2 way one gang wiring in 60s house

[GerbilsPJs]

Hi Folks,

Was hoping that someone could help me. I have a 2 switches in my living room. One is one way with 2 wires at the bottom together, the other is 2 way with one wire in each of the holes. Since I have moved in the one way switch worked until yesterday and the other did nothing. Now that I have opened them to have a look I was wondering if I could put a 2 way switch on the other one and if they would both then switch on and off the living room light?

Neither of these switches has lots of wires like the diagrams I have found on the net. Dont want to fry myself but would love to be able to use either switch.

Do both of the switches have their wires in the same place?

Hopeful numpty.

 

[EFLImpudence]

You will only be able to do what you want if you can get the three wires from the 'other' switch to the working. switch

 

[GerbilsPJs]

Thanks. I dont know anything about wiring but I had thought that seeing as there were two switches they must be linked. Would you happen to know if I should just put the two wires back in the one hole so that it works again on the new switch and how can I check if the other switch is live and what do I do with it. Can I remove it? Sorry to be si unknowledgeable.

 

[sparkwright]

Pictures would help.

If you can't find a diagram that matches your wiring please be aware there are different ways of wiring switches, including the use of a junction box which may be hidden somewhere.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I had thought that seeing as there were two switches they must be linked.

You would think that but apparently the are not.

Would you happen to know if I should just put the two wires back in the one hole so that it works again on the new switch

That is confusing.
They could not have been in the same hole or it would not have switched off.
You need one wire at each end,

Are you sure there are not more wires in there? It's not likely, I suppose.

and how can I check if the other switch is live and what do I do with it. Can I remove it?.

You would need to test the cable.
It doesn't seem that you could do this.
You could put each wire in a separate connector block and cover with a blank plate.


Is it possible that this two-way switch could have worked some other light?

 

[GerbilsPJs]

Thanks I will try to put a photo on tommorow. Dont want to put off the electric when everyone is in to open the boxes.