Motor switch

https://ogrforum.com/...mohawk-6-18009-issue

"I just received an 18009 Mohawk which I bought via eBay in a live auction 2 weeks ago.  It looks great but it doesn't run.  The headlight and Railsounds come on but it won't move."

https://ogrforum.com/...asing-a-18009-mohawk

The grease was my first thought. When moving the amateur manually there is no resistance on the drive train. Thanks for sharing your years of wisdom in this matter.

Cheers

If you can turn the armature by hand and the driving wheels also turn, then your gears are sound and the gearbox isn't frozen with hardened grease.

Motors don't usually fail, although replacements are readily available.  It's more likely something with the electromechanical e-unit.  Test the motor directly by "hot wiring" around the e-unit with a pair of clip leads.  The armature and field coil should already be connected in series.   Report back with what you find and we'll go from there.

Thank you. I'll give it a try.

Cheers

Hello again . I tried what you suggested but still  nothing. I tried directly on the brushes without success as well.

If you haven't done so already, double-check that one of the brush wires is still connected to one side of the field coil, if not you don't have a complete circuit.  Perhaps post some photos / videos of your most recent attempt?

I frequently see these large Pullmor motors for sale on a popular auction site, and they're not terribly expensive.  But I find it hard to believe that your motor is "burned out" or inoperable unless the loco was subject to the worst kind of abuse.

Re: a motor swap... Only the most skilled engineers would be able to substitute the can motor from a Williams.  Because of the Lionel motor's wound field, its cross-section isn't round (look at it on-end, you'll see that the shaft is not on "center.")  The mounts are different, and the motor in the 1980s Williams locos is a huge current hog.  If you're determined to remotor it there are other, better choices.  Don't give up!

Ok thanks.  I think the circuit is good.  It will turn with assistance and there us spark with both brushes. I'll start looking for parts. And thanks for your advice on the Williams switch.

Cheers

They generally can be repaired easily sometimes the brush spring have been overheated due to excessive current draw and loose the tension to keep the brush in contact with the commutator, that can easily be repaired I aways replace the brushes and brush springs, York pa has many vendors who have the replacement parts! also while your inside the motor look at the field winding if the wires look black or burnt the coil has shorted and need to be replace, you can rewind the field coil if you're comfortable doing that, you just have to buy the same size copper coated wire! if the armature wire looks burnt you'll need to replace the armature , also if you don't feel comfortable you can buy the motors from TCA vendors!

most likely the E unit fingers are worn out or have broken off or the rotating gear is broken!

Alan