3 way switch question

Wittsmall · 10-05-2008, 04:47 PM

I replaced the switches in our new house and now the three way switches do not work properly in the room. Only one switch (A) turns the light on/off but only when the other switch (B) is flipped on. If I flip B off, then A does not work at all. How do I figure this out? Any help is appreciated.

FYI, I have two black wires and a white wire coming out of each box. Right now I the white wire hooked up to the off-color screw in each box.

dSilanskas · 10-05-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wittsmall

I replaced the switches in our new house and now the three way switches do not work properly in the room. Only one switch (A) turns the light on/off but only when the other switch (B) is flipped on. If I flip B off, then A does not work at all. How do I figure this out? Any help is appreciated.

FYI, I have two black wires and a white wire coming out of each box. Right now I the white wire hooked up to the off-color screw in each box.

Oh boy sounds like you might have a junction box somewhere haha and You should have a black, white, and red in each box. So try hooking the black wire up to the common screw or the black screw.

220/221 · 10-05-2008, 05:53 PM

Just keep guessing

eventually you'll get it right.

There are many ways to install 3 way wiring. I am guessing that one of the blacks is common.

Without a tester, it's a guessing game.

Is one of the black wires in a different cable than the others? If so, it will likeley be the common.

More discription please. look in the box and see which wires go to which cables. (a cable consists of multiple wires)