Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - fluorescent light problems

I have had this problem for a while now. I have 3 fluorescent light (T-12 single bulb) fixtures in the kitchen that are all tied in series on the same switch. None of the lights works. If I play with the switch (just a regular light switch) I can get them to work, or if I tap on the bulb or fixture they will come on (only the one being tapped on). I have tried new bulbs and even replaced the fixture itself. I also replaced the switch. I have 120v power to the first fixture in the series. Right now I have disconnected the other two fixtures so I only have to mess with the first one to try and make the troubleshooting alittle easier.
Thanks for any input, but I feel like I'm ready to :wall: :) .


Edit: Also the ends of the bulbs do light up when I fip the switch.

Wow, you've already replaced everything, so I have no idea what else to try.

I hope you really don't mean that the lights are "in series" as that would guarantee that they wouldn't work. But if the used to work and they stopped working with no wiring changes, then they cannot really be in series.

I hope that when you "tried new bulbs" that you replaced all six bulbs (or however many you have) at the same time, and that you replaced them with brand new bulbs fresh from the store, and not some bulbs you found in your basement.

Well there just wired up together. They all worked fine before. I replace with new bulbs (only 3 because there only single bulb fixtures :) ). Right now I have eliminated 2 of the fixtures so I'm only working with 1 fixture. I'm thinking the only other thing to do is replace the wiring from the switch to the lights. But that might have to wait till winter because crawling around in a Florida attic in the hottest month of the year is BRUTAL!!!:D ALso what ever it is has to have a common because the problem is the same with all the lights. The lights work fine once they turn on, no flicker or anything. Its just when you first turn the lights on that theres a problem. I have checked the ground the best I know how and I can't seem to see a problem there.

Are you positive that all the lamps are in their sockets securely? If they all run off the same ballast and one is not connected they won't light. You should be able to grasp the tube at it's half way point, try turning it a bit and feeling a very solid resistance on all the lamps. It's easy to have one end of one lamp not in solid.

Just wondering what bulb wattage you are using ?

Some of them will not work with 34 watts or even 25 watts F40T12 bulbs.

Check the ballast label to see what wattage bulb it should be taking.

Did you have good ground connection there? { If you have ground wire [bare wire ] and they are well secured or tied into the luminaire frame }

Merci,Marc