I have 10 of the subject switches -- 8 work fine. Two carry power but the lights do not light and the controls do not light or activate the switches to change. I tried different controls and verified the sequence of wiring. Any ideas?
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Lionel uses a small value resistor in the internal supply wire to protect from overloads.
You have to remove the base plate to check it, it is in shrink wrap,
I assume you are using track power for the switch machines? If so, flip the subject switches over and check to see the jumper in in place between "AUX IN" and "TRACK JUMPER" and the screws are tight:
The jumper is removed in this pic because I power my switch machines with accessory power.
If the jumper is in place and tight then CHOOCHOOPAUL is most probably correct.
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Thank you. How do I check the resistor?
VOM or light blub across it.
Don't mean to sound like an idiot, but I am new to this. Can you explain "light bulb across it" please?
You need to do a continuity test of that little resistor. A flashlight battery, a flashlight bulb and the resistor all three in series (making a circuit). If the bulb lights the resistor is OK but if the bulb doesn't light the resistor is "open" (no continuity).
A cheap VOM is a convenient way to test continuity. The "OM" in VOM stands for Ohms (of electrical resistance). Zero ohms = continuity.
If you don't have a VOM you can test by 1) applying power to the track switch and then 2) put a bulb across the resistor. If the bulb lights the resistor is open (bad).
