Mirror Light Pull String Not Working

[Merlin5]

Hello chaps.

The pull string for my 9 year old bathroom mirror light pull string has been threatening to stop working for a few months. I'd pull it and nothing would happen but eventually, say a day or two later, I'd pull it and it would turn on or off. For the last week or so I've had no luck, I simply can't turn it off. If I try different angles like pulling the cord to the left and right I can hear a click but it's not engaging in order to turn it off. There's a couple of screws on the left and a couple on the right and couple of tiny holes underneath. Is this fixable and how would I do that? I'm no good with electrics. Do I need to turn the fuse off at the fuse box (presumably just one fuse enables bathroom mirror, shaver socket and extractor fan?), remove the mirror from the wall, and then if it's possible to remove the back of it, spray with some electrical cleaner?

 

[terryplumb]

Probably fitting a new switch would sort it. That would need power to be isolated to the mirror ,and testing to make sure it's dead. Then removal and disassembly ,and sourcing a replacement switch.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If the light is now stuck on, just find the MCB (fuse?) which turns it off, then turn it back on to confirm it, then back off. You should then be safe to remove the mirror and get at the switch. Take a close up of the switch and someone might be able to link to a replacement for it. I think I know what type it will be, but lets be sure...

 

[Taylortwocities]

Its probably one of these. but need to see behind the mirror to confirm
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01L4P2KXY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_YKDEB0V8FFV9ZSPF4XKY

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Its probably one of these. but need to see behind the mirror to confirm
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01L4P2KXY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_YKDEB0V8FFV9ZSPF4XKY

That is the one I had in mind

 

[Merlin5]

Thank you very much chaps. I'll switch various fuses off in my fuse box tomorrow to find out which one turns off power to the bathroom mirror. The wires connected to the mirror won't shock me once the fuse is off, right?

Taylortwocities, that switch you linked looks good and dead cheap! Maybe it'll be the one I need. Will report back with photos sometime tomorrow.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thank you very much chaps. I'll switch various fuses off in my fuse box tomorrow to find out which one turns off power to the bathroom mirror. The wires connected to the mirror won't shock me once the fuse is off, right?

If you want to be absolutely sure, turn the main switch off whilst you do the work.

Reason is that there is a very slight chance if there are two neutrals connected at the back of the mirror, that there might be what is called a 'borrowed neutral'.

However - If there is only one flex, or one twin and earth feeding the mirror, there can be no borrowed neutral.

 

[Merlin5]

If you want to be absolutely sure, turn the main switch off whilst you do the work.

Reason is that there is a very slight chance if there are two neutrals connected at the back of the mirror, that there might be what is called a 'borrowed neutral'.

However - If there is only one flex, or one twin and earth feeding the mirror, there can be no borrowed neutral.

Thanks Harry, I'll assume by main switch you're referring to a master switch in the fuse box that would turn everything off in my flat.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks Harry, I'll assume by main switch you're referring to a master switch in the fuse box that would turn everything off in my flat.

Yes - that is the way to be absolutely safe and dispel any doubts.

 

[Taylortwocities]

 

[Merlin5]

Ok, there's a dozen switches in my MK fuse box and I flipped the red master switch which turned everything off. Removing the mirror was easier than I expected. I thought I wouldn't be able to rest the mirror (only a small wash basin below it) and would have to hold the mirror while unscrewing the wires from it, but it just comes away as a separate piece which I've laid down on a soft surface, and it reveals the wiring arrangement behind.

On the small string pull switch, I loosened the screw in the middle of the black plastic bit and I'm able to get the string pull turning the light on and off. But when the screw is tightened back fully, it doesn't click on and off. So for now I can leave the screw loosened. Although it still doesn't work on every pull so I'm going to leave it switched off until I get a new switch.

I presume I need to remove that screw completely to be able to pull the switch out from the metal clip, but how do I remove the two red live wires from the switch, will there be a screw for each wire on the back of the switch?

 

[EFLImpudence]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/4-200-Amp-pull-cord-switch/dp/B003E74UBQ

The wires are brown.

 

[Merlin5]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/4-200-Amp-pull-cord-switch/dp/B003E74UBQ

The wires are brown.

Excellent, thanks! I'll order that switch. Easy peasy then, as I see the two screws on that Amazon photo which will take the two brown wires. Yes, don't book me to defuse a bomb for you, I might confuse the red and brown.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I presume I need to remove that screw completely to be able to pull the switch out from the metal clip, but how do I remove the two red live wires from the switch, will there be a screw for each wire on the back of the switch?

Looking at other examples of the switch, once you undo the main fixing screw and pull it out of the plastic bracket, the actual switch has small screw terminals.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Dear @Merlin5 do you fancy a quick game of spot the pedant?