Yard light quit working
 

My yard light stopped working. Replaced the bulbs and still didn't work. Replaced the light sensor and still didn't work. The circuit breaker is fine and all the wire connections are tight. The bulbs are good. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

I have no idea but I'm watching to see who knows!

Check to see if the GFI outlet in the Garage is tripped.

Greg,
You have done all of the correct things. If you have a TIC tester that would help. The post light normally runs off of a 15 amp breaker that is NOT part of the GFCI in the garage.....normally.

Just a few things here. Sometimes the electric eye takes a few minutes to activate after you cover it up. You might not be giving it enough time.

A TIC tester will help, as the first step would be to see if you are getting power to the electric eye before the electric eye. If you are, then you know it is not the underground wire or the breaker. If you are not, then it is one of those two things. Next, wire the electric eye, cover it up, cover it up WELL, then wait a bit and see if you are getting power past the electric eye. if you are, then it must be the wiring of the fixture. Sometimes you might not have a good ground on the fixture. If you are not, it is a bad electric eye.

Lastly, check the fixture wiring. Check the prong at the bottom of the socket, and each socket, (if you have the 3 light type).

Common problems I have found in this project are;
1) Not giving enough time for the electric eye to activate. Sometimes they activate instantly, sometimes they take up to 3-4 minutes.
2) Bad ground.
3) Landscaper cuts the underground wire.
4) Bad socket(s)
5) Blown bulb(s)
6) Defective electric eye

Sounds like you very much know what you are doing....hope this helped a bit. Good luck!

Respectfully, Frank D.

If you have had any landscaping done, the workers may have nicked or cut the wire. If you are getting power before the electric eye, then this is not the problem. Just wondered if you had any landscaping done recently.

Take the light fixture off and pull out the wires and check the incoming line (the one in the plastic casing) for 110 volts. If you have power there, it's the sensor, bulb or fixture. If no power there, it's in the garage or the line. You'll have to track it back with a tester.

Cut the power by flipping the breaker and then clean the socket. Did I mention that you should cut the power before doing this? When I moved in, mine was not working. Took out the bulb and there was a bunch of dead bug debris and dirt both in the socket and on the bulb electrodes. The bulb couldn't even be screwed in all the way. It is true that it takes a little while for the sensor to switch the bulb on after you block the light, most of them will instantly turn the bulb on for a short while as soon as power is applied, i.e. after the circuit breaker is turned on.

I know our lamppost is off a g.f.I. breaker for the garage circuit.

yard light
 

I took the light apart again and re-checked all the connections, but it looks like the real culprit was the accumulation of bugs and debris. Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to my post.

I was going to suggest either an animal or a landscaper. We have had both! Our gas company in Michigan told us a swarm of bees ate through their wire. And, landscapers cut an air conditioning wire at our condo on St. Augustine Beach! Go figure!

i just had to change my bulb and replaced it with what i had handy, a 25 watt candle type glass bulb...is this ok for an outside lamp? the old one was 15 watts regular style bulb as far as i could tell. please advise :)

It's ok to use that type of bulb but you should consider replacing it with an LED bulb the next time. They are more expensive but have a lifespan of
20+ years.

Yard light quit working
 

An LED will attract fewer bugs, too. You can apply a LIGHT coat of Vaseline on the threads of the bulb, too, to help conductivity, especially on outdoor fixtures. Just don't smear it across the black glass insulator onto the button on the bottom; just on the screw threads. Should help you never having to replace that bulb again!

We have been having same issue. We just changed (again) the yard lamp and when that blows the kitchen lights go out! Your thoughts?

Yard light quit working
 

Sounds like a gfci is tripping. Is water collecting in the lamp? Does it happen when it rains? Do you have to reset a breaker to get the kitchen light back on?