Why no light with 120volts present?

[JeffreyJames514]

Ceiling closet light blew out. Checked bulb. Bulb good. Have 120v leaving light switch. Removed fixture. Have 120v at wires in ceiling when switch is on. When switch is off shows like 2 or 3 volts. Replaced fixture 3 times. No light!! Still have 120volts. If the breaker in the panel is going bad would it still have 120volts at ceiling? My thinking is if there is power than i should have light. Or is turning the switch on enough to draw away from the breaker and lose the voltage?? Please assist. Thanks in advance.

 

[davesparks]

What are you using to measure the voltage and where are you taking the measurement?

Are you measuring the voltage with the bulb fitted or removed?

How did you check that the bulb is working?

 

[JeffreyJames514]

What are you using to measure the voltage and where are you taking the measurement?

Are you measuring the voltage with the bulb fitted or removed?

How did you check that the bulb is working?

Im using a klein multimeter to test voltage. Tried the bulb in another lamp before i used it to make sure it works. And im testing the actual black and white wires coming from the switch.

 

[mainline]

Im using a klein multimeter to test voltage. Tried the bulb in another lamp before i used it to make sure it works. And im testing the actual black and white wires coming from the switch.

You really need to test at the light fitting itself.

 

[JeffreyJames514]

I did. I tested the wires coming out of the ceiling. I removed the fixture and tested those wires. When switch is off i have no volts. When switch is on i have 120volts. When i connect light fixture the same thing happens. I get 120volts when switch is on. But no light. Its so strange. I even tried using just a basic lamp base. 1 brass screw and 1 silver screw. Connected black wire to brass and white wire to silver. I put in a normal working bulb and turned on the switch. No light.