I have a Lionel 2046 that I cannot lock the e-unit into forward. It seems to cycle OK (fwd-neu-rev) but I am trying to lock it into forward. I apply power to the track and start flipping the lever and it cycles. As it proceeds forward I slide the lever towards the other side but instead of the going forward the engine shuts off. What am I missing here ? Admittedly not real up on mechanical e-units.
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Chris,
I haven't run in forward only in a while, but, cycle the unit fwd - neu - rvs - neu then move the lever and reapply power. This should put you in forward (locked).
Thanks Henry, gave that a try but no luck.
I am thinking the e-unit has a problem. If I start it in reverse and as it goes past me very slowly I slide the lever over, the unit stays locked in reverse. But if I try the same method while it travels in forward it immediately shuts off. Very Odd
Chris,
Has the e-unit been serviced at all? It could be one of the fingers is slightly bent or misaligned. Or the rotating drum may have a centering pin broken off. When I started working on my fathers trains back in 1995 I had a similar problem, but can't remember at the moment what repair I did that fixed it. One e-unit had the broken off centering pin, the other needed some cleaning and one finger realigned. I hope this helps.
I thought you cycle the e-unit until it's in forward, then cut the power, then flip the lever. When the lever is in the off position, the unit shouldn't cycle any more, as you're opening the circuit.
Correct. And one would assume the e-unit is fine if it cycles normally thru F-N-R and the engine runs.
When you move the lever over you are de-energizing the e-unit coil, and the plunger drops. The unit still should stay in the current direction. Is it possible it is shorting out when moved over?
Probably time to remove the shell and see how it is wired. G
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