FAQ - Troubleshooting

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• The timer appears to have slowed down and quit, could it be defective?

  There may be a problem with the timer motor or gear train.  The entire power pack would need to be replaced.

• The transformer had a slight humming sound when I first got it. Now the humming sound is much louder. Is the unit about to fail?

  The hum is not an indication of impending transformer failure.  A transformer core is made up of thin steel laminations stuck together.  If they are not tight or have loosened up over time, they may vibrate, as the magnetic field switches direction 60 times per second with the AC current.

• We just installed two sets of Malibu low voltage landscape lighting floodlights. They come on with the timer but after an hour or so, they go off for 40 minutes or so, then come back on and continue this pattern.

  There could be a minor short at the end of the cable, i.e., one conductor strand touching the other.  However, since it is happening on both systems, it is unlikely that it happened twice.  A quick test would be to unhook one light on each power pack (or take the bulb out).  If the power pack still cycles, then it could be a short.

• One or more of my lights keep going out and I find that I have to repeatedly take off the covers and jiggle the bulbs to get them to come back on. Do you have any suggestions?

  It's possible that the bulb is not tight in the bulb socket. With the transformer unplugged, the brass contacts in the bulb socket can be squeezed together or pushed to one side with a flat blade screwdriver. That should put more compression on the bulb and get better contact. Just be sure to have the power off so not to get a short circuit.   

• Our driveway low voltage lights won't come on. The Malibu transformer is rotating as usual, and it appears to be working fine. The transformer is 10 years old. I don't know how to start tracking down the problem. Any suggestions?

  If the timer dial is rotating, then the power pack is getting 120V power from the house.  Check to insure that the GFCI outlet is not tripped and that the power pack supply cord is plugged in. Try manually turning the post next to the timer dial. The power pack should come on - you will hear it hum and the landscape lights should come on.  If you do not hear a hum and the lights do not come on, either the timer or the transformer in the power pack have failed.  Neither item can be repaired. The entire power pack would need to be replaced. If you hear a hum and the lights do not come on, then there may be a problem with the low voltage cable running to the lights.  Make sure that the cable is still attached to the power pack and the pressure plate screws are tight.  If the cable is attached at the power pack, then the cable may be severed at a point away from the power pack connection. 

• I have several Malibu lights placed along the walkways of my home, several of them do not work anymore. What should I check for before looking into buying new lights?

   We recommend the following steps:

  1) Check to see if the bulb needs to be replaced.

  2) Ensure the bulb is making a good contact with the socket.  Wiggle it to see if it lights.

  3) Check to see if the Fast Lock II connector is still attached tightly to the low voltage cable.

  4) Examine the wires to make sure they have not been cut.

• All of the lights are not on.

  Check the following:
  

  • Power pack is plugged in
  • Circuit breaker is not tripped
  • GFCI outlet is not tripped
  • Check that both conductors are attached to the power pack
  • On a timer power pack, the time of day and on timer are set correctly
  • On a photo eye power pack, cover the eye with black electricians tape
  • Check for a break in the cable

• Just one light is not on?

  • Check the bulb. Replace with a working bulb to see if it was burned out.
  • Check the cable connector to ensure it is tight.

• Lights are dim or yellow?

  • Ensure the cable is attached to the power pack and the connection is tight.
  • Remove some of the lights. If the others become brighter, the power pack may be overloaded.

• Lights at the end of a run are dim?

  The problem may be voltage drop. Remove some lights, shorten the cable run, use a larger gauge cable, or reduce the bulb wattages.  Check the cut end of the cable. A wire strand from one conductor touching the other conductor will drastically reduce the installation’s performance.