I have programmed the GE HEAVY DUTY TIMER MODEL 15117 timer to come on at 7 pm and it does not turn on the outdoor lights. the dots between the hour and minute are flashing. What am I doing wrong. It is brand new.

There are 6 programming buttons on face of 15117 timer.
Download pdf manual

Review of steps:
The AA battery is installed with correct polarity
Timer blinked 12:00
Set clock while holding down clock button

Press PROG to display EVENT1-on (there is a tiny 'on' that shows on display)
>day button selects day, weekday, weekend
>> hour minute buttons to set ON time for EVENT1

>Press PROG so display shows EVENT1-off (ther is a tiny off that shows on display)
>repeat steps above to set OFF time for EVENT1

>Press PROG until EVENT1-on shows in display
>repeat steps to set on-off times for EVENT2

> when finished programming, press CLOCK

> Last step, set mode
MODE is on-off override
MODE is also Automatic or Random

Solution ideas:
Press MODE until Automatic displays)
-Press MODE key to see if manual override works
-Look at digital face (or take photo of it) and compare with Figs shown in manual to see if there is a match

-Check breaker. Check light bulb. Remove timer and see if load works without it. Check that light switch is turned on if plug is controlled by light switch.

-Review programs: Push PROG key to review programs
-Other timers ignore conflicting schedules ... for example EVENT1 says ON at 7 and OFF at 8, but EVENT2 says opposite, or overlaps, then timer ignores programming

-Reset timer and repeat programming: Press CLOCK, MODE PROG to reset timer
-Make a chart of your EVENT1 on-off times, and EVENT2 on-off times, EVENT3-7 on-off times before programming to make sure there are no conflicts.