Bachmann Class 66 non runner

[Charlie24]

I have a Bachmann Class 66 which was previously DCC fitted but the DCC decoder has been removed and replaced with blanking plug as I'm running on DC. Head and tail lights are coming on fine as soon as the wheels make contact with the track and their brightness increases as the controller power increases, but the loco doesn't move at all. Have tried oil. Removed body shell and PCB, I then found a loose red wire which looks like it goes down to the motor, the wire then came away completely as I gently pulled it. Wondering whether this is a wire that is meant to connect the PCB to the motor and could be the issue if broken? 

Any thoughts appreciated. Have attached photo of the red wire after it came out.

 

[cypherman]

Hi Charlie,

Have you tried putting power directly to the motor to make sure that the motor still works? That's the first thing I would try. If it does run, then you are looking at a wiring fault. As you have said, you have pulled the red wire out by accident. That wire was there presumably was for power, as the engine does not run now. There are 3 things you could do. One is to dismantle the wiring and try and find out where the red wire should be fitted and soldered it back in place. Or you could strip out all the DCC fittings and wire it as a straight DC engine. Both would require a modicum of soldering ability. You might if you do that stop the lights from working, as I do not know how the power to the lights is wired in, or they might end up being on permanently at both ends. The third option is to send it to someone who can fix it for you. How old is the engine. If it is fairly new, Bachmann would probably fix it for you for a price. Are there any clubs near you that you could ask them for advice and help. There is also the option of getting in touch with someone like 00Bill on YouTube. He repairs engines and makes videos of the repairs to be shown on YouTube. Modern engines wiring just looks like too much very fine and fragile spaghetti to me these days.

These are to me your options to fix your engine, I hope you manage to get it fixed.

Edited October 22, 2022 by cypherman

[Charlie24]

2 hours ago, cypherman said:

Hi Charlie,

Have you tried putting power directly to the motor to make sure that the motor still works? That's the first thing I would try. If it does run, then you are looking at a wiring fault. As you have said, you have pulled the red wire out by accident. That wire was there presumably was for power, as the engine does not run now. There are 3 things you could do. One is to dismantle the wiring and try and find out where the red wire should be fitted and soldered it back in place. Or you could strip out all the DCC fittings and wire it as a straight DC engine. Both would require a modicum of soldering ability. You might if you do that stop the lights from working, as I do not know how the power to the lights is wired in, or they might end up being on permanently at both ends. The third option is to send it to someone who can fix it for you. How old is the engine. If it is fairly new, Bachmann would probably fix it for you for a price. Are there any clubs near you that you could ask them for advice and help. There is also the option of getting in touch with someone like 00Bill on YouTube. He repairs engines and makes videos of the repairs to be shown on YouTube. Modern engines wiring just looks like too much very fine and fragile spaghetti to me these days.

These are to me your options to fix your engine, I hope you manage to get it fixed.

Thank you for your detailed reply. No, I haven't yet applied power directly to the motor. It is a pre owned loco however it was tested recently by the previous owner and no problems, so think this wire has been damaged in the interim. I have decided I will arrange a repair through my local model shop.