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Kato Motor Issue Track and electrical/DCC
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Prolific poster 4,031 posts Dave K skiloff Prolific poster 4,031 posts
Dave K skiloff

Alright, I thought I'd throw this out to the group.  I've got an N scale loco I was going to sell, but it isn't quite running.  The lights all come on as expected, but there is just a noise from the motor and it doesn't turn.  I thought I hadn't put the trucks together properly, so I removed them and everything seemed fine with them.  Next, I left the trucks off and put power directly to the pickups and still, the motor will just make a noise but won't turn.  It will jerk a bit every once in a while, but doesn't actually turn more than a touch at a time.

Clearly the problem is with the motor, but the question is, can I do anything to try and get it working, or am I just looking at getting a new motor?

Dave
Playing around in HO and N scale since 1976
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Dave K skiloff Prolific poster 4,031 posts
Dave K skiloff

One other thing

I can also turn the motor by hand and it seems to turn freely.

Dave
Playing around in HO and N scale since 1976
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Larry of Z'ville Frequent poster 984 posts
Larry of Z'ville

Can or open frame

In HO the Kato motors are usually open frame. If so there are some easy checks you can make. The noise and very intermittent power sounds like a short. That is usually near or actual contact between the rotor and magnets. Usually it would be difficult to turn. With the drives disconnected, apply DC power to the motor. See if it will take off when you spin it. Is it still easy to turn? The usual suspect with poor or no power is lack of brush contact, either from an dirty rotor surface or broken or missing spring. When that happens, power is lost, but I don't remember it making a noise with no power. Good luck, Larry

So many trains, so little time,

Larry

check out my MRH blog: https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/42408

 or my web site at http://www.llxlocomotives.com
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Dave K skiloff Prolific poster 4,031 posts
Dave K skiloff

N Scale

This is it.  Now thinking about it, I wonder if I put the mount back on upside down and it is shorting against the frame.  I'll look at that tomorrow and let you know.oved_-_a.jpg 

Dave
Playing around in HO and N scale since 1976
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Dave K skiloff Prolific poster 4,031 posts
Dave K skiloff

Upon further inspection

The magnet is broken inside and jamming it up.  I guess its a new motor needed now.

Dave
Playing around in HO and N scale since 1976
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