I have an Ikea floor lamp GO217 Dipod. Recently the large (top) bulb (150 watt 120V type A bulb) just flickered until it blew out. We bought two new bulbs and tried each on of them. But when we installed them, each one just flickered. (Our daughter took them and installed them in her lamp and they worked fine.) We have taken the base apart and it seems tight. Also, the floor on/off box seems secure. The small bulb is working just fine.

Kaye Peters, February 2009

I've had this problem with screw-in lamps. The usual fault I see is a poor connection on the centre (center) terminal - the sprung contact in the holder fails to touch the pip at the bottom of the bulb.

UNPLUG the lamp
Take out the bulb
Make a small hook or use a tiny screwdriver and pull up on the central connector to help it make better contact with the bulb. Doesn't need much - just a mill or two.

Peccavi, February 2009