3 way light switch question

[TRichter54]

I have a 1982 310, recently the main coach light stopped working, the switch is just inside the door (hi/off/low) to the right. I pulled the switch but none of the three wires were connected (might have come out when I pulled switch). There are 2 red wires and 1 purple wire, there are 6 connectors on the switch and I do not know how to connect the wires. Can someone help me?

Lets say the switch looks like this:

1 2

3 4

5 6

Radio and other lights work, not sure where the fuse is either.

Thank You in advance!

[TG Twinkie]

The switch you describe Is a double pole double throw switch.
I would connect the purple wire to terminal 4 and one red wire to terminal 2. The other red wire to terminal 6.
If the high and low are backwards switch the red wires on 2 and 6.

[TRichter54]

Thank You will try that today, and will.report the results. Also getting a volt meter.

[TRichter54]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

The switch you describe Is a double pole double throw switch.
I would connect the purple wire to terminal 4 and one red wire to terminal 2. The other red wire to terminal 6.
If the high and low are backwards switch the red wires on 2 and 6.

I tried 2/4/6 with no luck. I went out and bought a voltage meter I did not get anything off of the wires. Any Ideas? I am afraid I have to pay someone

[TG Twinkie]

I am thinking the purple wire is the power to the switch. If you don't have 12 volts DC it won't work.
Check the fuse panel. Look for a purple wire. If you have glass fuses make sure they are tight in the holder and the fuse is good.

[TG Twinkie]

If you are using the DC voltage scale on the meter. Read between the purple wire and the skin. Not wire to wire.

[NorCal Matt]

I would find he fuse before you do too much else. The simplest solution is usually the best to start with, especially if you aren't seeing any voltage at the switch.

[TRichter54]

I found the fuse box, the fuse has popped labelled "pur". As soon as family leaves for easter I can replace the fuse and fix the purple wire where the rubber coating has bubbled back an inch or so. Hopefully problem solved.

[TG Twinkie]

The bubbling of the insulation indicates there was heat involved. Probably from the fuse being loose in the holder or bad connection of the wire. Make sure all of the connections in the fuse panel are clean and tight.
Sounds like you are on the right track.

[TRichter54]

The bubbling wire was at the switch, which probably tripped the fuse. The fuse box looks clean.

[TRichter54]

Final Solution: I had two light switches that did not work. The first light switch that I described in the original post worked by switching sides on the switch. Not sure why but one side of the switch seemed to be bad, the middle connector was loose(on the one side). Changing the fuse fixed the other light as well as the fan in the bathroom, the light outside the bathroom, the individual lights in the coach, and the fans over the driver and passenger side. So happy this is fixed. My fuse box was easy to locate it was next to my converter switch which is located near the floor directly across from the stove in main hallway. Thanks for the help!