I'm curious as to what my problem might be. I was using my bathroom light just fine, shut it off when I left, went to turn it on a moment later and none of the lights turned on. I have three bulbs over the vanity and one recessed light/fan combo near the shower. I figured I must have blown a fuse, so I test the breaker and still the lights didn't work. The outlets work. I tested the GFCI outlet, which works fine, but the lights still didn't turn on. The recessed light will flash on for a split second and then go out when I flick the switch sometimes. The strange thing is that the fan (which must be in the ceiling because there is space around my recessed light for ventilation, but no visible fan) doesn't kick on when I first turn the light switch in the on position, but when I turn the switch on and then off, it'll kick on and remain on for a pre-set amount of time. Turning on in the off switch position? I'm in the process of testing all the bulbs, but could all 4 of my bulbs in different lighting units (vanity and recessed) all burn out at the same moment? I live in a new construction unit, which is only a few years old. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Good afternoon,

I need to get a better understanding of your "Unit" and the physical and logical problems, please.

Is the "unit" a single family, stand-alone home or is it an attached home such as a town-home? Is it a rental unit or a condo unit?

Some general information for you. Typically, but not always, the receptacles in a bathroom are on a different circuit. This is to allow for the posiability that the GFCI receptacle trips you are not left in the dark.

Let me describe your failure to make sure I understood you.

You have a fan/light combination in the area of the tub/shower. There is also vanity over which is a rack of three bulbs, correct?

Your failure is that when you flip the switch, neither of the light sources light up, Also, when you turn off the same switch, the fan motor energizes and runs for a pre-determined time limit. Is that correct?

How many of switches are there in this bathroom? If you look at the switch, do you see the words, "On, Off" on the handle?
I know that sounds like a silly question,but I am trying to figure out what type of swiych is installed in the bathroom.

Hi donf,

Thanks. Yes, you have my situation explained just right. I live in a rental apartment. It is basically an end-unit townhome style apartment (2 floors), sharing only one wall with another unit... this is the top floor bathroom. In addition, there is only one switch in the bathroom that when functioning correctly turns on the vanity lights, recessed light, and fan. As far as I can see, there is and never was any on/off designation printed on the switch.

Thanks again!

Good news / Bad news

Since this is a rental property, you are not allowed to do any electrical work. Omly licensed electrians should do the work.

The bad news is that you get to deal with the complex's management to get the electrican on-site.

The real danger that they are protecting against is the possabilty of fire, should an untrained person make a mistake in the wiring.

Don

I was having trouble changing out all the bulbs because they are screwed in really tight... was hoping that it might be a bulb issue and that I could forego the maintenance call... oh well. Thanks.

Just curious if you have any idea what the problem might be. Do switches or internal wiring just suddenly stop working? I wouldn't mind having an idea of what to expect.