Kitchen Flourescent fixture problems

First off...I am not an electrician, just trying to understand the logic of this problem before I get someone to come out to look at it... My kitchen fixture on the ceiling(2 double flourescent bulbs about 1 1/2 ft. apart) has been acting up for some time. One of the double lights does not brighten up completely. Changed both bulbs-hoping for a better outcome. Unfortunately the problem remained so the entire fixture on that side was changed by my husband(also not too electrically gifted) thinking the balast went bad or was on the verge of doing so. Well, the light acts the same again. This particular fixture (4 bulbs with only the 2 closest to the switch acting up), is connected with 2 wall switches-one on each end of the kitchen.

Now, I am ready to fix this dimming problem with professional help if need be but just wanted to understand what I might be dealing with.

Any ideas??

Thanks,
Sandy

 

Just a shot in the dark, but, many Flourescent lamps (bulbs) will not ignite completely or at all if there is not a good ground connection within an inch or so from the lamp. So, a fixture with a metal housing will act as a good ground for the tubes to perform correctly if the metal housing is grounded correctly.
In effect I'm suggesting that you check the ground connection at the circuit, then, from the circuit to the fixture.

 

Thanks Ron,
Now I will throw this idea towards my husband hoping that he knows how to check the ground connection at the circuit. Is this procedure difficult?

Thanks,
sanjoe