lionel 6-14538 seems to cut power as soon as reverse in slow

Sounds like a pickup problem or bad connection.  Acts like only one of your 2 pickups is working.  At slow speed when the good pickup hits some carbon on the track it’s lights out.  At higher speeds the momentum of the locomotive carries it to another good spot on the rail.  This is why you see all the flickering too.

If you have a multimeter, check resistance (ohms) between each of your 2 pickup rollers.  Should be none to little.  

BTW, this loco was originally non-powered from Lionel so not sure exactly what you have.  

it was probably 14537 just no box to justify ... unless something else to look at???

Agree that it is 14537 since powered A.  Troubleshooting that I recommended is the same for this.  

Ok so i have narrowed it down to the ground, but i am very confused...i have a wire attached to the frame... when the train goes "dead" i touch the wire to the wheel (non traction one) and i get nothing, but if i touch it to the track directly beneath it kicks on... if i run the train and touch this wire on the outside rail as it goes it runs fine backwards and forwards and doesn't go "dead"... any ideas how i could be losing ground??? or why i am being so stupid ... thanks...

@davido1224 posted:

Ok so i have narrowed it down to the ground, but i am very confused...i have a wire attached to the frame... when the train goes "dead" i touch the wire to the wheel (non traction one) and i get nothing, but if i touch it to the track directly beneath it kicks on... if i run the train and touch this wire on the outside rail as it goes it runs fine backwards and forwards and doesn't go "dead"... any ideas how i could be losing ground??? or why i am being so stupid ... thanks...

A wire from the frame to the wheel won't do anything since they are all common in the engine.

My guess is a broken or about to break wire from the trucks to the board. In one direction the connection holds and the engine runs. In the opposite direction the wire and connection shift just enough to open the connection, causing the stall.....

Start working your way from the wheels up with a ohm meter and check continuity.

ok so is there an easy way to get the truck off...screws from the top , or from the bottom?

Nevermind...found out how to get trucks off...

Ok so it looks like it is all wheel related...i cleaned wheels of all the "grime" and now has good contact... but of course something new... i replaces traction tires with 3/4 inch replacements but seem to keep slipping off?  is there a smaller size i should be using, or should i like glue them on or something? it looks like they had 3 points where they were attached somehow....

Lionel part number for traction tires for your locomotive is 610-8274-206.   They are 5/8” ID.  No glue required.  

ok thanks...ordering some...