When the engine is on the track, the only thing that happens is it lights up. With a test transformer, I tested both rollers and I have power to the unit. Then with the cab off, I apply power directly to the reversing unit using the test transformer and both motors cycle forward, neutral and reverse. While doing this I do hear a very slight click from the horn relay. The horn does not work when a battery is in place. My question is if the horn relay is bad, would that prevent the reversing unit from working when the engine is on the track? What else should I check? Thank You.
With the shell off and the transformer connected only to the track, jumper the e-unit coil terminal that is connected to the e-unit on-off switch to the frame. Jumper the other terminal to the center rail. Do the motors run and sequence through their direction pattern?
Bob Nelson
Are you sure that there is power from the pickup rollers to the e-unit itself? The horn relay has no effect on the operation of the e-unit or motors. If the horn does not work with a fresh battery installed, that is a different repair. The battery contacts need to be clean and bright metal with no dirt or oxidation on them. The horn relay contacts also need to be clean and make good, solid contact.
Larry
And that is just the beginning.
There is quite a lot to do to get one of those old horns working.
Here are my findings. I took the shell off and placed the engine on the track. I applied power to the track. I used a jumper from the center rail to the e-unit coil terminal as instructed and the motors ran through their pattern. This happens without using the other jumper. I get the same results when I use and do not use the other jumper (jumper from e-unit coil terminal on-off switch side and to frame). What do you think?
Thank you
The jumper to the center rail is providing a connection that should exist, but apparently doesn't, inside the locomotive. There should be wires from the pickups to that coil terminal. Those wires are missing or broken, or one their solder connections are faulty. One pickup should be wired direct to the e-unit coil. The other pickup should be wired to a terminal on the whistle relay. Then there should be another wire from that whistle-relay terminal to the e-unit coil. Here is a wiring diagram: http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/locos/loc2321a.pdf
Since I don't know much about modern sound boards my question is if your horn relay is bad on you postwar 2321 would you replace the relay or remove it and add modern sound board?
Harold
It is doubtful the horn relay is bad. More than likely an overhaul of the relay, battery contacts, grounds and wiring will get the horn to work. Retrofitting an electronic horn is probably not an option, unless the cost is not an issue, and modification to the loco necessary to install the board and speaker are not an issue, and within the skills of the owner.
SUCCESS! Once I was told a horn relay has no effect on the e-unit, I knew where I had to concentrate on. The problem was inside the locomotive. The wire from the e-unit to the relay was broken but looked like it was normal as built from the factory. Thanks to all again to point me in the right direction. No many places to look but Bob did narrow it down for me.
I do everything and anything possible to keep my trains original.. down to a screw. I will either clean the horn relay as instructed or replace with an original.
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