Kitchen strip light not working, any ideas?

[Talulaley]

The kitchen ceiling strip light stopped working Sunday evening. Yesterday I bought a replacement bulb and tried to fit it..it's in (it's one you twist to fix in place), but the light isn't working.

I've checked the fuse box, all ok. The bulb is the right one, I've checked and double checked.

I read something online about starters, but can't see one, so think it is built in.

The strange thing, yesterday when I was trying to fit it, with the light switch off, when touching the bulb it was flickering a little ..??

Any ideas what else I could check? I've never had to change one before.

[LIZS]

Starter ? It's a small metallic cylinder which slides into one end if the fitting.

[Akire]

It's a starter thing or balester they are called. it's cotton reel size thing that plugs in and flicks it on.

[Talulaley]

I can't see anything though, both ends look the same, nothing seems to slide out.

[mawbroon]

Find the starter, put the light switch on and give the starter a gentle bash.

This sometimes kicks a flickering fluorescent light into action

[Talulaley]

Ah I've found the starter now, it wasn't where I expected it to be.

I'll try bashing it

[Talulaley]

It's not flickering now, it's not coming on st at all

[wowfudge]

A new one will cost you about £1 from B&Q, Screwfix, CEF. A large supermarket might even stock them.

[Talulaley]

Thanks, I'll go to b&q tomorrow.

[wowfudge]

Take the dead one with you as they are not all the same.

[mangocoveredlamb]

I was going to say the starter.
Once, as a student, I paid an electrician to come out and fix my broken light. It was just the starter!

[Talulaley]

I replaced the starter, but it still isn't working. I've asked the landlord to come and look at it now.