Reinhart Electric will determine if the problem is the ballast, lamps or with case of very old fixtures, the "starters" by replacing the starter and / or lamps with new replacements. There is one starter per lamp. The starter is a 3/4 inch diameter x 1-1/4 inch or so "can" that is twisted into a separate socket usually located near the end of the fixture or behind a lamp. Reinhart Electric will determine if starters are functional by mere inspection. Reinhart Electric will swap with a known "good" starter to check. The lamps are usually bad when they have turned black at one or both ends, If this does not correct the problem go to Step 2.

2. Remove the lamps and place them in a safe location.

3. Turn metal tabsTurn the light off at the switch, as well as at the circuit breaker. (If you are not sure which breaker operates the light, shut off the whole house breaker to be safe.) Turn the metal tabs (see photo right) near the center of the fixture perpendicular to it length. It will fall away from the fixture. Pull it toward you and store it in a convenient place. Do the same with the other side.

4. Disconnect wiresIt is recommended that you check the both the hot and neutral feed wires for voltage with respect to ground before you start cutting wires. The voltage can be checked with a simple voltmeter or voltage sensor. Locate the ballast and follow the wires until you find the wire nuts connecting like colored wires together. If there are no wire nuts you will have to cut the wires about 12 inches from the center of the fixture on each side. Complete this until all wires are cut or wire nut taken off.

5. Remove ballastUnscrew the nut holding the ballast to the fixture while holding it in place with your other hand. This is best done with a nut driver or socket wrench. Remove the ballast by lowering the side held by the nut, and sliding it in that direction.

6. Purchase new ballastTake the ballast with you to your local home center or hardware store and purchase a like replacement. Note the wattage, length, type and number of bulbs in your fixture. Note also there may be two ballasts in a four bulb fixture, each running two of the bulbs.

7. Install the replacement ballast by reversing the instructions in step 5. Be sure the red and blue wire face the end with red and blue wires, and the black and white wires face the other end.

8. Cut wiresCut the wires so they overlap the fixture wires by about 6 inches.

9. Strip about 1/2" of insulations of the ends of all 8 of the wires.

10.Wire nut the blue wire to the blue wire, the red to the red, the white to the white, and the black to the black.

11.ReassemblyReverse step 3. Make sure the tabs are in the holes at the end of the fixture.

12.Replace the new lamps.

13.Turn on the light.