Smoke Unit On K-Line Starlite Diner Won't work, Please Help!

There is only one wire soldered to a lead underneath.  I suspect the second wire that may be missing from the other motor lead is the green one? 

Any input would be appreciated gentlemen.  

I could probably help if I had the unit, but I've never taken one of those apart. You're looking for someone to know it well enough to sort that out from memory, probably a short list.

Thanks John, 

I'll take some pictures and upload them to a picture hosting website and get the links.

Chas

Here is a picture of the bottom of the smoke unit in which it appears the green wire is not connected to the bottom of the motor.  Should I solder that to the other motor lead? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You

Chas

Does your diner play music too?  My Starlight Diner plays a short clip of music (I think it's Let's Twist Again or something similar from the late 1950s or early 1960s).

If you need a pdf copy of the instructions sheet, drop me a note and I'll send you a copy.

Hi Pat,

Yes, mine does play Chubby Checkers' "The Twist".

Thank you for the offer, I did get the instructions.  

If it would not be a problem, I would appreciate if you have a small inspection mirror to lift off the car from the base and check if my theory is correct to a missing wire from the fan motor to the modular connection from the pictures above?

If anyone has a schematic, that would be appreciated.  I am going to replace the wicking also.  How would I go about testing the other components on the smoke unit?

Thank You,

Chas

Good news guys!

I think I am headed in the right direction as I tested the fan motor touching the two connections to a 9 volt battery to confirm it works. Now to find out how to complete the circuit?

The blue wire from the motor is going to the two lead connection labeled "con2" as does the green wire.  Should I assume the green wire should just be resoldered to the other motor lead?

Thank You,

Chas

Where does the green wire go to. It seems from the pictures it is not connected to anything. It would seem the green wire would be the other wire going to the motor since it is on the same connector. This would make it easy to unplug the motor assembly and seperate from the circuit board. Quick test with a volt meter on the green and blue wires will show if it connects to the motor.

Thanks Riverrailfan,

I thought the green wire was connected to the side of the motor before I removed the board.  It looks like that is the one that should be soldered to the motor lead.

Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks,

Chas

This is the smoke unit for one of the other diners that K-Line started and Lionel finished. This is off the Lionel parts list for a 6-21276.

Maybe this will be helpful.

I don't own one, this is a "general statement". Two wires must connect to that motors tabs. Are any other wires broken and hanging? No? Process of elimination says more than likely that is its placement(99%+). Can you read the voltage off the two wires? A low amp/watt test lamp/bulb? Soldering on a can motor is a difficult job sometimes. Melting plastic too badly and/or loosing contact inside the motor isn't always hard. The tabs for soldering on some can motors pull out/ push in and tab-lock in place. On can motors I use high heat and work very fast. A heat sink is always a good idea. Good luck.

For smoke motors, it's impossible to use a heatsink as the tab is about 1/8" long and you need to solder to it.  On the positive side, using a 650F iron, I've never killed one, and I've soldered a ton of them.

From those pictures, I'd assume the green wire is the other motor lead.  Measure the voltage across them before you connect it, it should be 4-5 volts DC.

Yes, Green wire to the motor.  Measure resistance of element and make sure it did not open. G