My tmcc E-33 just stopped

Personally, I'd say you have an inpending failure, but maybe that's the pessimist in me.

I suspect you'll have to at least check all the connections and seat the plugs.  The answer is, no it's not normal.

Thanks John,

I guess its a waiting game. I figured as much.

 It was well out of reach, and seeing how it is older, and cycling sound wise, I thought maybe I'd try to see if it had known quarks/patterns in operation, or pre-death rattles.

It did do this once before, but I think it was about two years ago now.

It did restart. After I killed its power source for a bit anyhow. It ran fine today too. 

 I've owned it since new, but have never pulled the shell I can think of.(gotta check lube!) It was a gift from my brother, a command guy(mth now). He had the shop go over it, & set momentum, check lube & all the good tmcc crap you have to setup. But even with that, he couldn't turn me to the dark side. Its couplers, Ive never even opened them, the shop tested them... I guess 

Anyhow I also guess I might have to breakdown, and crack it open for lube anyhow. Till it finally happens often, "I'm good". 

"Electronic magic". Hopefully my wishing was strong enough to keep it running awhile

I really hate chasing the intermediate electronic issues .

That has an older LCRU for TMCC.  I would check for a cold solder joint, or remove and reseat motor plugs.  Or service the pullmore.  G

Probably all of the above George, that sounds like the next step if it stops again.  I know I had a Pulmore motor that needed the brushes and commutator cleaned recently, and it was flaky until I did that.  I'm so spoiled with can motors that I forget you have to maintain the old Pulmore motors.

O.K. since I can reach it again, I reached for it. I'll do it, I don't want to leave you hanging......

I'm back loco in lap.

Problem A-

I have a broken boss on the motor side. A clean diagonal shear, 100% intact around the screw on the frame, & remaining boss. A plastic flaw.

The inside is dustless, weight was added by me at one time. I recognize my own work.

 Problem B- a headlight bulb is laying on the frame. It is from the motor side, but on the long nose side. Was it on the board shorting?...

Inspection- Looks like new, nothing to do.

 While reassembling from looking at the armature, I rolled some wires in my fingers, and I found my culprit.

"C-ing" the problem-

The yellow roller lead  "jumps" the pulmor in hoop fashion. It lies between a cap./screw & a brush. It was worn/cut away from pressure in turns at 2-3 points were it was touching the edges of the sheet brass brush holder & screw terminal. Not a broken strand in sight, but some carbon traces.

 Nice wire routing really, but a factory protective sleeve really belonged on it, not my greasy fingered electrical tape.

Glad you posted again. It talked me into looking! This only would have gotten nasty, CA & tape is cheaper than motors or boards