Help ! Pickled Florescent Light Fixture

[tntxajun]

Help please,
I have a 4 tube kitchen light fixture I think is fried. (so to speak)
It is failing to light with the exception of only 1 tube with only a faint
degree of visible light. The other 3 tubes are completely void of any hint
of anything.

Its an older fixture about 12 years or so with no visible starter outside
of the cover.

Only 2 of the 4 tubes have been working in the last several weeks.
The wall on/off switch has been changed and working correctly.

There have been a few instances when the two would come on correctly
but now its zilch except for the very faint glow in only 1 tube.

The tubes were checked and worked fine in another fixture.

Does anyone know of any other tests to try before I determine the ballasts are gone ?
Is there anyway to check a ballast to see if its good or not?

I assume there is two because it is a 4 light fixture but I have not
tried to remove the cover as of yet.

I hate to try and replace the critter because finding one to fit the same
size will be next to impossible with the selections we have in this area, and I was not wanting to repaint the ceiling to boot.

Any and all assistance would be so welcomed and appreciated.

Jack~

 

[bud lite]

Here's what I do with Pickled Florescent Light Fixtures.
Put in all new bulbs. If it still doesn't work and there's no loose connections, etc. it's very probably the ballast.
Lowes and Home Depot carry replacement ballasts.
Take the old one with you.
( Make a drawing of the wires and connections before removing it.)
If it's very unusual you may have to try an appliance repair shop.
Good luck.

 

[mgwerks]

What Bud said. No rocket science involved, just get the wires back on correctly.

 

[tntxajun]

Thanks for the information,,, Kinda knew that but had my fingers crossed
for a magic cure.
Successful Smokes to all, and again many thanks for the replies.

Jack~

 

[mballi3011]

What he said go get a new ballast and you'll be good as new or even better is go buy a new fixture and it all will be new. Same number of wires for about the same $$$$

 

[bigsteve]

Turn off the BREAKER before you start. Turning off the wall switch won't be enough if someone before you incorrectly wired things up!

 

[beer-b-q]

I would photograph the wiring instead of trying to draw it. JMO

 

[crockadale]

They are cheep get a new fixture...had the same problem, the best fix was a new fixtures.

 

[rivet]

I'm with him^^^^

A few years back I had the "real old fixture with bad ballast" problem and ordered ballast from the local harware store. Long story short, had to go through 3 iterations since the "new" ballasts didn't work. Apparently the fixture model was rare. Also ended up during one trip with a ballast with more wires than the old one had (!).

Get a whole new fixture for a lot less money.