Ask Me Help Desk - Light switch ineffective

Light switch ineffective

My son replaced the light switch in a bedroom in order to match the color to the new color scheme (he also changed out all the electrical outlets). The problem is that the new switch, the old switch, and another old switch no longer control the ceiling light/fan. The light (and fan) is on and can be turned off by the pull chain but the switch does nothing. I tested the switches with a continuity tester and got continuity when on and none when in the off position. Also successfully checked the wires for continuity.

Any suggestions what could cause this problem or what else I could try to resolve the problem? It's my ex-wife's house but I still don't want to burn it down. Lol

Thanks!

The fan/light is on a 3 or 4 way switch? They are tricky. Post back just what cables you have at each switch, 2 wire power feed, 3 wire connecting cable, and 2 wirecable to the light. To work, every wire needs to be on the right terminal, common and NOC and NCC.

How many switches are there in one bedroom for one fan/light?

Quote:

Originally Posted by timtails3

The problem is that the new switch, the old switch, and another old switch no longer control the ceiling light/fan.

Sounds like when the wiring got connected to the switch(es), the wire that should be on the Load side, got spliced or connected to the Line side(feed) of the switch.

I assume that the power was off when using the continuity tester. And the best, and only method, of using a continuity tester is that all the wires and switches were disconnected and splices taken apart, otherwise, false readings will be found.

As Labman asked, we really need to know, or see, more detail to help better.

Still waiting to get back from my son to answer the clarification questions you've asked. I'll reply as soon as I have an answer. Thanks!

OK. There are 5 wires coming into the box--a black and a white on the left side, and a black, a red, and a white on the right side. The previous owner of this house put the light/ceiling fans in. He spliced together the two white wires and taped them off. He also spliced the left black and the right red wires, leaving the right black wire and a left red wire. This all worked fine until they decided to put a switch in that was white instead of the yellow one that was there. Also, the two old switches have only 2 screws to attach wires; the new switch has 3. However, NONE of the switches work anymore.

I have also tried changing which screw I attached the 2 wires to in each case but it had no effect. The continuity tester still shows continuity when the 3 switches are in the 'on' position and not in the 'off' position. (Yes, the electricity is off when using the c tester.)

Thanks!

Ok here is what I see:

Five wires at one switch, two blacks, two whites, one red:

Quote:

Originally Posted by timtails3

ok. There are 5 wires coming into the box--a black and a white on the left side, and a black, a red, and a white on the right side.

Now another red wire pops up:

Quote:

Originally Posted by timtails3

He spliced together the two white wires and taped them off. He also spliced the left black and the right red wires, leaving the right black wire and a left red wire.

Now how many switches are there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by timtails3

Also, the two old switches have only 2 screws to attach wires; the new switch has 3.

I am sorry but I am having a real hard time following you. Troubleshooting like this in written format,I hope you can understand is very difficult if the description is not clear.

Wires on the left or right just doesn't mean much. If you can use a voltage tester to at least identify the 120 volt feed, would be helpful

Now if you can draw a sketch or show some pictures along with a description we can probably help much better.