Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    rocks76's Avatar
    rocks76 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Mar 13, 2009, 10:16 AM
    Single switch doesn't operate; light turns on by itself!
    Not a 3 or 2 way switch, just a single toggle, that does nothing when pushed up or down and light will not turn off. Sometimes banging on wall above switch will turn off light- but it will come back on permanently!! It's a wall sconce with the small dual pronged halogens...

    Any suggestions on troubleshooting? I've examined the connections and ground, hot and neutral are all connected properly. This was never a problem till recently...

    If you want you may also call me at (631) 805 -1819 my name is David in NEw York trying to fix this for my girlfriend!
    bones252100's Avatar
    bones252100 Posts: 253, Reputation: 29
    Full Member
     
    #2

    Mar 14, 2009, 09:08 PM

    Replace the switch. It should be relatively cheap & a quick way to troubleshoot an intermittent problem.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
     
    #3

    Mar 15, 2009, 05:19 AM
    Replacing the switch is an option, if your lady friend is a tenant in one of the millions of apartments, you are not allowed to do the work The super must be called and he/her can either fix the problem or they can get an electrician,

    If your lady friend actually owns the apartment, get a multi meter and check some things first.

    1) black from the meter to black on the switch. Red from the meter to White on the switch. You should see 120 (approximately) between the two leads.

    2) If not, then connect black to the ground conductor and red to the white do you see 120VAC?

    Let us know. Remember if your lady friend is a tenant, then you do not fix the problem.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Change Pilot Light Switch with a Single-way Switch [ 1 Answers ]

It's worth noted that I am a complete novice, so please be patient with me. I want to replace an existing pilot light switch with a single-way lighted switch. The existing setup has four terminals (red wire, black wire, white wire, and ground wire). The red wire goes to the left, the black wire...

Switch won't operate ceiling fan and light [ 6 Answers ]

I've found a few responses that seem to address my ceiling fan dilemma, but can't figure out exactly how to resolve this issue and this is just the first one. I've recently purchased a home and have been replacing ceiling fans that didn't work properly. The first issue is with the ceiling fan in...

Trying to change a single pole light switch to a single pole swith with a light below [ 5 Answers ]

I have a kitchen light and a basement light that are together in one electrical box, but are on single switches. I purchased a "single pole switch and pilot light" combination so I could see easily if the basement light is on. In the box there is a black, red and white wire. For the single pole...

Ceiling Fan single switch/Light two 3-way switches [ 1 Answers ]

How do I wire... Ceiling Fan with Light switched separately. Light to be controlled by two 3-way switches and fan controlled by a separate single switch. :confused:


View more questions Search