Problems with a Lionel Switcher Chuffing Sounds

usually the cherry switch has gone bad or is out of adjustment. if this engine has a mechanical puffer type smoke unit then the actuating linkage may need tweeking also.

Thankxs. I have a new smoke unit to go on it also. It looks like I will to solder a wire in t the process. That will be new ground too but shouldn't be too bad. I just replaced a unit on the 6-38025 K-4 that was an easier fix.

Where exactly is the cherry switch? I am fairly new this Hobby I've been in it about a year for O guage at least. Found out rather quickly though maintenance is an issue as with everything.

Is that the sensor where the tender and locomotive attach?

A proper Lionel part number would be a big help.   6-1119 is not a valid Lionel number.  If it has a mechanical smoke unit (puffer), the switch will low on the frame activated by the lever that pumps the smoke unit piston.

6-11119 Southern Switcher.

I couldn't google the engine. But on lionel replacement parts when you search #6535 this comes up. It is the product

New smoke unit is working great. I need to identify that cherry switch you mentioned to restore chuffing sounds.

New smoke unit is working great. I need to identify that cherry switch you mentioned to restore chuffing sounds.

The chuff switch appears to sit right in the middle of the drivers on this one.  6-11119 Locomotive Parts

Usually, you can slightly bend the arm to restore chuffs.  If not, you'll have to replace the switch.  The chuff switch is item #11.

Thank's very much. It'll make my day to hear it chuff. I appreciate it.

I am ordering a cherry switch. When I went back into the locomotive one of the red wires from the smoke unit to the mass of wires in the rear of the engine came loose at the rear: I am having a hard time figuring from where. I will study the diagram to fix hopefully. If you have any idea where to look please let me know thanks very much Mr John.

I think I see that it may go to the smoke switch. Will have to solder it appears.

I don't think that's it. I need to locate a wiring diagram for the smoke unit. 

Don't know of a wiring diagram for that one, trace the wire out and tell us where it comes from, that's a major clue as to where it goes.   What's under that green tape on the loose wire? 

It's one of the red wires that goes to th smoke unit. The green tape is where I had to fasten more securely the connector.

That's confusing as it looks like there's a resistor on the end.  What connector is under the green tape?

I think it was a black sleeve. When I changed smoke units I had to splice the wires it's not like the newer models. But the resistor end wasn't exposed so I just closed it back up and it smoked o k. When I went back in it came loose. It still functions but not as well.

I can't quite figure where that wire would go...

I have been looking for a loose red wire from the cab area but it must be something else. I thought when I saw three tits on the smoke switch that was it. But there are 3 on on the direction switch also and only two connected to wires there too.

Only two connections to the smoke and direction switch.

Yes. Thats the smoke switch on the left with the openng. On the right the opening is toward the front.

How many wires connected to the smoke switch?  There should be two.

This is the old unit. The red wire with the resistor on the opposite end is one of these on the new one.

The fan motor runs on 5VDC, so I have no idea what they're connecting that to.  Since it was a TAS rig, my guess is it was connected to their "Smoke Unit Controller" board, it usually has a connector on it.  Where does the other white connector go?  FWIW, there are no resistors in a stock TAS smoke unit fan wire, so I have no idea what you have.

It's a mess. I appreciate your help. The devil is in the details. My MIB K-4 6-38025 luckily wasn't as complicated.  I already had to change it. The trouble with it started trying to go digital which I'm still working on. Was going to put that off. But out of the box the K-4 got stuck in TMCC speed control. So I bought the Legacy 990. Then the smoke unit wouldn't kick in. Finally I got the right sequences from Lionel to make that happen but sequences for high function on the Legacy controller and my engine it still will only put out like it's on low. I have a $400 controller setting in there now with the K-4 running on conventional cause that's the only way it will burn the smoke fluid off so far.

I'm getting engines mixed up, I was thinking this was a TAS electronics, not the Lionel, that's another thread.  Sorry.

I still have no idea what that resistor is doing in the fan motor lead, that looks very odd and not Lionel stock wiring!

It may have been tampered with before I got it. I am a journeyman electrician on Fortt Bragg and there's a wire nut in this thing that looks more like one used in a switch or receptacle.

Believe it or not, Lionel and MTH commonly use wire nuts, mainly for track power, and Lionel seems to like them for steamer TMCC antennas.

That white vinyl sleeve has a red wire going to the unit also. It may be the board u decribed. It fits tight as a tick but am going to get it off and see.

Yes the wire nut actually is crntroll type size it's originl

This is the board. The red and brown appeae to lead to the smoke unit. The black and brown clipped wires were already that way.

That looks like the Lionel smoke regulator board, but the smoke fan doesn't connect to that board.  This locomotive does have a smoke regulator.

 

This is the cover

Here's a typical wiring diagram for the smoke regulator you're looking at.

I had some resistors from control work on the new VA Hospital. I hope this is right

Well that wasn't right it was drawing power and not going full speed. I may just leave it like it was

I'm afraid troubleshooting this in pictures isn't working, that's one that I'd have to have in front of me to sort out.

I have it ssquared away. I just needed a resistor on both wires coming out of the regulator. It's smoking the train room up. And at full speed.