Switcher 614

The service manual for the 614 has the wiring diagram in it.

Larry

Thank you for your response. I have the diagram you provided. Not too familiar with electronics so I am confused by the number of wires and/or connections. Basically I see 5 wires coming from my reversing unit but I count up to 9 wires on the diagram. Was hoping for a photo to show my 5 wires and their proper locations.

Why not start with a pic of what yours looks like so we can see what your working with?

@614 posted:

Basically I see 5 wires coming from my reversing unit but I count up to 9 wires on the diagram...

Yes, a photo is needed.

The 614 was made with just two wires from the 2 position reverse unit to the motor(one to each field wire not connected to a motor brush).

If somebody modified it post-factory for a 3 position reverse unit then there are 3 wires from the E-Unit to the motor.

@614 posted:

Here are your connections.

One other issue, for this motor to run right, this screw(purple circled) has to be made of plastic, or the solder tab must be completely insulated from the screw.  The is not a chassis/ground connection point, it is a strain relief for the rather brittle field wire. The other strain relief for the other field wire is the solder tab between the brushes(green circled - one of your missing connections from the reverse unit). The other ends of both field windings are soldered to one brush tube/holder(blue circled). The diagram connection points correlate to the pictured/circled connection points.

Thanks for the reply. I haven't had the chance to get into it yet. I will let you know how I make out.

I checked the screw and it is metal. But there is a plastic insert to isolate the screw. I temporally hooked up the wires as requested. All I get is a hum as seen in the video. Thanks.

@614 posted:

I temporally hooked up the wires as requested. All I get is a hum as seen in the video.

That wiring is completely NOT correct.  With one alligator clip attached to the brush at (Red) like you have it, there should be no power to the bulb or reverse unit when connecting the other power lead to (Green) as in your video or (Purple).

Alternating your transformer connection between Green & Purple is supposed to give you forward & reverse, no light, no reverse unit power/buzz/activation when you have the other one connected at Red.

Obtained this image and got things working. Thanks for all the help.

Ok what am I missing?! I followed the pictures given on this thread and I have a forward-running 614, although the e-unit is switching when activated on the ZW transformer, it won’t switch directions. I think I have my wires connected just as is shown in the pictures prior in this thread, so what am I not doing? Please help!

Try this diagram.

That diagram is helpful, thank you. Based on what I posted last night, unless I’m missing something, I feel like I have the same wiring as you just showed me. Both ends of the coil (green and copper) get soldered to the lug on the brush on one side, correct? The other side is the e-unit and light? Where am I going astray? I still have a forward-only 614. The e-unit is cycling too which is odd.

@James B posted:

Ok what am I missing?!

You're missing the nylon shoulder washer under this screw to insulated that solder tab from shorting to ground.

Ahhhh!! Ok so I have some of the insulation rings that can go in the light sockets, they’re small enough that they might fit that screw. Would that work?

@James B posted:

Ahhhh!! Ok so I have some of the insulation rings that can go in the light sockets, they’re small enough that they might fit that screw. Would that work?

It is supposed to be a shouldered washer so the tab is completely insulated from the screw.  This is not an electrical connection to the motor, it is only a mounting point for this tab to act as a strain relief for the brittle field wires. You can test the motor for proper operation first by removing the screw and running the diesel.

I understand now. So the tab is really where the connection is made? That screw in essence is shorting out that field wire connection?

That screw in essence is shorting out that field wire connection?

Yes. Some MPC era engines actually use a nylon screw.

I took the tab off the motor and ran it, I tried it with the washer, and it’s still only going forward 🤬🤬

Now what? The e-unit is shifting so why it’s not changing directions is puzzling. One thing I noticed is that the brushes are getting pushed up by the armature. I just installed new springs and brushes (the old ones were trashed), but could that be the problem? Seems like there’s a lot of play up and down inside the motor.

So to clarify, it runs in both directions until you install the washer?

Read through HERE as well for common problems with these motors.

No, it’s still only running forward. I apologize if what I wrote seemed confusing. I unscrewed the tab and ran it without the tab attached to the motor, and it ran forward only. Then I tried it with the washer and it still only ran forward. Based on the picture I posted, does it look like it’s wired correctly? It’s frustrating that I can’t get this to reverse.

Hmmmm….that’s an interesting thought. When I soldered the field wires on to the tab, I didn’t take notice it they were bare. This will be my next checkpoint. Stay tuned, and thanks for the recommendation.

So after inspecting everything again, I found something that looks like it’s missing. Under the bottom part of the armature, in the piece that it sits in on the plate of the power truck, is there supposed to be a bearing ball in there? In consulting with my Greenberg book it looks as if on the other diesel switchers, under the armature is a bearing ball. There’s most definitely not one in there and I think that’s causing it to not reverse, and instead actually push the armature out of its correct placement. Is this what could be wrong?