Electrical short in ceiling light over washer--yikes!!?

Question

When I turned on the light, it made a big pop sound and the light bulbs did not light up. After a few choice words, I kept loading the washing machine. The washer would not start, and the circuit braker was blown. I reset the breaker and tried to start the washer. The light fixture again made a loud pop. I checked that the breaker was fully off, and opened the fixture, and took out the two bulbs. There was some soot on one bulb fixture and the warning label looked well browned.

I dont want to get taken by an electrician, so any clue as to what is wrong, and how to fix it is really appreciated. If it is something I can fix myself, that would be good too.

THANKS!!!!

Answer 1

You don't want to get "taken" by an electrician so I won't bother helping with your question. Just remember, electrical fires cost much more than electricians.

Answer 2

That can be dangerous, so be careful.

First, be sure to leave the breaker open, so that no electricity is getting through.
Then look for where the soot is coming from.
It sounds like a short, but it might just be burned out bulbs.

If it did that pop thing twice it may be two wires touching.
If you don't see it right at the bulb outlet, take the fixture off and look at the wires. A short will show burned wires.

If you find burnt wires, get a wire clipper and cut the ends off.
Go to the hardware store and buy wire connections twists. These are little yellow or orange (depends on size wire) hat shaped plastic things. There may be some there already under the fixture. If so, use the same color.

Clip the wires, and reconnect them to two new wires to create a link again to the fixture. Go on line and look at pictures under "rewiring light fixture" on google. You should see all you need.

Close the breaker again and it should work.

Answer 3

Sounds like an electrical short , shouldnt be too hard to fix, you could do it yourself easily .. just shut off the braker , remove the 2 screws holding the light fixture to the cieling & disconnect the wires , Buy a new fixture & replace, make sure you replace the wire caps connecting the fixture to the power source . Double check to make sure the braker is off before you begin or you'll get zapped

Answer 4

start with the simple stuff. take the lamps out of the fixture and then reset the breaker and turn the lights on. if the breaker doesn't trip then try new light bulbs. if the breaker does trip pull down the fixture and look for black marks and bare wire.

Answer 5

Well it is interesting that the first time it happened you were turning on the light, and the second time it happened, you were turning on the washer. So that leads me to believe that the second time the lights were on and blew when you started the washer. It does sound like a short. If it was only when you turned on the light, look for tight connections in the light fixture box and the switch box. If it also happens when you turn on your washer, check the outlet box where the washer is plugged in. You are looking for tight wire connectors on all wires, no bare wires (other than the ground), in most cases - white to white, black to black, etc.

Answer 6

It sounds like one of the sockets on the fixture is bad. Shut the breaker off and replace the fixture.