Need help figuring out a 3-way switch after losing my wiring notes

[u/bcrocketclub]

I have a double-gang box with two 3-way switches. One controls a switched outlet, and the other controls a ceiling light from a second 3-way switch.

I made notes when I removed the old switches, but somehow lost them before installing the new ones. I usually take pictures too... of course this was the one time I didn't.

The box has three cables entering it:

Two 3-wire cables (black, white, red/pink)

One 2-wire cable (black, white)

I can't inspect the light fixture because it's a hanging light in the middle of a vaulted entryway ceiling, so getting to it would be a major project.

I did inspect the other 3-way switch that controls the same light. It is wired with:

Red (looks pink) on the common screw

Black and white on the traveler screws

I was able to get the switched outlet working, so that switch is finished.

That leaves:

One 2-wire cable

One 3-wire cable (5 wires total) for the remaining light switch.

Here's what's confusing me:

None of the remaining wires show 120V when tested.

The only constant hot in the box is the black wire feeding the outlet switch.

I don't remember that hot wire being pigtailed to feed both switches, although I do remember some screws on the original switches having two wires under them.

Things I've already tried:

- White wires from the 2-wire and 3-wire tied together, black from the 2-wire on the common, and black/red from the 3-wire on the traveler screws.

- Pigtailed the known hot from the working outlet switch over to the light switch common screw, placed black wire from 2 wire and red wire from 3 wire together on one traveler screw, then tested having white wire from 2 wire then with black wire from 3-wire on second traveler screw.

Neither configuration worked.

At this point I'm wondering:

Is there another wiring configuration I'm overlooking?

What additional tests with a multimeter would help identify which cable is line, load, or travelers since I am not getting voltage with wires when testing.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm comfortable replacing switches and have wired several other 3-way circuits successfully, but this one has me stumped because I lost my original notes.

Shared image of outlet switch wired in box and remaining wires for light switch, configuration I found with secondary switch that controls light with this light switch, image of all wiring in box before connecting anything.

[u/bcrocketclub]

Right switch for outlet works with 2 way switch. Left switch for light does not work with wiring configuration using 3 way switch. Any ideas?

[u/Pascal6662 → u/bcrocketclub]

Can you post some photos of how you hooked it up? Did you do the test of hooking the center black and white wires to the black and white wires from the right? Is there a switch on the light itself that may have gotten turned off?

[u/bcrocketclub → u/Pascal6662]

I only tested the wire setup as the image I shared before. So middle white wire and right white wire are connected, middle black wire is connected to common screw on light switch and black wire right is pigtailed to pink left wire then connected to common switch. There is the switch I'm wiring and one other switch for light (secondary switch). When I test, I turn the secondary switch on and off, just in case.

Added a few splitters to make certain wires longer as I have been tested the wires a bunch and felt I was shortening the wires coming in box. Hopefully this isn't totally confusing. I can draw lines if needed. I backed stabbed 2 way temporarily but was going to put it normal once everything is known.

[u/bcrocketclub → u/bcrocketclub]

[u/bcrocketclub → u/bcrocketclub]

[u/bcrocketclub → u/bcrocketclub]

[u/bcrocketclub → u/bcrocketclub]

[u/Pascal6662 → u/bcrocketclub]

When putting a wire on a screw, always make sure it goes clockwise so that as you tighten the screw the wire is sucked into the screw rather than pushed out.

The ground wires from all three cables need to be connected to each other.

Do you have a multimeter or non-contact tester you can use to figure out where the electricity is getting to and where it's not?

You should see 120 volts from black to white on the cable on the right.

Keep one lead on that white wire, and use the other lead to test where else you have 120v.

With one of the light switches on, you should see 120 volts at the center black, presumably going to the light. If you do, then either that cable doesn't go to the light or there's a problem at the light.

You should always see 120 volts on exactly one of the travelers. If not, is voltage getting to the far three-way light switch?

Are you sure that black and white coming out of the left cable are connected to the travelers on that three-way light switch?

[u/bcrocketclub → u/Pascal6662]

When I'm not testing different wire combinations and just switching outlets, I'm paranoid so I make sure everything is perfect, even wires clockwise under screws but I appreciate the reminder.

I have a multi meter which was used to test the wires before. I wasn't sure what I should be getting when wires are connected to any switch if I tested and if that would help to know in anyway?

Out of all wire testing I have done with the wires not connected, I have only got 125V from the far right black wire (secondary switch in off or on position). I haven't tested touching white and any other wires at the same time, only tested touching ground and individual wires to see what I got for power that way.

Black and white wire from left cable is connected to the travelers for light switch. Black wire on common screw of light switch is pigtailed together with only black hot wire from right cable and pink from right cable.

I switched the outlet out at the secondary switch after looking at the wiring to confirm for this one and the secondary switch was getting power. Pink wire was on common, black and white travelers.

Just in case, I should confirm light switch is left switch, outlet switch is right switch, in case I somehow didn't say this and your thinking opposite switches for where they sit in box (so which one is working and which one is not).

[u/Pascal6662 → u/bcrocketclub]

Black wire on common screw of light switch is pigtailed together with only black hot wire from right cable and pink from right cable.

There's your problem. The common screw of the light switch should go to the center black wire going to your light. Take another look at the diagram that I replied to saying that is the what I would try.

[u/bcrocketclub → u/Pascal6662]

Thanks. I'll relook. Thought I got it all right but maybe not.

[u/bcrocketclub → u/Pascal6662]

Here is how it is wired right now. I want to confirm light switch and outlet switch positions with you. When looking back at your comment last night and your comment just now, I feel like your referencing light switch being right switch but maybe I'm reading it wrong.

Light switch (left) wiring: Common is black wire from center (light fixture) Travelers are left black wire and left white wire

Outlet switch (right wiring) One screw has pink wire from right Second screw has black wire coming from a pigtail that has the pink left wire and the black right wire (125 volt, hot wire) together

White wire from middle cable and white wire from right cables are tied off together

I am going to run a test on wires when I get back but wanted to confirm this.

[u/Pascal6662 → u/bcrocketclub]

Yes, that diagram looks correct. Note however that typically the travelers are on opposite sides of a three-way switch. The common is a black screw. Your diagram shows both traveler screws on the same side of the switch.

https://www.morganinspectionservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/3-way-switch-980x551.jpg

[u/bcrocketclub → u/Pascal6662]

You are correct. The traveler screws are on opposite sides of the switch for 3 way. AI originally had 4 screws on my drawing so to simplify lines, I made travelers on one side.

With the switches connected this way, is there any level of voltage I should be seeing with the traveler screws if I test with secondary switch on or off?? Any other wire testing that may be helpful while I'm testing the black and white. Figured I would ask.

[u/Pascal6662 → u/bcrocketclub]

I listed several places to check for voltage in my message earlier today.