why is my lionel 4-4-2 not going foward, but only going backwards.

[SteamPowered3251]

My lionel conventional 4-4-2 is not working properly, where it is only going backwards, and 4 times neutral. If someone could tell me how to fix it, that would be awesome 

[sir james I]

Is the reverse switch on? The only other thing that comes to mind is the e-unit board.

[ADCX Rob]

Try turning off the smoke switch.

If that doesn't work, you have failed triacs on the reverse unit. You can replace them, or the whole reverse unit(about $17).

[SteamPowered3251]

Well I tried the reverse switch, I do think I might have damage e unit when I once accidentally placed it on my mth layout with power( using dcs) ( I am so stupid) I tried taking the e unit out but it wouldn't come out, I have to keep in mind that my 4-4-2 is from the 80s.

 

 

[SteamPowered3251]

Mine doesn't have a smoke switch, mine is an old model from the old new York central flyer set from the 80s. It does have a direction switch but I tried it already

[lionelsoni]

If it has an electromechanical e-unit, one of the fingers is probably not making contact with the drum.

[SteamPowered3251]

Well I opened it and it seemed like everything was touching each other. I have noticed that if I push on the cab in the second neutral state it will start to move forward, but it makes a terrible noise.

[Boyd]

If it’s a “can motor“ type 4-4-2 the circuit board should be easy to remove. I have had about 10 of these can motor 4-4-2 steamers. Some have 1 switch and others have 2 switches. 2 switches would control, 1. the reverse unit and, 2. turn the smoke on or off. 

[EIS2]

SteamPowered3251

Well I opened it and it seemed like everything was touching each other. I have noticed that if I push on the cab in the second neutral state it will start to move forward, but it makes a terrible noise.

 

If it tries to move forward, the e-unit is probably OK.  Sounds like a mechanical problem.  Check the side rods for binding and the gearing for excessive play.

Earl

[KRM]

I would ask what the Lionel number is, then if it is a can motor. I have had several that would do the same thing when the motor fried. I wasted money on a new electronic e-unit first before I figured it out. 

 

[SteamPowered3251]

I'm not sure how to take the motor out to replace it.

 

Aaron, leader of AMTC, Aaron's Mukwonago Train Club.

[TrainLarry]

What is the number on the locomotive?

 

Larry

[SteamPowered3251]

8632

[Jim Dauphinais]

Your locomotive is not from the 80s.

It is a Lionel Trains, Inc. 4-4-2 that was included in the New York Central Flyer sets in the mid-1990s.  My son's set from 1995 (Lionel 6-11735) has the same locomotive.

It has a DC can motor, an electronic E-unit and a smoke unit.  It does not have a switch to shut the smoke off.  It only has a switch to lock the electronic E-unit in forward or reverse.

In 1997 I replaced the motor in my son's locomotive after the motor was damaged through overheating.  I was able to order the replacement motor from Lionel, LLC.  Replacement does involve soldering.  However, the good news is that, with the new motor, the locomotive has continued to run fine to this day.

I still have the packing slip.  The Part Number was 6-00-8008-105 (DC motor and Pinion Assembly).

This all said, if the locomotive is moving forward, but making a lot of noise, it sounds like a mechanical problem as others have indicated.   As noted by others, check the side rods for binding and the gearing for excessive play.  Also, you should be able to manually push the locomotive back and forth on the track.  The wheels and siderods should all easily move when doing this.  If not, you definitely have a mechanical problem.

[Jim Dauphinais]

And here is the complete parts list for it:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/ReplacementParts/index.cfm?doAction=productPartFilter&number=6108632001&productID=e8526223-2fdd-44a1-8810-c9de47e2334c

[KRM]

Jim Dauphinais

And here is the complete parts list for it:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/ReplacementParts/index.cfm?doAction=productPartFilter&number=6108632001&productID=e8526223-2fdd-44a1-8810-c9de47e2334c

 

The bad deal here is it shows the motor as unavailable. Maybe give Jeff an e-mail or call at The train Tender to see if it has been replaced with a new number.

http://www.ttender.com/