I have a set of switches by my front door. One goes to the porch lights. The other seems to be a 3 way switch that i believe goes to an outlet. The problem is there are so many wires and they don't seem to be hooked up correctly. {The actual box has 2 four wires and 2 three wires coming into the box.} The porch light switch was hooked to 2 black wires and actually worked. The 3 way switch was connected to 2 red wires and a white, but didn't seem to affect the outlet. The outlet i believe it is supposed to be operating had 2 black wires, 2 white wires and a red. The outlet works but not affected by the switch.

Can anyone help me sort this out... i really don't want to call an electrician!

Has the receptacle been recently replaced? How are the wires to the receptacle connected? It is possible someone replaced this receptacle and did not break the tab between the brass screws. Removing that tab allows the two halves to be operated independently, one switched, one constant hot. Do not remove the tab on the silver screw side (where the white wires attach).