4 Way Switch Problem
#1
10-28-15, 05:24 PM
4 Way Switch Problem
I bought a new house and there is a light fixture that is controlled by 3 different switches. Two of the switches turn the light on and off no problem. The 3rd switch will not turn on the light. If one of the other switches has the light on and you attempt to turn on the switch in question, it makes the light go out. Any suggestions?
#2
10-28-15, 06:28 PM
Please post a picture of the problem switch's wires and connections. http://www.doityourself.com/forum/li...rt-images.html Be sure to pull the switch out with wires still connected and give us pictures from a coupel of angeles.
#3
10-28-15, 07:02 PM
Most likely a loose connection at the problem switch.
When the problem switch is flipped so the light goes off then are the other switches unable to turn the light back on regardl
When the problem switch is flipped so the light goes off then are the other switches unable to turn the light back on regardl
#4
10-28-15, 07:41 PM
Group Moderator
If one of the other switches has the light on and you attempt to turn on the switch in question, it makes the light go out.
#5
10-29-15, 08:57 AM
I took that photo last night, I can take more when I get home today if they will help. I understand the switch should turn off the light if the light is on. My thought was if the switch will turn off the light, but wont turn it on, that may help someone in knowing what the issue is.
#6
10-29-15, 09:11 AM
That is one of the 3-way switches not the 4-way switch. One problem is they used back stabs. I would move the two single wires down to the screws associated with each back stab. On the terminal with three wires I would connect those three wires to a pigtail and the pigtail to the screw.
This may not fix your problem but at least we will have good connections. On the other switches move any backstabs to the screws. Please post pictures of the other switches. Be sure when you move the wires you move the wire to the screw associated with the back stab.
This may not fix your problem but at least we will have good connections. On the other switches move any backstabs to the screws. Please post pictures of the other switches. Be sure when you move the wires you move the wire to the screw associated with the back stab.
#12
10-30-15, 09:32 AM
That's not a diagram. There should be a diagram showing how the wires are to be connected. The connections vary by manufacturer so you need to verify the cables are connected correctly. If they are then next you need to change the wires to the screws just to be sure you have good connections.
#14
10-30-15, 10:22 AM
I moved all backstabbed wires to the corresponding screws. No change. I replaced the switch, putting all wires to the correct screws and everything is resolved. Thanks for all the help!
#16
11-02-15, 12:54 PM
If there is no diagram on the back of the 4-way switch, it was in the documentation that came with the switch. But you will find that two of the screws are brass and two of them have a dark finish. Connect the set of travelers going to one of the other switches to the brass screws, and connect the set going to another switch to the dark screws.
The common screw of a 3-way switch has a dark screw.
The common screw of a 3-way switch has a dark screw.
