Recently wanted to replace an old outdoor flood light with a more modern fixture. When I removed the flood light, the wiring was as follows: 2 whites together, grounds together, one black with marrett and one black going to the flood light. (see photo). The new fixture has three wires: one black, one white, one ground. I connected each of the black from the junction box to the black and white of the new fixture, also connected the grounds. I got power, but the light did not work. I reversed the black and white from the junction box to the new fixture, same result. What can I do to get this right. There were never issues with the old flood light.

Original set up with old flood light.

Kept the 2 whites together

New junction box with black separated for hook up to new fixture.

Switch set up #1

2 black wires on left switch, one black on right switch to outdoor light

Right switch to outdoor light feeds off switch on left

 

Welcome to the forums.

You are switching black (hot) at the switch and the white wire is spliced to neutral. That means at your light..... only one cable will be switched and used. You need to locate which cable (white and black) becomes live with the switch on. The other cable gets capped off.

 

I separated the 2 whites at the light. Turned power back on. Tested all 4 wires and get power on all 4.

 

You need to use a voltage tester or meter. A non contact tester only tells you that you have dangerous voltage in the area.

If you have your fixture handy..... connect it to one pair at a time. One pair should be live and the other dead.

 

Thank you for your help, I found the live black and white and capped off the other black and white. Connected the fixture and it works the way it should. Thanks again.

 

Good job. You're welcome.