my 2025 is working once more:)

 This is just a suggestion, if the other truck on the tender has the pick up roller assembly wire it in(for a more postive power supply). Have you checked the rest of the wiring to the relay? If all of that is good, the relay could be getting tired. I have this issue with a whistle tender I have, but haven't fixed it yet. LHS repairman led me through the process.

 Here is one other possibility, the whistle controller itself on the transformer - if it is an older Lionel. This is the issue with one of the Lionel 1033 transformers I have. (At some point I will send it out for repair, or try to myself since it's an extra). Again, the local LHS repairman led me through the process. (It's been at least ten years since he closed his store and retired).

As for the e-unit, that is the most likely the case (magnetized). 

I hope this helps you.

Henry J

I had a 675 with an e-Unit that would intermittently stick.  I took the shell off to access the e-Unit.  Using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol (the 91% stuff) I cleaned out the slots on the e-Unit sides the pawl side guides ride.  The swab picked up some residue and the eUnit worked as it should afterwards.

If that does not help you may need to pull the eUnit apart and do a more thorough cleaning of the plunger.

When I resurrected my 2046 from the dead, the e-unit was sticking. I cured that by drenching it with WD-40, and then wiping it clean. It worked perfectly after that.

WD-40 is my cure-all for many electro-mechanical problems. It works wonders on sticky electro-couplers too. 

I recently found a cure for sticking pawls. Go to a hardware store and get that tool that magnetizes/demagnatizes screw drivers. Remove the pawl and pass it over the top of the tool. This works for sticking DC horn relays too. Some guys have said in the past that you can remove the magnatizm from E unit pawls by striking them with a hammer. I do not advise that trick. Make sure of course, that the E unit and pawl are clean and oil free. Re-wire BOTH of the wires to the tender. Sometimes dirty track will cause it to not work. Did you clean the contact points of the whistle relay? If you are using an old, unmodified Lionel transformer that may cause your problem as well.

Rob

Hi Traindork!     The best way to fix your problem is to use the Plunger & pawl assembly with the spring that the 1946 Berks & turbines used. The spring will push down the pawl everytime the Coil is turned off. Jeff Kane or Chuck Sartor should have these parts in stock. Take Care.

If you use the TV tuner cleaner that also has lube in it you are asking for a mess.

Rob

I am of the school that takes the plunger out of the E unit and, holding it a small anvil, give it a couple sharp raps with a hammer. Don't beat it to death, just a couple smart raps. Use a scotchbrite pad to make sure there are no burrs on the plunger. Also, make sure the pins on the side of the E unit drum are not wearing out, and that the contact fingers are clean and have a little tension on the drum. I have not yet tried a Dallee reverse unit in a Lionel loco, but they work wonders on American Flyer S gauge locos.