As some of you know, I have been working on a couple 2025 basket cases. I repainted the shell, completely cleaned the motor, converted the smoke unit to liquid, and bought all new linkages, front and rear trucks.
I ran the motor for the engine about 2 hours, cycling the e-unit multiple times to make sure all was well, and it was… When I brought the whole thing together, it also worked great for about 2 hours. Now the e-unit won’t cycle! Stuck in neutral, no matter where I move the lever. Now I have to take the whole thing apart again, to work on the e-unit. Probably not a big deal, but I’m sure frustrated!! I can hear the pawl coming down, and it does seem to be turning the drum. The one thing that has changed, it the e-unit really buzzed when running the motor without the shell. When I installed the headlight, the e-unit really quieted down, but still worked. Wonder if that has something to do with the problem? Anyway, just venting a little…
Anyway, removed the shell for the umpteenth time, and still having an e-unit problem, even after a good cleaning. I suppose I will probably change out the e-unit tomorrow morning. I did notice that the e-unit is hot to the touch after being powered up for awhile.
I meant that the 2025 seems to me to be more complicated than other Lionel steamers to take apart and put back together. I might be wrong, but that’s my impression.
I suspect that the pawl is not dropping all the way down when the unit is not powered. When that happens, I remove power from the loco and give it a good rap with my hand over the e-unit. That will usually cause the pawl to drop and the e-unit will cycle when you re-apply power.
Run the engine with the shell off and you will be able to see if the drum is turning when power is applied. If the drum is turning and the engine does not cycle, one or more of the fingers may not be making electrical contact with the drum.
I wish I could help. But I know next to nothing about e-units. I took mine to good old Dr. Tinker. He fixed it good as new. Let us know if the new e-unit works any better.
On e-units make sure the barrel the plunger rides in is clean and free from oil and greese. A little dirt can cause the plunger to stick. Check that no teeth have broken on the drum. Also watch the slots the pawl pivot pin rides in. Sometimes a slight misalignment of the sides can cause binding. I’ve fixed some e-units where arcing has welded the drum to one of the finger contacts. The lever returns the e-unit solenoid to ground via and eyelet. If the e-unit doesn’t buzz this is a point to check.
Yes the 2025 isn’t the most fun to take apart and reassemble, but it’s not Rocket Science either. Keep working on it, you’ll get it fixed and learn a few things in the process…
I think the pawl is not releasing as well…If its still together, try tapping on the top of the engine at the e-unit. This usually will help it get moving. In full agreement with Earl.
I completely dissassembled my e-unit (not for the faint of heart. Very tedious) cleaned the drum, and pawl with alcohol, and polished both with a customized dremel buffing wheel, and cleaned again with alcohol, to remove any polishing compound.
Also, I have read that:
a. The pawl should not be lubricated.
b. The pawl should be lubricated with graphite.
Maybe someone can make a recommendation. I chose ‘a. not lubricated.’
Some may agree this is excessive, but my e-units cycle every time.
Rocket science I know about. E-units, not so much. But one thing I have noticed is that when ever I have an e-unit serviced, a new drum is always installed. The old ones are usually filthy and the metal strips are covered in dirt and grime.
Well, upon complete disassembly, I still don’t know what the problem really was. I did take the e-unit apart and clean it. When I reassembled it I got one of the fingers in the wrong position, so had to take it apart and again, and bend the finger back to where it was supposed to be. All I know, is for the moment, EVERYTHING IS WORKING!!![:)]
I have reassembled everthing, and the engine is pulling 5 cars as I type this. The familiar tink-tink-tink of the smoke lever is about the only engine noise I’m hearing, and the e-unit is not buzzing near as loud as it was. The e-unit isn’t cycling correctly every time, but good enough.
I would like to thank everyone on the forum who has helped with this project so far. If it wasn’t for some of the help and advice I received here, I would probably still be working on this engine. Out of the original 4 “junkers”, I only have one left (another 2025) to restore, and possibly start finding parts for the 2055. Again, Thanks for your help!
If the unit worked for about 2 hours and was hot, it may be that the e-unit is hot and is expanding or warping a bit, to the point that the pawl is hanging up as was mentioned above.
Let it cool down for awhile and see if it cycles through properly. If it does the e-unit is warping with heat.
Otherwise you may want to replace the e-unit with a different one.