# Refrigerator light **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 26, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-light/620030 "2012-04-26T16:03:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-light/620030/1 "2012-04-26T16:03:14Z")
The light in my Whirlpool refrigerator stopped working. A replacement bulb works in a lamp but not in the fridge. I tried to take off the housing and control module the bulb socket is attached to but after removing three screws (all that I can see) I still cannot demount it. Any advice ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-light/620030/2 "2012-04-26T16:04:27Z")
Sounds like the switch is the more likely suspect than the bulb. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-light/620030/3 "2012-04-26T16:23:15Z")
check to see if the old bulb works in the lamp. if it does not then the switch may be bad. also a common problem is the bulb contacts can get corroded or bent. with the refrigerator unplugged look in the bulb socket and see that the contact points are shiny (clean with bit of sandpaper). see that the center contact isn’t pressed flat but is angled up so that you feel the bulb touch it as you screw the bulb in the socket. ---
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-light/620030/4 "2012-04-26T16:37:06Z")
I was endeavoring to investigate further. All lights that DO NOT work in the Fridge work in the lamp. I was hoping to take out the module that has the socket in it for further study but the only three screws I can find are gone and I can’t get it out. Really don’t want to pull on it real real hard. ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-light/620030/5 "2012-04-26T16:41:11Z")
Assuming that the switch you’re talking about is a rocker switch that opens up when the door opens, the switch may just have gotten sticky from various spills that have hit it over the years and may not be opening fully. Open the door and manually pull the switch to its full extended position. If the light goes on when you do so, you may be able to work the switch open and closed manually a couple of times to “un-stick” it. Or maybe not. But it’s a cheap “solution”. ---
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-light/620030/6 "2012-04-26T16:46:38Z")
When I examine the socket I see a metal contact at the bottom, but the sides are plastic. Aren’t the sides of a light socket generally metal? ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-light/620030/7 "2012-04-26T16:55:19Z")
> [@dauerbach](#): > > When I examine the socket I see a metal contact at the bottom, but the sides are plastic. Aren’t the sides of a light socket generally metal? with the refrigerator unplugged. there will likely be a metal strip that might be in a vertical groove in the plastic threads, this may have gotten pushed flat and not make contact with the bulb threads. or there may be a second contact strip off to the side at the base , this may have gotten pushed flat.