Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

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Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

November 24, 2018, 12:26:37 pm

I have just come across a problem as I was trying to fix my porch light switch. One of the six wires (red) I believe fell into and behind the wall which is inside the closet on my 90’ MB. The hole seems to be about the size of a pinky fingernail. I really am afraid to make more holes on the wall trying to fish the wire out. I was thinking of buying a inspection camera to see in, however I have read the posts on the insulation interfering with the visuals. Does anyone have any advice on what is the least invasive approach to get the wire back through? Thank you Jon.

Re: Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

Reply #1 – November 24, 2018, 01:06:50 pm

Hi Jon. The insulation is only in exterior walls. That wall in a MidBath just has wires in it. Pull out the drawers under the closet, and you will be able to access the wiring. feed a string or something sturdy (I use another wire) back down the switch hole. Connect it to the red wire and pull it back out. If I remember correctly the space heater and water heater are under there. RonB

Re: Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

Reply #2 – November 24, 2018, 01:49:55 pm

Thank you Ron. here is a photo of the inside. I believe that red wire fell inside the small hole where you see the yellow wires going into. I did see insulation.

Re: Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

Reply #3 – November 24, 2018, 05:29:47 pm

Just a thought, is your missing red wire in the loom above the yellow wires? Looking at your picture, it would seem pretty tight for the red wire to slip away and into the wall. If all else failed, and if you can reach it, you could open the paneling a little and grab it if it is there.
Jon....

Re: Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

Reply #4 – November 24, 2018, 11:17:27 pm

Here are some photos of the switch wiring on both sides before my wire popped off and disappeared. On the second photo (or switch 1 porch light), the red wire on the bottom is the one that disappeared. Maybe someone can remove their switch plate and photo their wires just so so I can see if there is any difference.

Re: Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

Reply #5 – November 25, 2018, 06:23:44 am

Jon,
We have an older TK and replaced that switch (porch light and “entry” lights).
Some of the wires were bundled together (multiple wires inside one outer insulation) and some were single wires. If tournament missing wire was in a bundle you would be able to pull out other wires in that bundle and the missing wire would come out with the bundle (we had a couple extra inches to our wires
we could pull out the wall).

Most of our wiring in our TK is fastened to the wood studs at regular intervals. Similar to what they would be in a house, which means there should be something (like a U shaped staple within a foot of the hole holding the wire in place.
However, since I have read that wiring in LDs are done however that installer did it (no standard practices done every rig), that might not be true for your rig.

The wires, while smaller in thickness, were reasonably stiff so for our porch light which was in a thick hollow wall between the cab and coach, a wire would not have fallen far (just a couple inches). I did not test this - I take big efforts to make sure wires will not fall down holes).

If there is insulation it might be helping hold the wire up higher - preventing it from falling deeper down the hole. An inspection camera can help find it even with insulation as you are not digging through the insulation buy hopefully looking on top of the insulation but be real sure you are not pushing the wire further in/down while trying to find it.
The camera, put just inside the hole, can help you see if the missing wire is in a bundle and if there are staples or other fasteners.

The camera - cheaper ones at Home Depot - did not give wonderful clarity and it can be hard to see what you are looking at. But you can work to follow the wires - make sure your inspection camera has a tight at the top.

First very securely fasten your remaining wires outside the hole (individually duct tape down or fasten each one to something to big to go into the hole - note you might push against those wires in the wall with the inspection camera so make sure a tug won’t pull them into the wall).

Then put the inspection camera tip just inside the hole and see what you can see.

Last resort, I would make the original hole bigger rather than make a new hole (or make a hole just above/beside it) as it is likely that missing wire didn’t go far.

Let us know how it goes.

Jane

Re: Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

Reply #6 – November 25, 2018, 08:43:00 am

After looking at the second pictures, that red wire has to be in the wall right behind the switch. In your first picture, there is only one red wire going in and about 3 or so on the switch. There must be a wire nut in there with all the reds in it and your mystery wire slipped off behind the switch. Did the piolet light portion of both switches work? I hate it when there is a simple on off function and they use 6 wires to get it done.

Jon.......

Re: Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

Reply #7 – November 25, 2018, 10:11:23 am

A tip I learned when I was an AE in the military. Put locking forceps on all the wire that has a notion to try to escape......
Amazon.com: 10 Assorted Kelly Locking Hemostat Forceps 5.5": Health &...

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Re: Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

Reply #8 – November 25, 2018, 12:07:58 pm

Quote from: colddog - November 25, 2018, 10:11:23 am

A tip I learned when I was an AE in the military. Put locking forceps on all the wire that has a notion to try to escape......
Amazon.com: 10 Assorted Kelly Locking Hemostat Forceps 5.5": Health &...

When changing older LD tail lights to LEDs, you MUST clamp the wires, before cutting them, or they will disappear into the wall.
LD leaves little or no extra wire when installing lights, both in the interior and exterior.
It is a very bad feeling to watch the tail light wires disappear into the wall, never to be seen again.
A pair of locking surgical forceps are a part of my electrical tool box

Larry

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Re: Red wire lost behind wall when trying to fix the switch.

Reply #9 – November 25, 2018, 03:57:08 pm

That made me smile - I would never have thought of locking surgical forceps to hold wires out or the holes. But with houses - my past experience - it is easy to punch a hole in drywall and patch it back up. Not so in vehicles.

Jon, our "entry way"'switch in the TK provided electricity to several places - the bathroom lights, the light just inside the door, and the light outside and above the door. No wirenuts, it had double wires in some places in the switch (actually the butt ends for the switch).

Jane

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