Several months ago i started rebuilding my layout,when i went to re-install one of my 036 left hand switches it would not throw the switch in either direction,if i pushed the cherry switch in with a screw driver,it would throw the switch in both directions,but only when i pulled the lever down,it would not throw the switch in either direction when i pushed the lever up,i did post this problem here on the forum at that time,there were a number of suggestions,but being of limited knowledge i was unable to fix the problem,now yesterday i went to install another left hand switch & it would not work,i am having the exact same problem as the other switch,if i use a screw driver on the cherry switch,it would work in both directions,but only if i pulled down on the lever,my question is if i take the cherry switches out of another switch { I only have extra right hand switches that i will not be using } & install them into the problem left hand switch,will this solve the problem?,i think i can do this without any problem,other than that,i don't know what else I can do,unless someone knows what part i need then maybe i could order it & put it in myself,as far as having someone else repair it i don't think it is worth the expense. Thanks for any help you can give me.
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Gerald,
It almost sounds like you have a problem with the tracks coming into your switches, replace the tracks, on each side your switch, if you are using track power to operate your switches, and see what happens. Having the same power problem with 2 switches usually does not happen, unless you are using the same bad controller.
PCRR/Dave
Dave, I have tested the track both on the layout & off the layout using jumper wires,& the problem is still there,& i tried using a different controller & it did not make any difference,i still had the same problem it is something wrong with the switch itself,& the funny thing is both of these switches worked perfect for 7 years,until i decided to re- build my layout,also i don't see any damaged teeth on that fan shaped thing,no loose wires,everything seems to be intact.
Gerald,
Outside chance the joining switch contacts are not touching the rails properly, but I can not see this happening with 2 sets of switches. Are you absolutely sure you have the controllers attached to the switch in the correct places?
PCRR/Dave
check what it is sitting on it may jam the mechanism and independently from the layout, like just a terminal track and see if it works there
Dave,I hope you read this,i have to admit that when i read your last response i said to myself he's got to be kidding,i've done this before of course i hooked the wires up right!!!! ,so i then decided,well i will give him the benefit of doubt ,i will go down to the layout & check to see if the wires are hooked up right,the only problem was i didn't have any more left handed switches,so i looked at one of the right handed switches,& the yellow & green wires were hooked up different than my yellow & green on my two problem left hand switches,i just figured it's different because it is a right hand switch,then i decide that it is simple enough to switch the wires on my problem switches so i did so, well guess what?,you got it ,the switch worked great,the i tried the other left hand switch & switched the yellow & green ,sure enough,it worked perfect. So i learned two things today,#1,i can make the same mistake twice,& #2, i am as stupid as some people think,but in the end everything worked out OK,thanks to YOU,thanks again for your great help. Gerald Marafioti