Doorbell problems

I am replacing both my doorbell button and the actual doorbell. The system was working fine with the old items. However, now two things are happening: I have no power to the button (it doesn't light up as it should and does not cause the doorbell to ring) and when I connect the doorbell to the bell wire, it rings continuously. I am guessing that the transformer is shot, but would like some confirmation of that before I go looking for the transformer, which I am guessing is in the attic above the doorbell.

 

Welcome to the forums.

It's not a transformer problem. If it was.... nothing would happen.

It sounds like you have a short at the button which is an extremely common problem.
How many cables where at the chime and how many wires connect to the chime ?

 

I am not getting power at the button at all. Yesterday, if I touched the two wires together, I would get a little spark. Today...nothing. And the same...nothing...when I connect the button.

 

Answering your questions: There are two pairs of wires at the doorbell. But the second one is not connected to anything. The house must be wired for another door, but we are not using it. Two wires connect at the chime: TRANS and FRONT.

 

If you don't have the chime connected..... you won't get a spark at the button when you touch the wires together.

 

I suspect you have the 2 wires at the chime reversed. Try switching them and see if it helps.

 

Since the chime works on AC..... reversing the connections won't change anything.

 

Referring to your diagram, I think the OP has the wire from the transformer on F and the wire from the button on TRANS. Terminal configurations may vary on different chimes...

 

By not wiring the chime correctly you have now burned up the transformer.
Buy a new transformer.
If I'm reading this correctly, you have two pair of wires at the chime, probably two pair of red & white cables.
1. Connect the button.
2. At the chime use both red wires and connect one to the Trans, one to Front
3. Wire nut the two white together
4. Connect the transformer

With only one button and both cables coming to the chime, you don't need to know which one is coming from the transformer. It will work either way.

If your chime is electronic, musical or westminster chimes, then it would matter which one is coming from the transformer and may include a diode to connect to the button. With an old school two note chime, it doesn't matter.