Lionel post war 671 light problem

[alcofanschdy]

The other day I took my 671 apart to fix the smoke unit.  After putting it back together the light does not work.  I took apart to check the wire etc and just ran the chassis with out the body and the light while resting on the frame was working.  When I put the body back on it won't work again.  What am I doing wrong?  Thanks

Bruce 

[1688torpedo]

 Hello Alcofan!     Sounds like the wire for the Light Bulb has a open in it( a open does not allow current to flow through a wire) Unsolder the old Wire & take it to a Hobby Shop so you can find the proper gauge of wire & re-solder that in place of the old wire & your problem should be solved. Take Care.

[lionelsoni]

It is possible that the wire to the center contact of the lamp socket is open but making contact inside the insulation in just the position where you had the lamp.  However, it is likely that the shell of the socket is not getting a connection to the locomotive frame.  The socket must be in the clip behind the smokebox door; the clip must make electrical contact with the door; the door must make electrical contact with the boiler casting through its hinges; and the boiler itself must make electrical contact with the frame.  You can test all of these possibilities by touching a wire whose other end is connected to the outside rails to each of these various parts to see where the open circuit is.

By the way, if you do wind up replacing the center-contact wire, consider connecting it to one of the motor brushes instead of the pickup, where it is now effectively connected, in order to get directional lighting.

[alcofanschdy]

Thanks guys I'll try your suggestions and let you know how I made out.

Bruce