BLI SD40-2 continuity problem

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hey guys,

My BLI SD40-2 has been having problems lately. It moves a very short distance and stops. When I nudge it a little, it restarts and shuts off again. It’ll keep doing this as long as I keep nudging it.

I just disassembled it to run some basic diagnostics with a multimeter and discovered a lack of continuity between the metal wheels and the copper axle bridge (for lack of a better term)[part #101] that the pick-up wires are connected to. Do wheels lose their conductivity over time? They’re clean too so, I can’t understand why they’re not conducting electricity. Has anyone else here had this problem and if so, what corrected it?

Thank you,

2

Yup, clean it with rubbing alcohol and you should be good to go.

David B

3

Try cleaning the brass contact and the back of the wheel…That should help.

4

My BLI SD40-2’s are bad for this too, I figured it was just rail/wheel dirt but now I shall look further, Thanks for the tips.

Ken.

5

Hey guys, I nailled it.

Some 100 grit sandpaper to the inside face of the copper bridge, wheels and axles cleaned with alcohol and a little CRC 2-26 to finish it off.

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep