I agree. Sounds like the brushes are not making good contact. Replace the brushes or tighten the springs pushing the brushes onto the commutator.
Only you can decide if it is better as a dummy. What would be the power if this became a dummy?
Hi Michigan Railfan:
You can also clean the commutator with a simple pencil eraser, but I would ask 'why waste a perfectly good eraser?'
I have a TYCO diesel switcher with a pancake motor in it. I bought it when I didn't know any better, and I even started to detail it. Then I realized what a brute it was so I dropped the project. However, I still love the thing! After a few high speed runs back and forth on my 6' DC test track it puts out more smoke than most steam engines with smoke units. I love the smell of ozone and burning oil! I run it every once in a while just for kicks but I shut it down before the smoke detectors go off.
Bottom line is that there are lots of better locomotives available for very reasonable prices. Turn it into a dummy.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
You might try cleaning the commutator with a little contact cleaner. I use a bent pipe cleaner, but other things will work also.
Paul
Check the brushes, and springs. It sounds like the brushes aren't making contact.
Back before I discovered Athearn and Atlas, I used to mess with these motors to try and make them better at slow speed running. Didn't have much success, but adjusting the spring tension on the brushes seemed to help.
Mike.
My You Tube
Check with your ohm meter for continuity between the drivers and motor contacts. Simple enough.
I use to have a Bachmann 0-6-0 with pancake motor and it had poor contact between the drivers and motor contacts. The motor did run ok with a decoder, just not the best. Pickups were the weak link.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I have an older Life-Like Santa Fe F7 that I have been trying to get to run for a few days now. When I press both sides of the pancake motor with my fingers the locomotive will move. However if I do not do this it will just sit there with the light on. Is there anyway to fix this, or is it better to turn it into a dummy locomotive?