[old dad]

Hi, I am trying to fix the wiring in an outlet in the master bedroom of the house we just bought. Currently there is a 3 gang swtich at the entrance to the bedroom. We were told two of the 3 switches controlled the fan & light for a ceiling fan lamp that was removed by the previous owner. We were led to believe that the 3rd toggle/switch controlled 2 wall sconce lights, which didn't work when we bought the house. We found a broken (black)wire in an outlet on the far side of the bedroom. When I tied the broken black wire back down (with the one still attached to the outlet), the wall scounces came on. However, they would not turn off? The 3rd switch didn't seem to have any effect on the sconces (off or on) The wall outlet in question actually has 6 wires in the outlet box(2 black, 2 white, 1 red, and 1 copper ground). I believe it is some type of switched outlet, with the second black wire carrying the 'hot' to the sconces, and the red wire being used as a switch some how. There is paint all over the outlet so I can't tell for sure but I think the tab may have been broken off between the outlets separating them. Does this make sense? The house is only 7 years old so I am pretty sure the wiring is from when the house/housing tract was built. How do I fix this?

[Stratmando]

The red wire may be for the switched outlet, and could be used for the sconches instead or inaddition too. Hook the black that went to the sconches to the red and see if it switches on and off.
If you find you have power to both sides of the switch wheather on or off, a tab may not have been removed.