My no. 2032040 LC Plus 2 Rio Grande Docksider came with an inoperative rear electrocoupler. I ordered a replacement coupler from Lionel, but can't figure out how to take the engine apart as necessary to attach the molex plug of the replacement coupler to the board inside. Has anyone done this and can walk me through it? Thanks.
(The dealer where I bought it doesn't have any more of these engines to do an exchange, and I'd like to avoid sending it back to Lionel for repairs if possible.)
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I've had the shell off, but I didn't look at specifically changing the coupler. Is it a mechanical issue or an open coil? The reason I ask is mechanical issues could be fixed by replacing the mechanics of the coupler from outside, no need to take the shell off.
I got my engine on Tuesday. Testing was good except rear coupler did not open but you could hear it fire .
Gunrunner John's instructions were on target. Rod needed to be adjusted and all worked. Thank you.
Thanks for the response, John. I tried replacing the end coupler assembly itself (that's held onto the shank with the two small screws, as you know), but disappointingly the coupler still didn't work. So it appears I'm going to have to replace the whole shank, which includes the two wires going into a small molex fastener. It will be necessary to get inside the engine to get access to the board the molex fastener plugs into.
An option, I suppose, is to cut the two wires coming out of the engine and the two attached to the coupler. and splice them together. I'm tempted to do that if taking apart the engine looks like too big a hassle.
No problem to take the shell off, I believe it was four screws. Two on the back of the cab facing aft, and two recessed ones next to the front pickup roller.
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