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Topic: Ceiling light not connected to a switch (Read 660 times) previous topic - next topic

Ceiling light not connected to a switch

We recently purchased a 1998 U320 36' WTFE and one of the ceiling lights in the bathroom was not working.  Pulled the cover and discovered it had no bulb.  Ordered a replacement bulb and once installed it worked great......until I went to turn it off.  Apparently someone had repaired the fixture and bypassed the switch...or there is a switch somewhere that I simply can't locate.  In our floorplan, there are two narrow fluorescent lights in the bath area.  The light in question is the forward light over the washer/dryer.  The rear light is connected to a 3 way on the bathroom cabinet and on the wall to the bedroom. 

Any help on where a switch might be located or suggestions on how to address this issue would be greatly appreciated.
David & Judy
1996 U295 36' CAI

Re: Ceiling light not connected to a switch

Reply #1 –
Quote from: dwm0706 –
We recently purchased a 1998 U320 36' WTFE and one of the ceiling lights in the bathroom was not working.  Pulled the cover and discovered it had no bulb.  Ordered a replacement bulb and once installed it worked great......until I went to turn it off.  Apparently someone had repaired the fixture and bypassed the switch...or there is a switch somewhere that I simply can't locate.  In our floorplan, there are two narrow fluorescent lights in the bath area.  The light in question is the forward light over the washer/dryer.  The rear light is connected to a 3 way on the bathroom cabinet and on the wall to the bedroom. 

Any help on where a switch might be located or suggestions on how to address this issue would be greatly appreciated.
There are 3 switches in the hall next to the sink on ours, and the middle one works that light.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Ceiling light not connected to a switch

Reply #2 –
David,

It could just be the Carling switch has went bad and needs to be replaced.
While you are in the area working on the switches now would be a good time to locate the relay that makes your 3 way switch work for the other light you are talking about. Push light switch on  then off and listen for the relay to operate/click. Repeat till you narrow down your search as you may find it hid under a false floor under the rear TV like ours is.  Once this relay dies and you need to replace it you will understand how important it is to know its location.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Ceiling light not connected to a switch

Reply #3 –
Look under the upper china cabinet.  Could be 2 switches there, one for china cabinet down lights and the other for the bath light?  Woody.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Ceiling light not connected to a switch

Reply #4 –
Thanks for all the suggestions.  All of the switches mentioned are connected to working lights so apparently, one of those switches should have also connected to the non-working light.  I'll contact FOT and see if they have a schematic that shows how the lights were originally wired.

I'll send a follow-up if I get it figured out.
David & Judy
1996 U295 36' CAI

Re: Ceiling light not connected to a switch

Reply #5 –
On my unit that light is connected to the switch that controls both that light and the downward facing lights the puck ones in the bathroom. I don't know why those two lights are connected together and it's kind of an annoyance to me. I would rather have had a separate switch for each separate circuit so I could put the puck lights on by themselves. Maybe somebody like me was annoying and just disconnected it I'm not sure. But my guess is pull the switches out and see if that circuit was disconnected from that switch. I think it's the middle switch but I'm not sure.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Ceiling light not connected to a switch

Reply #6 –
On my sink cabinet there are 3 switches. The first is for under cabinet puck lights. The second is for both the light above the mirror and the fluorescent in the ceiling in front of the washer/dryer. The third is the 3 way switch for the other ceiling fluorescent in the bathroom
John & Genni Kerbs
ex 1993 U280 40'
1997 U320 40"
Build #5171
Engine: M11 450
Floor plan: walk thru bath