Single cable to both light fixture and switch boxes

[FL_Ric]

Hello all,

I have an odd problem here and I am at a loss.

I'm replacing a light fixture and dimmer switch on our dining room circuit. The problem I'm having is that both boxes only have one cable in them. (one black, white and ground).
When I turn the breaker back on and use my tester, neither of those cables has power coming into it. I've double checked my tester and that I'm switching the correct breaker.
There are some outlets on this circuit, and when the breaker is on, there is power to them.
The previous light and dimmer worked with no issues. The light fixture was wired white/white black/black, and the old dimmer just had 2 black wires on it which were wired one to black, and one to white.

I can't figure out what is going on here, but I do have a bad feeling that this is way wrong. Thankyou in advance for any ideas and help!

Rick.

 

[westward10]

Which wire isn't live, at the switch?

 

[FL_Ric]

Update/edit: There is only one outlet on this circuit, and it is wired like an end of run, only one cable entering it's box as well.
I'm getting the feeling there is a junction box somewhere, I've checked every outlet and light switch in the house to see if they may be on this circuit with no luck.

 

[FL_Ric]

Which wire isn't live, at the switch?

Neither is live, when I use my tester (2 leads with light) across the black and white wires. Should I try black to ground?

 

[westward10]

Is this just at the switch and not the light.

 

[FL_Ric]

Is this just at the switch and not the ligh

Is this just at the switch and not the light.

It is the same at both switch and light, if I put my tester leads one on black and one on white, no power. But the outlet on this circuit has power, but only one cable entering it as well.

 

[westward10]

You need to test each wire to ground at the switch not between the wires.

 

[FL_Ric]

You need to test each wire to ground at the switch not between the wires.

Ok, I've got no power from either of the single wires to ground. This is in the switch box, and also in the light box.

I've also found another outlet behind a bookcase that is on this circuit. It is an old 2-prong with no ground. It also has only one cable going to it.

 

[westward10]

But the light was working before you dismantled it all.

 

[FL_Ric]

But the light was working before you dismantled it all.

Yes, we've used it many years and I had it on when I turned the breaker off to make sure I had the right circuit.
This just makes no sense to me at all.