FT 036 remote switch only throwing one way

OK, does a train or train car/loco coming through from the diverging route throw the switch from straight to curved?

Rob, when switch is in curved position, car/loco coming from opposite direction on straight section will cause the switch to be thrown from curved to straight.

With switch in straight position, car/loco coming from the curved section has/has failed to cause the switch to throw.   However, trying it several times with a heavy hand on the car, the switch will throw from straight to curved.  After doing this 8~10 times, I can now push the car through normally and it will throw most of the time.

Is this indicative of a poor connection somewhere?

Possibly. Disconnect the controller to eliminate a switch issue.

When the controller is connected, are the indicator lights showing accurate switch orientation?

With the controller connected, and the switch thrown both ways manually using the lantern, the controller lights up (red & green) as it should.  Using the controller and throwing from curved to straight, the controller lights up green to show straight through position.

Controller lever generally does not throw the switch from straight to curved.  When this is done manually, the red light on the controller is on.  However, the lever now seems to be working intermittingly.

Should I go ahead and disconnect the controller.

This sounds to me this has the cooper contact worn on the one side in the switch.

I will take a closer look at the inner workings of the switch and check the wiring to see if there is anything obvious that might be causing the problem.  It will be easier to inspect/work on removed from the layout.

I will likely be back for additional insight tomorrow but in the interim, thanks Rob and Big Dog for your initial insights.

I have three FasTrack switches right now that have misadjusted micro limit switches...or bad ones.

Chuck is onto the issue, it's likely the microswitch.  I have build up several with a spot of JB-Weld, they're not really adjustable.  The symptoms you list suggest it's the switch.

I recently had a similar problem with an FT36 switch.   I took the switch controller apart and snugged up the screws the wire were inserted into.  All of them were loose, i.e., they were able to be turned a little bit.  After doing this. the controller through the switch in both directions.

Steve

Problem solved - I think

Took switch back plate off which revealed the motor and micro switches were working properly.  As well, the Controller was throwing the switch properly to straight and curved positions with plate removed.  That seemed to point to an electrical issue likely involving the back plate so rather than spend the rest of my life trying to track down a bare wire touching the plate, I just covered the inside of the back plate with electrical tape.  Everything works fine and I did not have to spend an inordinate amount of time on the issue.

Hopefully that indeed was the issue.  If not, I pay the price tomorrow.  Everything reassembled and back in place and working fine.