the other is a metal ring all around the center contact.

The center contact may be adjusted too high, preventing the blub to seat down to hit the tab contact.

This had been driving me crazy as I just replaced a corroded socket and the new one was only coming on at the high setting. Slight finger pressure on the center contact made it function correctly.

Seems I was right again.


This had been driving me crazy as I just replaced a corroded socket and the new one was only coming on at the high setting. Slight finger pressure on the center contact made it function correctly.

I hate saying "I told you so".

It is now July 17th, 2010. I had the same problem. Thank you! Pressing down the middle pin worked!!