Replaced two old (1964) 3-way switches that never worked right with two new 3-way lighted rocker switches. The light is a outdoor spot light.

Downstairs switch has a pair of black and white wires wired together in a cap. Then 1 white and 1 red travelers (I assume) to the brass screws and 1 black wire to the black screw.

Upstairs has only 1 red, 1white and 1black wires coming into the box. I set them up the same way as downstairs 1white 1 red for travelers to the brass screws and the black wire to the black screw.

Now here is the problem.

Top switch on = Control of on and off at the downstairs switch.

Top switch off = No control of downstairs switch

Bottom switch on = Control of on and off at the upstairs switch.

Bottom switch off = No control of upstairs switch.

Thanks for any help, Bob

You're close... try swapping the white and black wires on each switch...
Work on only one switch at a time and then test...

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3-way switches that never worked right

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Probably the error of the person who installed the old switches.

Black of 2-wire cable bringing power to the downstairs switch should be connected to common of switch. White of 2-wire cable bringing power to downstairs switch should be connected to white of 2-wire cable going to light. Check to insure that those connections are correct.

If you get those connections correct, after that you can't go wrong..

Hk... nice!