Horn and e-unit on 2339 GP-7

[Algonquin]

Hi Rick,

I just noticed your post today. I read the classic trains forum a couple times a day but I only review the model railroading forum about once a week.

The horn problem could be due to a couple things. To check it, revove the locomotive shell, place the locomotive on the track and power up (full power) the engine in neutral. Press the horn button on the transformer. The lower plate on the horn relay should lift and close the contact on the relay plate. This closes the circuit from the positive end of the battery thru the relay contact to the horn. If the relay does not move at all the wiring to the relay coil may be loose. If the relay plate moves, but does not close, the coil may require cleaning. The relay coil is mounted, right behind the battery storage area, away from the motor side of the locomotive.

You can test the horn by connecting the negative side of a "D" battery to the horn mounting bracket and the positive end of the battery to the end of the wire comming from the horn to the E-Unit(connect the positive side of the battery to the wire end connected to the E-unit), the horn should sound. If not, you probabley need a new horn.

Relative to the E-Unit buzzing, as long as it cycles properly, you may not want to mess with it. If you feel up to a small project, you can clean and/or overhaul the E-Unit. Ray Plummer wrote a nice article in the June 1991 (pages 80-85) CTT that covers all the details involved in this process. Another option would be to replace the E-Unit, however, this does not always eliminate the buzzing.

I hope this information helps.

Tim P.

[Anonymous]

I have a 2339 with a very noisy reversing unit. Also the horn does not work. I have changed the battery to no avail. Not sure how to evaluate the condition of the e-unit (can it be repaired of do I need to replace it). Any suggestions on either problem would be appreciated. Thanks.