Charles Bishop wrote:

In article , "Leroy"
wrote:

try this site for basic info:

http://home.howstuffworks.com/doorbell3.htm

This was helpful, and yet, not helpful. I know how a doorbell works,
that the push button is only a switch in one leg of the circuit, but
haven't a clue what might be wrong with the setup I've found. I was
looking for test suggestions on how to track down the problem.

In short, there are two push buttons, and one works, with its wires on
trans and "front door". The second push button has its wires at the
doorbell, but unconnected, and that's how I found them. connecting
them to trans and rear door doesn't work, and one of them arcs when I
touch it to "trans" terminal.

It's possible that there is a problem in the walls, but I'm not sure
how to test to see if this is the case.

As usual, sometimes typing out the problem can help. I think I'll
disconnect the front door setup and connect the rear door pair and
see if this works on its own. I should also check for continuity.

There's a good chance the back door wire was shorted inside the wall.
Someone may have driven a nail through it, or it may have just broken
and shorted inside the door trim from being pushed in and out too many
times when replacing doorbell buttons.

Run a new wire to the back door.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX