Lionel Standard Gauge 380E Motor Not Working

[temp0101]

I purchased a standard gauge Lionel 380E and it does not run. The motor does make noise and it seems like the e-unit is clicking when the direction is changed. I noticed some sparks where the brushes touch the armature.

I did my best to clean the motor using CRC electronics cleaner but it was relatively clean to begin with. It appears to be re-wheeled and possibly rewired.

I am new to trains and am not sure what to try next?

I am posting a video and some photos of the motor. I am using a Lionel ZW transformer as the power source.

Any advice on how to get this running would be much appreciated.

380E Super Motor from John Smith on Vimeo.

[David1005]

You might start by making a wiring diagram of how the motor is wired. The power starts at the third rail rollers, then goes through the reversing switch, in one brush, through the armature coils, out the other brush, through the field coil and has to end up going through the frame, wheels and to the outside rail.  If you can not follow the power through these motor parts, connected in series, then back to the transformer it will not run.   If you can follow this path through the motor, but it will not run, then something is not letting the power pass and further investigation is required, preferably with an ohm meter.   

[teledoc]

Here is a diagram from Olsen's Toy Train Parts Library, showing the connections to the reversing unit.

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/b123/001303.pdf

Also follow what was your first reply to this post.  It could very well be that you need to replace the brushes, and clean the armature face.

[temp0101]

Thank you both. I was able to wire it correctly and it runs very well. I want to confirm that this is supposed to only have a 2-position e-unit (forward and reverse, no neutral)? Also, what is the lever connected to the e-unit supposed to do? There is also a toggle on the e-unit, what is that for?

[temp0101]

One more thing, is this model supposed to have directional headlights? I tried wiring each headlight using the diagram "teledoc" provided in his post but neither headlight worked (regardless of direction).

[Penny Trains]

The lever locks the E-Unit into whichever pole the unit last switched to.  This locks you into forward or reverse on a 2 position E-Unit or both of those plus neutral on a 3 position type.

[big ed cnjrr]

It took some doing Doc, and trying over and over again.

But I am finally logged on. Strange way they do things here.

Man those wires look thick on that motor. I guess I am not used to looking a standard gauge wiring. What did the use back then 12 gauge wires?