[rjeff]

I have been having problems with the light on my fan for awhile. The fan works fine. They both work from pull strings. The light would flicker and I would take out the bulb and put it back in and it would work. When it flickered again, I would play with the bulb until it stayed on. Now, no matter what I do, I can't get it to stay on, but it does flicker at certain points. How do I fix?

[jamesdavino]

Jeff, first of all, how old is the fan? If it's pretty old the socket the bulb goes in needs replacement either because the homeowner screws the bulb in too tight which can be fixed sometimes simply by removing the bulb and then shutting off power to fan and with a flashlight shine it into the socket where you'll see a copper teardrop shaped connection dead center of socket. Take a small flathead screwdriver and gently pry up that contact to prevent it from bottoming out. Sometimes this is the problem often caused by over tightening the bulb. The most common problem is aged sockets which over time causes the wire or wires soldered or crimped to the end of the sockets to melt off or become too loose which causes faulty connections. You can either replace the socket for $3 at Lowe's or Home depot or any hardware store or buy a new light kit at any of the above mentioned stores. Either way you'll feel good about yourself when completed. Light kits are usually universal and don't require removal of the fan just the light section which is usually 3 tint screws or 1 screw off knob in the center..

[jamesdavino]

Jeff, first of all, how old is the fan? If it's pretty old the socket the bulb goes in needs replacement either because the homeowner screws the bulb in too tight which can be fixed sometimes simply by removing the bulb and then shutting off power to fan and with a flashlight shine it into the socket where you'll see a copper teardrop shaped connection dead center of socket. Take a small flathead screwdriver and gently pry up that contact to prevent it from bottoming out. Sometimes this is the problem often caused by over tightening the bulb. The most common problem is aged sockets which over time causes the wire or wires soldered or crimped to the end of the sockets to melt off or become too loose which causes faulty connections. You can either replace the socket for $3 at Lowe's or Home depot or any hardware store or buy a new light kit at any of the above mentioned stores. Either way you'll feel good about yourself when completed. Light kits are usually universal and don't require removal of the fan just the light section which is usually 3 tiny screws or 1 screw off knob in the center..

[jamesdavino]

Jeff, first of all, how old is the fan? If it's pretty old the socket the bulb goes in needs replacement either because the homeowner screws the bulb in too tight which can be fixed sometimes simply by removing the bulb and then shutting off power to fan and with a flashlight shine it into the socket where you'll see a copper teardrop shaped connection dead center of socket. Take a small flathead screwdriver and gently pry up that contact to prevent it from bottoming out. Sometimes this is the problem often caused by over tightening the bulb. The most common problem is aged sockets which over time causes the wire or wires soldered or crimped to the end of the sockets to melt off or become too loose which causes faulty connections. You can either replace the socket for $3 at Lowe's or Home depot or any hardware store or buy a new light kit at any of the above mentioned stores. Either way you'll feel good about yourself when completed. Light kits are usually universal and don't require removal of the fan just the light section which is usually 3 tiny screws or 1 screw off knob in the center.. Kits are cheap too..

[ballengerb1]

I assume have tried replacing the bulb. James gives good advice. If the flicker continues with a new bulb thenI agree the socket is suspect. I have such a socket on my garage door opener. I greased the bulb threads with an electrical conducting grease I bought at Radio Shack. Heat Sink Grease (6g) - RadioShack.com