two gang light switch problem

[rosie5golf]

Hi,
My first time on this forum and I wonder if anyone can help
I have a two gang light switch where one side operates as a two way for the upstairs landing and the other side operates the hall light. I have somehow got my wires crossed (sorry about the pun). The switch in the hall which operates the upstairs landing works fine but I can't get the hall working.
This is an old house with red and black cable so I am not sure what is live and what is not. I have tested all the cable at the socket end and there seems to live but, even replacing the bulb, I still can't get it to work. Has anyone got any ideas as to how the wiring should be at the switch ?

 

[AndyPRK]

Take a pic of the back of the switch and we should be able to help.

Maybe the link wire is missing

 

[rosie5golf]

Thanks will do.

 

[rosie5golf]

Hopefully I have managed to upload a picture of the switch.
The side nearest the front is the two way that is working okay at the top and bottom of the stairs. It's the farthest switch which is purely for the hall that is not working. All help would be appreciated. View media item 84480

 

[AndyPRK]

I assume it was ok before you changed the switch?

is the screw, screwing into wire insulation ? Check this. Maybe that red link wire at the front.

You could try putting both the wires into the same terminal to eliminate the switch being faulty. The light would should always be on then.

 

[rosie5golf]

Thanks Andy.
I have checked to see if the screw goes through the insulation and it doesn't.
Do you mean put all the red wires into one connection?
This all worked okay and I am now wondering if the switch is faulty.

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks Andy. I have checked to see if the screw goes through the insulation and it doesn't. Do you mean put all the red wires into one connection?

I don't think so. I presume he meant (with the power switched off, of course!) to remove the black wire which currently goes to the bottom terminal of the hall switch and, instead, put it together with the existing red wire (that little 'link' wire) in the top terminal of the hall switch. When you restore the power, the hall light should then be permanently on. If it's not (and you're sure you don't have a dead bulb/lamp!!), then that would mean that the switch is dead.

Kind Regards, John

 

[AndyPRK]

as you say the front switch is working fine, leave these wires alone.

I mean join the short red wire and the rear black wire together

 

[AndyPRK]

If you join the rear red and black wires and the light is on, then you know the problem it at the switch.

The terminal with the 2 red wires still looks suspect to me

 

[rosie5golf]

Thanks for the advice, I will try it tomorrow and let you know how I get on. I am at my wits end with this.
I know the bulb is okay so it's down to the switch.

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks for the advice, I will try it tomorrow and let you know how I get on. I am at my wits end with this. I know the bulb is okay so it's down to the switch.

It could well be the switch - and that test will reveal that if it is the case. However, as Andy says, check that short red 'link wire' and make sure that where it goes into the terminal with the two reds the screw is properly screwed onto the bare copper, not the red insulation.

Kind Regards, John

 

[rosie5golf]

Will do, cheers.

 

[sparkwright]

Will do, cheers.

It appears you don't have any earth wires in that wiring.

The metal switch plate needs earthing, very dangerous otherwise.

If there aren't any earth wires within the switch box (that haven't shown up in the photo) then you will have to chuck that switch away and fit a plastic one.

 

[JBR]

And use nylon screws to attach the switch to the (presumably metal) back box.

 

[rosie5golf]

I have checked the link wire and all was well with that. I then placed the black wire with the red as John suggested and it still didn't work so, I am assuming it is the switch.
I also noticed it wasn't earthed so will be remedying that asap.
I suppose for the cost of a switch it might be worth it to sort once and for all.
I have tried to get a local sparky but the job is too small. Nice to be able to be choosy in this day and age lol.