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Lionel postwar horn trouble help. Stumped!!

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  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 125 posts
Lionel postwar horn trouble help. Stumped!!
Posted by northernpike on Monday, September 18, 2017 9:54 PM

I have a mint 2032 Erie that I recently acquired and am getting going.

Runs excellent except for the horn.   Relay good and responsive.  Horn dead.

Took cover off horn, cleaned all contacts with 500 grit till shiny.  Minimal oxidation, looked almost new!

Grounded horn frame, closed relay with scrap wire from relay to horn coil.  Coil in horn holds strong.  Put cover on, crimped tight with only one tab breaking.  Horn crackles as I move screw in or out.  Cannot get the correct sound.  Ran adjustment screw entire length very slowly.  It did work great for a second or two, then it lost the setting.  D battery brand new.  What I don't get is the coil works but sound won't work.

Should I trash the horn and get a new one?

You tube, past horn experience and my Lionel repair manual not helping.

Figured someone has been through this before.  Thanks in advance!!

Tom

 

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 125 posts
Posted by northernpike on Monday, September 18, 2017 11:39 PM

Got it fixed.  Bottom of horn bracket had oxidation and frame had paint under bracket.  Scraped paint off and it works.  Paint must have insulated the ground.

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