Lionel 224 Engine inconsistent changing directions

[Delly]

Hello, first post to the forum but I've been a reader for a while now.

I have two 224 engines.  One of them is very inconsistent in changing directions but I have found if I hold down the direction button for a out 5 seconds the e-unit will eventually switch.  I've taken the engine apart, cleaned the e-unit plunger and contacts.  i put a drop of gun oil on the plunger as well (i don't know the actual name of the part of e-unit which goes up and down).  I've cleaned the track and the pickup rollers on the engine.

So far no change to the issue.  The other 224 switchens instantly in all locations of the track.

My assumption is there's an issue with the e-unit but i'm not sure what else I need to try.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated. thanks!!

[Flintlock76]

aboard!

Delly, never  put oil of any kind on the e-unit plunger, for it to work its best it has to be dry.

All is not lost, try cleaning the e-unit with spray electrical contact cleaner, give it a good spritz and make sure you let it dry completely before you test run it.  That's worked for me in the past.  Most hardware stores will have contact cleaner in their electrical sections.

Now on the other hand, the troublesome e-unit may be on its last legs, it is 75 years old after all.  I've got a 224 myself who's e-unit died in a shower of sparks.  Since it was beyond salvage I removed it and hard-wired the engine to run forward only, no big deal for me since I rarely back a train.  Next time I'm at a train show with parts dealers I'll pick up a replacement e-unit, but right now I'm in no rush.

[Delly]

Thanks for the info...do you spray the contact cleaner on the entire e-unit even the coil or just the fingers and plunger?

[pennytrains]

aboard!

Also make certain the E-unit fingers are making good consistent contact with the metal parts of the drum.  If not, they bend fairly easily.

[Flintlock76]

Delly

Thanks for the info...do you spray the contact cleaner on the entire e-unit even the coil or just the fingers and plunger?

 

I spray the whole thing, it won't hurt it and that way nothing's missed.