...has decided to quit running. This is the first Z scale engine I got; the body was melted, and of course it didn't run. After cleaning and new brushes and a new shell, it has been a steady (if not somewhat noisy) performer...until now. At first, the light would come on, but it didn't run. I took it all apart, cleaned everything, and installed new brushes (even though they looked ok). Now, when re-assembled, the light doesn't work and it still won't run. If I run leads directly to the brush "caps", the motor runs just fine, but the light still won't work. If I remove the light, it (the bulb) checks out ok. (I should add here that this all happens whether the trucks are installed or not.) It's only after I re-assemble everything that the problem exists. It's in the re-assembly that this issue comes up, but for the life of me I can't track down what's causing it. The frame insulators all appear to be in place, but I think I must be getting a short somewhere. Since this was my first Z scale loco, I'd like to get it running again... Any suggestions? Thanks! Mark in Oregon
To answer my own question: Although I double-checked the assembly instructions before I took this apart, I found I had re-assembled the motor brush-holder-spring-insulators out of order; I had put those insulators on the outside of the pick-up contacts, not up against the motor sides. That's where the short was coming from. I've had these d*mn things apart many,many times; this is the first time I've done that! 2 lessons learned: 1: If you're going to bother to read the instructions, you might as well follow them. 2: You're never too old to do something stupid. Why this stopped working in the first place I have no idea: all I know is that it's running again. Okay, you can kick me off this site now. I don't think I deserve to be here... Mark in Oregon
Everyone is entitled to one mistake!! Your still on the right track and made it back home! Now running fine!
