knob and tube 3-way crazy

[sledgehammer]

Old house. knob and tube wiring. 3-way push button switches-working. remodel house with new style rectangular swithes - NOT WORKING.[xx(] trace and label every wire both boxes. rewire switches - STILL NOT WORKING. any one with problem and fixed it?

sledgeready

[HayZee518]

One wire is always hot. two wires are travelers. other wire is load.
box one - fiber covered wires - all same color. Use a neon type tester to find the hot. go about it this way. take the tester and hold one bare end, touch the other prod to each wire, one at a time. don't let yourself get grounded or you'll feel a shock. The hot wire will make the neon tube glow slightly on one side. ok you found the hot.
this goes on one odd colored screw on the switch. the other 2 go to the other brass colored screws on the switch. Now go to switchbox no 2.
Same situation - three wires all same color. touch the tester same as before to each of the three wires. One will glow. mark this one. go to the other switch box 1 and flip the lever. back to box 2 and check with the tester. one should glow. You have now identified the travelers. put these two on the brass screws, the other one will be the load and goes on the odd colored screw.

[Spark Chaser]

If you have installed mercury 3 way switches - They have an "up" printed on them - embossed in the plastic - will not work upside down - hope this helps.