drnickriviera
Platinum Member
- Jan 30, 2001
- 2,462
- 270
- 136
If it were me, i'd pull all that out and trace the wires to clean that mess up, but that is probably beyond your tools and skill.
So let's just wire it all back up the same way
Switch one. Buy a 3 way switch.
The new switch will have one black screw and two brass colored screws. (black is the most common color now, could be different though)
On the old switch is a copper colored screw. That wire goes to the black screw. The other two wires go to the brass screws. Try not to reverse them, the black wire should be opposite of the black screw and white by itself at the bottom. Test the power at the outlet to make sure everything is right. the smaller of the two vertical blades is the hot one. Go between that and the larger vertical blade with your voltmeter. and that and the ground to make sure you get the correct 120v
Switch two. Look for a single pole switch (standard on/off light switch) with a side clamp. Lowes usually sells them. A side clamp allows you to push the wires in from the back instead of using the screws. Once you push the wire in the back you tighten the screw and it pulls a metal plate to clamp the wire. Ask someone in the dept if you can't find it. The reason for this type is that it usually allows you to connect 2 wires to each terminal. This way you don't have to make any pigtails or do anything extra. The one wire on the left goes to one of the terminals. The two wires on the right (one in the back and one on the screw) go to the other terminal. I have no idea why there are two wires there, but ain't broke don't fix it.
switch three. standard 3-way switch. black wire on the left goes to the black screw terminal. Red and white on the right to the brass colored ones. same as before, don't swap them. if for some reason the switches start acting crazy by not working or only 1 switch of the 2 works, then swap the red and white wire.
Do these one at a time. I'd start with #3. kill power to all 3, wire up the last switch, power that one up to make sure it works right, then go to the next one. Don't forget to kill the power again. Oh and to remove the wires from the back of the switches, there should be a little square opening below the wires. you'll need to push something small in there to release the spring. I usually use a nail or small screwdriver. push it in as much as you can and try to wiggle the wire back out. sometimes they are easy, sometimes pita.
So let's just wire it all back up the same way
Switch one. Buy a 3 way switch.
The new switch will have one black screw and two brass colored screws. (black is the most common color now, could be different though)
On the old switch is a copper colored screw. That wire goes to the black screw. The other two wires go to the brass screws. Try not to reverse them, the black wire should be opposite of the black screw and white by itself at the bottom. Test the power at the outlet to make sure everything is right. the smaller of the two vertical blades is the hot one. Go between that and the larger vertical blade with your voltmeter. and that and the ground to make sure you get the correct 120v
Switch two. Look for a single pole switch (standard on/off light switch) with a side clamp. Lowes usually sells them. A side clamp allows you to push the wires in from the back instead of using the screws. Once you push the wire in the back you tighten the screw and it pulls a metal plate to clamp the wire. Ask someone in the dept if you can't find it. The reason for this type is that it usually allows you to connect 2 wires to each terminal. This way you don't have to make any pigtails or do anything extra. The one wire on the left goes to one of the terminals. The two wires on the right (one in the back and one on the screw) go to the other terminal. I have no idea why there are two wires there, but ain't broke don't fix it.
switch three. standard 3-way switch. black wire on the left goes to the black screw terminal. Red and white on the right to the brass colored ones. same as before, don't swap them. if for some reason the switches start acting crazy by not working or only 1 switch of the 2 works, then swap the red and white wire.
Do these one at a time. I'd start with #3. kill power to all 3, wire up the last switch, power that one up to make sure it works right, then go to the next one. Don't forget to kill the power again. Oh and to remove the wires from the back of the switches, there should be a little square opening below the wires. you'll need to push something small in there to release the spring. I usually use a nail or small screwdriver. push it in as much as you can and try to wiggle the wire back out. sometimes they are easy, sometimes pita.
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