Bathroom pull light making buzz noises and not working

[attackon]

Hi all

Have a look at at this video:

https://streamable.com/txnuqr

I changed all the bathroom lights to GU10 and this has been working fine for a few month except recently. Not sure if that makes any difference. Lately I have had to pull the light twice in quick succession (!) before it would work and today it won't work unless you pull the string at an angle and/or hold at it for a while lol.

I have no experience with electricity/lights and or replacing this but from what I read, it may be a fairly easy job? Should I look into it doing myself? I can turn off the electricity from our circuit breaker.

Not sure if this still helps?


Thanks for any help or advice, it would help massively as we are currently with a light in the bathroom!

 

[terryplumb]

Fit a new switch ,it's quite simple to do ,but you should turn off all mains power first.

 

[JohnD]

Have you got some wires twisted together and wrapped in sticky tape?

 

[Winglet]

I was in the same situation as you last night. My switch had got stuck so I couldnt turn the light off without wiggling and pulling it in all directions to get it to click off.
Bought this one from Screwfix today: https://www.screwfix.com/p/crabtree-capital-6a-1-way-pull-cord-switch-white/63249

Take a photo on your phone of how the old one looks so you can see how and where things go once you disconnnect it all.

You'll need to first TURN OFF YOUR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

Then unscrew the old plate and install the new one. Make sure it is screwed into a secure point eg. Wooden joist otherwise it will just fall down when you pull the cord.
Pass the wires through and connect to the terminals.
Check all wires secure.
Place the cover on.
Turn electricity supply back on.
Done

 

[sparkwright]

As JohnD has indicated, remove that red tape and check all looks healthy.

 

[attackon]

Thanks for all the replies! I wasn't home yesterday so couldn't reply.

I was in the same situation as you last night. My switch had got stuck so I couldnt turn the light off without wiggling and pulling it in all directions to get it to click off.
Bought this one from Screwfix today: https://www.screwfix.com/p/crabtree-capital-6a-1-way-pull-cord-switch-white/63249

Take a photo on your phone of how the old one looks so you can see how and where things go once you disconnnect it all.

You'll need to first TURN OFF YOUR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

Then unscrew the old plate and install the new one. Make sure it is screwed into a secure point eg. Wooden joist otherwise it will just fall down when you pull the cord.
Pass the wires through and connect to the terminals.
Check all wires secure.
Place the cover on.
Turn electricity supply back on.
Done

Appreciate your response mate. That's encouraging to hear that it should be 'simple'. My one clicks and pulls fine, the issue is that it seems like the connection is 'off'; I need to pull the cord in some direction for the light to come on but then it wouldn't stay on as I need to find some magical angle and hold it there for a certain time

Have you got some wires twisted together and wrapped in sticky tape?

Pic also here: https://ibb.co/2ytj0v3 and https://ibb.co/vLkqcwt

Does this look fine? As I can pull the cord no problem, should I unscrew the middle part to see if any part is unloose or something?

If I need to replace, can I buy this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-6a-2...el/371cc#product_additional_details_container

My switch is only for the bathroom light, nothing else.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[terryplumb]

Other than the earth conductor being bare ,not sleeved in green/ yellow , the wiring connections look fine.
As previously advised fit a new switch.
The one in your link will do.

 

[EFLImpudence]

should I unscrew the middle part to see if any part is unloose or something?

I would. It is encouraging that you even ask.

Careful - there will be a spring in there.

Better buy a new one first.

 

[attackon]

Other than the earth conductor being bare ,not sleeved in green/ yellow , the wiring connections look fine.
As previously advised fit a new switch.
The one in your link will do.

I would. It is encouraging that you even ask.

Careful - there will be a spring in there.

Better buy a new one first.

Thanks, I will buy the new one and then report back

 

[attackon]

Other than the earth conductor being bare ,not sleeved in green/ yellow , the wiring connections look fine.
As previously advised fit a new switch.
The one in your link will do.

Forgot to ask, when I install the new one, should I cover the exposed wires with tape again like how it was initially?

 

[winston1]

No, tape is a bodge.

 

[attackon]

No, tape is a bodge.

Should I leave it exposed then? I mean it'll be under the cover but is that right?!

 

[winston1]

Green/yellow sleeving is what is used.

 

[JohnD]

And red sleeving over the black Switched Live.

You can buy little packets of cut sleeving in mixed colours on ebay or some DIY shops if you don't need to buy it by the metre or the reel.

 

[Winglet]

I wouldnt bother opening up the switch iteself. Just buy a new one.