Post-war switch issue, really baffled

Probably time to open it up and see what's wrong.   This picture has the insulator pins in the correct place, putting them elsewhere won't solve this problem.  If one of the gaps are being bridged between the control rail and the outside rails, it'll drive it crazy.

Does the switch chatter if it's connected with no control attached?

It looks to me like you have a metal pin in the insulated rail on the turn out section.

On the turnout (i.e., the curved rail part of the switch), try removing the metal pin from the outside rail and swap it with a fibre pin.  That should take care of it.

SJS

Actually, I just looked at #16 more closely.  It looks like you've got the fibre and metal pins swapped on both sides of the switch rails.  Look at the photo posted a few moments ago by John and make your fibre pins match those and you should be all set.

Wow, I must have jinxed you with my O42 switch issue.  Same exact problem.  I tore the entire switch track apart and could find nothing.  I did learn something however.  The 6-12081 switch tracks are basically junk.  

Switches 15 & 16 have improperly placed fiber pins.

Thanks guys,

I tried 2 switches is on the bench and both of them work fine until I put them on the layout. I switched insulating pins back and forth on all the outside rails and nothing seems to work, still chattering?? The problem with the switches is not with new Lionel but post-war 022 switches.

It does chatter by just turning the lantern and with no control attached. It just chatters one way.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated because again, this is driving me nuts.

Much thanks, Jerry

If it does this without any other track connected, it's probably time to look inside as I suggested.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

If it does this without any other track connected, it's probably time to look inside as I suggested.

I agree - they are not to terrible to service. Here are the postwar documents you need that show exploded diagrams:

http://www.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=673

A long shot make sure there isn't a metal fragment or wire strand that is bridging across the fiber pin on the chattering turnout. If isolated turnout doesn't chatter on bench then I don't believe problem is inside motor.  But if it chatters then do as GRJ suggests.

Stopping the chatter. Try running a separate ground wire from your transformer to the  control Switch, then over to switch track that's chattering.

That should stop the chatter. It sound like low voltage on your return ground wiring causing a voltage drop to your motor on the switch machine that is receiving power for it to work property.

Please let us know how you make out here.

Good luck, John  

Hi all,

I screwed around and finally got the darn thing working and for some reason it didn't work then all of a sudden it started working and that's why I guess I was mainly confused.

I have got more switch controllers to do and would like to know what is the rule of thumb with adding  switch insulating pins especially as I have track running around in circles and figure eights and everything else.

As usual thanks for all your help , Jerry 

There is no rule of thumb for fiber pin placement on the 022... it is rule of law unless you are extending the trigger rails with additional straight or curved insulated sections. Study the two pins in this diagram of a left hand switch(the right is mirror image pin placement):

Thanks to all for the great responses! !!

Jerry 

I have a question about these switches. I bought a used one that someone converted to manual. At first it worked fine, when I replaced the bulb, it shorted out the entire lay out. I took it a part and it looked ok. I put back together and installed it, but now it draws so much power, it dims the rest of the switches, and the center piece gets so hot, you can light a cigarette off it. Any ideas?. Thanks.