[LeonB]

I am very new to model train repairs, I thank you for any help in advance. I rewired my transformer and stop switch. I get a good voltage all around my track, 17.5V at maximum. Issue I am having is with a locomotive. It ran at first, after it was in attic for about 15 years. I oiled gears and cleaned out the smoker. Now its creating a short when I place it on a track. Are there any suggestions on what I should be looking at first? I already took it a part and inspected for any damaged wiring, I just dont see anything out of place.

 

[LeonB]

OK, progress. I was able to clear short, my light is back on and I can hear humming from inside. At this point wheels are not turning, I dont see anything spinning inside of the housing. Any ideas?

 

[rkenney]

The most common problem with these locomotives is the E-unit. This is the unit that cycles every time the loco is powered up. It has three positions: forward, neutral, reverse, neutral then it starts over. The lever on your locomotive, right in front of the cab, will switch the e-unit on or off. When off the locomotive will retain whatever position it was in before the lever was moved. This could be neutral and your loco would not move but the light will be on.

Do you hear a click and buzz every time you power the loco up? This would indicate the E-unit is functioning. If you don't hear that noise the e-unit is switched off; move the lever to the apposite position. If you do hear that noise and the loco still does not move the contacts on the E-unit are not making a connection to the loco motor.

Here's a little visual help for the E-unit:

View attachment 4Finger2.pdf

There are many good posts about diagnosing / fixing your E-unit if you determine that is a problem. Use the search bar to find E-unit.

 

[TrainLarry]

Move the 'E' unit lever on top of the locomotive. The loco may be locked in neutral. With the lever in one position, the loco should cycle between Forward, Neutral, Reverse, Neutral, Forward, etc.

When the loco is in the state you want it, move the lever to the opposite side and the loco will now be locked in that state.

If this does not work, further diagnosing will be needed.


Larry

 

[LeonB]

Thanks for reply, I was able to get it semi going. I hear buzzing but loco does not move. If I lift one side, disconnecting power to loco and set it back down, it goes again but not every time. Almost seems like it needs a jolt of power to move it again. At this time this is the only way I can make it moving. When loco starts moving, it runs fine until I stop it. Not sure what that could be???

 

[ErnestHouse]

@leonb this sounds like a bad E-Unit as others have described. Did you open it to make sure there's not a loose wire? This thread is titled about a Loco shorting. THere's usually sparks and transformer complaints in the form of hum.

I have a Loco with a faulty E-Unit that behaves similar to what you describe. Only different. It should cycle from forward to neutral when you kill power and then when you power up it is in neutral with lights on and buzzing. Kill power and it should go backward. Kill power and back to neutral. etc.

A bad unit may not cycle out of neutral when it should. So it sits there with light on but no go. Then later, I'll hear a click then it goes.

Check the internal wiring. Searching on E-Unit is a start. You can buy new ones.

 

[Big Ed]

Spray some contact cleaner on the plunger, never oil the plunger.

 

[LeonB]

I checked all internal wiring, looks OK. I will most likely need to buy the new E-unit. Once I get it I will rewire all internal wiring as well. Train runs OK now, but the switch is definitly not working properly. Thanks for your help.