Interval Trouble

programming flash
1

Ok, I’m having a little trouble with the setInterval function. What I have right now is code that just turns a movie clip from the first frame to the second, and back to the first like turning a light on and off. Here’s the code:


//initiate variables

init();

//initate function
function init():Void{
    //initiate light array
    _root.lights = new Array();
    lights[1] = 0;
    lights[2] = 0;
    lights[3] = 0;
    lights[4] = 0;
    lights[5] = 0;
    ///number for random ratio
    _root.rnd = 20
    //setup time ratio
    _root.li = 1000
    
}

//randomly turn on lights _root event
_root.onEnterFrame = function(){
    //turn on lights
    _root.turnon(lt1);
    
    //lt1.turnon();
    //lt2.turnon();
    //lt3.turnon();
    //lt4.turnon();
    //lt5.turnon();
}


//turn on function
_root.turnon = function(Light){
    //get array variable from light variable
    if (Light==lt1){
        ArN=1
    }
    if (Light==lt2){
        ArN=2
    }
    if (Light==lt3){
        ArN=3
    }
    if (Light==lt4){
        ArN=4
    }
    if (Light==lt5){
        ArN=5
    }
    //check if light is off
    if (lights[ArN] == 0){
        Light.rnd = Math.ceil(Math.random() * _root.rnd);
        trace(Light.rnd);
    }
    //check if light should turn on
        if (Light.rnd == 1){
            lights[ArN]=1;
            Light.gotoAndStop(2);
            //set timer so light will go off
            Light = setInterval(function(){Light.gotoAndStop(1);lights[ArN]=0;//timer turn off
                                        clearInterval(Light);}, _root.li );
        }
}

Now my main problem is in this part:


    //check if light should turn on
        if (Light.rnd == 1){
            lights[ArN]=1;
            Light.gotoAndStop(2);
            //set timer so light will go off
            Light = setInterval(function(){Light.gotoAndStop(1);lights[ArN]=0;//timer turn off
                                        clearInterval(Light);}, _root.li );
        }

What I want to happen is to have the light turn on when a random value turns one, set an interval, and when the time runs out turn off the light, and do it all over again. Now the first time the random value turns 1, the light turns on and never goes off. Now I’ve diagnosed the problem and the reason is because I named the interval “Light”, the same name as the movie clip. However, if i give the interval any other name, the light turns and off fine the first time, but the second time, the light just flickers as if the setInterval function isn’t even working. What am I doing wrong?