I have hooked up a 3 way switch and cannot figure out why it is not working properly. Here is the way I hooked it up.

14-2 from panel to 3 Way switch. That same 3 Way switch then 14-3 to other 3 Way switch then 14-2 to light then 14-2 to another light.

The problem is that if the 3 Way switch attached to the power must be on or the other switch does not work. So if I have the first 3 way on the other 3 way can turn lights on and off. If the first switch is off the second switch does nothing!

Please Help!

stanfortyman

You simply have it wired wrong.
As long as you make sure the travelers are correct it will work.

The travelers are the ones connected to the two gold screws on each 3-way switch.
In your case you MUST use the black and red of the 14/3 as your travelers since the white is a neutral.

Here:

will_53115

Thanks stanfortyman

I assume I am correct in grounding to the fourth (green) screw on the 3 Way switches?

stanfortyman

Yes you are.

son

normally we run the power to lite box the black wire goes to the black wire to the first switch the power white wire goes to the lite white wire. the white wire from the first switch goes to the second switch. the red wire connects the two switchs. the black wire from the second switch goes to black wire on the lite. and if you are adding a second lite the wire will connect to the black an white wire of the first lite. Ihope this helps.

stanfortyman

son, I'm sorry man. I have NO idea what you just wrote.

There is no "normally" when wiring a 3-way. Given the choice, I run the feed to the switch box just as in Will's situation. No matter how it is wired it can always be made to work.