I'm trying to add a light switch to the garage because the only switch is in the laundry room. So the new switch will be on the back side of the laundry room wall. Ran some 14-3 to the new box and changed the old single pole switch to a 3 way and a 3 way in the new box. Hear comes the problem. Hooking it all up. They apparently ran one 14-3 to the garage light and then on to the garage door opener outlet. So how do I hook this up with new 3 way switches.

Power comes into the original switch box

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

why the 3 way switch? are you trying to have 2 swtiches control the same light, 2 lights? not sure what your trying to do here.

3 ways blow my mind. Tried several times and can't get it right. The "traveler wire" is a mystery to my small gourd. I'd call a qualified electrician.

also need to add to it to keep the garage door working all the time

that would be the diagram he needs I think.

black is always hot, white is neutral and copper ground.

check your wires with a voltmeter before doing any work even if the breaker is off.

The 3 way switch is so I have 2 switches control the same light. Didn't want a dead switch in laundry room or a blank or have to do sheetrock work to take it out.

That diagram is what I thought I would be doing until I opened up the original switch box. This is where I discovered the wire that goes to the outlet next to the garage light. I pulled to garage light down and it has a red (with black tape on it), black and white wires attached to the fixture. The outlet is constantly hot so not sure how this plays into the wiring.

red with black tape is a hot, you should have a black (hot) and white on the plug supplying power, the red is a tap to the switch or opener (its a power supply off the plug).

now that I have a better picture of what your doing all you have to do is get about 2' of wire and another 2' of single black wire.

use the diagram above substituting the extra black wire for the red one.
your switches are back to back so all you need is to extend the new switch off the old one. just make sure you color code the screws with the new switch so all wires are hooked to the same color (silver/brass) or your switches won't work right.

oh and the original switch will be the power supply (right side of diagram) and the new one will go to the light (left side)

Thank you everybody for your wisdom and instruction. Mission accomplished. Thanks for taking the time to help a brother out!

The best advice offered in this thread for do it yourself guys.


"check your wires with a voltmeter before doing any work even if the breaker is off."


Thanks, Hop