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biohazard · Dec 13, 2008, 03:19 PM

Howdy all-

I have two recessed "can" style lights in my living room, controlled on a three way switch. Anyway, last week, one of the two lights went out (CFL flood). When I went to change it, I found that unscrewing it a little turned the light back on, but as soon as I let go, gravity pulled it a tad and it would turn back off. Screwing the light in and changing the angle of the light seemed to turn it on and off, which bothered me and had me thinking of short or loose wiring. I didn't install these fixtures, don't know if they're IC or non-IC, or much else about them... just wondering the best way to troubleshoot it (loose wiring connection?) or if its likely something internal to the fixture and it should just be replaced.

I'm plenty confident replacing receptacles and switches and installing ceiling fans / light fixtures, just don't have much experience with these fixtures.

Thanks
BH

tkrussell · Dec 14, 2008, 08:21 AM

I have run into this before.

The wires connected to the sockets are riveted onto the socket terminals.

I have found the rivet loosened, and causes an intermittent connection.

You would need to change the socket with the same socket and wire leads.

I have never had any luck trying to solder or crimp the connections at the socket to eliminate the looseness.

Before just changing the socket because I said so, perhaps you can check the connections to see if there is any wiggling at either wire connection.

You may try soldering, see if you have better luck than I have had.

I have also found the metal of screw shell of the cracked right at the wire connection.

biohazard · Dec 29, 2008, 07:46 PM

I replaced the fixture with a near-identical unit (Non-IC, remodel fixture)... I'm surprised because the fixture that failed had a manufacture date of August 2005, so I'm hoping the new one lasts longer. Still, thanks for the advice.