Light switch delay

[sreigle]

I've noticed in the past couple of months there usually is a delay between the time I flip the switch to ON and the time the light in the potty room ceiling actually comes on. There is no noise and neither the switch nor the light fixture seem to heat abnormally.

We've traveled fulltime in this Montana for five years come the end of August. Have we just worn out that switch or do we have a problem?

I've not pulled the switch nor the fixture to check for loose connections. I have pulled both in the past for other reason and will do it again soon, just to check.

Any ideas? Thanks.

[rames14]

Sounds like there must be something wrong in the switch. I think you need to pull it. Good luck, Steve.

[firetrucker]

I think you've got a bad switch, Steve. Pull the switch and short the wires together to double check. These things are pretty cheap, and you might be able to get at the innards and use some cleaner to get some more life out of it.

Bob

[camper4]

Yup. Sounds like the switch is bad.

[H. John Kohl]

Steve,
That should be a 12VDC light. I agree I would look at the switch and I would pull it and check it soonest. 12VDC can get hot and if the fuse does not blow then heat can do bad things. Being over protective.
Lets us know what you find.

[Art-n-Marge]

I had a car that had that problem. I would throw the switch and then it would finally turn on. I was able to open the switch and found the manufacturer had used grease as a lubricant so that the metal pin that toggled the metal contact points was gunked up. I cleaned it up and regreased it, and it worked for a little while, but finally it started doing it again. A trip to the dealer, to buy their special switch (surprise it was not very expensive) and I didn't have any problems after that.

[Emmel]

Steve, could it be "worn" out? You know, off/on too much. LOL!
As everyone else has suggested, I'd be looking at the switch.

[jimcol]

Steve,
Just be patient. Light can only move so fast!

[sreigle]

Thanks, all. I'll pull that switch tomorrow and check it out.

Jim, ain't no way I'm faster than light. Maybe years ago. Lots of years ago.

[sreigle]

Steve (Emmel), yes, worn out is exactly what I think. This Montana will be five years old in August and we've lived in it fulltime its entire life.

I pulled the switch yesterday to check for loose connections. The connections were very tight but I pushed and pulled on them anyhow. Then noticed it seems to be fixed. Sometimes there's still a very slight delay. There's not much for rv dealers here and those here don't have the switches.

I happened to have in a drawer a duplex 12v switch I bought a couple of years ago with intent to install in the thinking room as an alternative on/off switch for the bathroom light. We have the hall light turned off so we don't wake the other when we use that bathroom light. Anyhow, I installed that switch today.

It looks crooked here because the picture is angled. It actually is straight - I used a bubble level!