Help troubleshooting 3 way switch
#1
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Help troubleshooting 3 way switch
I'm totally stumped on figuring out this 3 way switch. I've found a ton of diagrams, but nothing quite looks like my situation. Thought this would be somewhat simple, but no luck. The wires are hot at the fixture but no light. Any help would be awesome.
#2
Welcome to the forums.
Yes.... confusing. Looks like a three way switch loop.
Does the three wire cable at switch one go to the light ?
Does the three wire cable go from switch one to switch two ?
Yes.... confusing. Looks like a three way switch loop.
Does the three wire cable at switch one go to the light ?
Does the three wire cable go from switch one to switch two ?
#5
If your diagram is drawn correctly it shows a working circuit.
The only thing you didn't show is what color wire is on the dark colored screw on each switch.
The only thing you didn't show is what color wire is on the dark colored screw on each switch.
Last edited by PJmax; 09-30-15 at 03:54 PM. Reason: removed pic
#7
Yes... you should switch the red and white on switch 2.
Do you have a meter ? We need to walk thru the circuit.
Cable 4 at switch 1 is cable 6 at switch 2.
Cable 3 at the light is the same as cable 5 at switch 1.
Cable 1 and cable 2..... one is a two wire feed in and the other is a two wire feed out.
With a meter check from white at switch 2 to ground.
Do you have a meter ? We need to walk thru the circuit.
Cable 4 at switch 1 is cable 6 at switch 2.
Cable 3 at the light is the same as cable 5 at switch 1.
Cable 1 and cable 2..... one is a two wire feed in and the other is a two wire feed out.
With a meter check from white at switch 2 to ground.
#8
Edit: PJ and I posted at the same time. For now follow his instructions.
How did you determine that? If you used a non contact tester then your result is meaningless. You need to label all the wires and how they are connected then disconnect them for testing. On each of the 2-conductor cables measure from black to white using a multimeter, preferably analog. On the 3-conductor cable measure from red to white and black to white.
More measurements and questions but do this first then we will move on.
The wires are hot at the fixture but no light.
More measurements and questions but do this first then we will move on.
#12
What's the problem with the digitals?
#14
When you refer to connections on the switch use the term common for the odd colored screw and traveler for the two similar colored screw. Position of common on switch can vary so saying position isn't helpful in most cases.
Good, because you could have blown your new meter. PJ wanted a voltage reading with the wire disconnected and breaker on.
White @ switch 2 (which is now on top) is showing 0 Ohms when held to ground
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On each of the 2-conductor cables measure from black to white using a multimeter, preferably analog. On the 3-conductor cable measure from red to white and black to white.
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Correct, there are two 3-conductor cables at switch 1. The red on lower left was wire-nutted from the get-go. The light hasn't worked since we purchased the home a few months ago.
#22
We are working with a switch loop. All voltage measurement are made to ground. There is no neutral at either switch.
Yes... there are 2) three conductor cables at switch 1. It would make sense that the red wire was capped at both ends. That's why I'm assuming that is the cable between switch 1 and the light.
So you put the wire on the common at switch 2. Good. I mentioned that previously.
That would mean with switch 2 in one position.... red would be hot to ground and in the other position... black would be hot to ground.
Now go to switch 1. Same thing. The colors should work the same way at switch 1 as 2.
When the red wire shows hot to ground at switch 2..... it should be the same at switch 1.
When the black wire shows hot to ground at switch 2..... it should be the same at switch 1.
(we're just checking the two travelers...... not the common wire.
Yes... there are 2) three conductor cables at switch 1. It would make sense that the red wire was capped at both ends. That's why I'm assuming that is the cable between switch 1 and the light.
So you put the wire on the common at switch 2. Good. I mentioned that previously.
That would mean with switch 2 in one position.... red would be hot to ground and in the other position... black would be hot to ground.
Now go to switch 1. Same thing. The colors should work the same way at switch 1 as 2.
When the red wire shows hot to ground at switch 2..... it should be the same at switch 1.
When the black wire shows hot to ground at switch 2..... it should be the same at switch 1.
(we're just checking the two travelers...... not the common wire.
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That would mean with switch 2 in one position.... red would be hot to ground and in the other position... black would be hot to ground.
Now go to switch 1. Same thing. The colors should work the same way at switch 1 as 2.
When the red wire shows hot to ground at switch 2..... it should be the same at switch 1.
When the black wire shows hot to ground at switch 2..... it should be the same at switch 1.
When the red wire shows hot to ground at switch 2..... it should be the same at switch 1.
When the black wire shows hot to ground at switch 2..... it should be the same at switch 1.
#24
At switch location 1...... you have a white wire splice. See if you have 120v from that white wire to ground.
If yes..... then you have confirmed my wiring.
If no..... then the switch 2 three wire cable does not go directly to switch 1.
If yes..... then you have confirmed my wiring.
If no..... then the switch 2 three wire cable does not go directly to switch 1.
#26
Ok.... so then the diagram is correct. The travelers at switch 2 should match the travelers at switch 1.
While you're checking..... check from the white wire connection to the black wire connection at the light. Make sure there is 120v. We're looking at cable 1 and 2.
While you're checking..... check from the white wire connection to the black wire connection at the light. Make sure there is 120v. We're looking at cable 1 and 2.