Outside light goes out

[MarlynOC]

Have an outside light over door. When I turn on switch the lights go on but after about 3 seconds they go out with switch still on. Tried new bulbs and still goes out. Turn switch off then back on and does same thing. Any idea what could cause this? It is a two bulb outdoor overhead lamp fixture.

 

[a1z2s3x4]

Is there a daylight sensor attached in the circuit somewhere? I've seen some dusk/dawn lights that light up when initially switched on, but go out after a few seconds if it is daylight. If that is the case, then either you are testing it during the daylight hours, or the sensor has gone bad. However, in my experience, when the daylight sensor goes bad, the light stays on all the time...

 

[MarlynOC]

No sensor in the light. Happens when it is dark outside or light.

 

[k-os]

Have you tried replacing the switch?

 

[MarlynOC]

No, will do that next. Thanks.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

What kind of fixture and what kind of bulb is in it?

 

[MarlynOC]

Outside two bulb overhead light. Both bulbs work fine in a light on a table alone. The wall switch is probably quite a few years old.

 

[teamextreme]

Before you just start replacing things you need to do some testing.
1. Remove a bulb and test voltage at the socket after the lights go out. Voltage present? Bad bulb. No voltage? Got to step 2.
2. Dismount fixture and check voltage at the wire nuts. You can stick meter leads inside the nuts without disconnecting anything. Voltage present? Bad fixture. No voltage? Go to step 3.
3. Check voltage at the switch. Should have voltage to ground or neutral on both screws of the switch with in on. Voltage present? Your place is haunted. No voltage on one terminal? Replace switch.

 

[ordpete944]

Before you just start replacing things you need to do some testing.
1. Remove a bulb and test voltage at the socket after the lights go out. Voltage present? Bad bulb. No voltage? Got to step 2.
2. Dismount fixture and check voltage at the wire nuts. You can stick meter leads inside the nuts without disconnecting anything. Voltage present? Bad fixture. No voltage? Go to step 3.
3. Check voltage at the switch. Should have voltage to ground or neutral on both screws of the switch with in on. Voltage present? Your place is haunted. No voltage on one terminal? Replace switch.

I agree with this.