Have power, have motion, just don't go?

[Samurai_Chris]

Ok, my Micro Ace Fukuoka 813 (silver) has decided that it doesn't want to go?

I get power. The lights come on, the cab jerks when power is applied. But it simply won't go anywhere? I have tried cleaning the wheels, nothing seems out of place, but nothing?

Is the motor shot?

Chris

[westfalen]

Sounds like the mechanism could be binding up somewhere, does it seem like it's trying to move but can't? Can you move the wheels in the powered bogies a little with your fingers or are they jammed tight? Could be a bit of grit or something in the gears.

[Samurai_Chris]

Thanks Alvin. It does feel like it wants to go. But just doesn't. The wheels do feel tight, but I thought that was normal? And it seems to be the same on the other one I have also.. I just gave it a good drench in some cleaner and hope that may get rid of what ever it is that is stopping it, but nothing seems to be out of place? Strange?

[DanMacK]

Depending on construction, I've seen some couplings on the shaft come loose, so they're turning but the shaft isn't.  If that makes sense...

[Samurai_Chris]

Gotcha Dan.. It was the axle. It had separated and so no motion. trying to fix it now, but don't have small enough tools..

[cteno4]

chris,

sometimes the drive shafts will strip on the ends. there is usually 3 or 4 little bumps on the ball ends of the drive shaft that fit into the coupling sockets on the truck worm gear and the motor shafts. when these little knobs strip off they then spin freely w/in the socket and then no go and you have to replace the drive shaft. ma designs seem to vary a lot on the ones i have looked at so not sure exactly what yours are looking like. this has happened maybe 7 or 8 times on trains with guys in jrm on various trains. so far no micro aces though. i have had luck using different drive shaft replacements in different models in the past (ie using a tomix in a kato). tomix even sells one drive shaft that is extendable!

good luck with it.

jeff

[Samurai_Chris]

Thanks Jeff, looking into it now...