Peco PL-11 Side Mounted Turnout Motor looking unwell...?

[JeffPreston]

Hi All:

The other day I was fitting another Peco PL-11 Side Mounted Turnout Motor and I was disappointed to see that although it was clearly 'clicking' when zapped by the new and wonderful CDU I installed on the layout, it did not appear to have the strength to change any turnout - either pushing or pulling.

I thought - "Oh well - you're going to get the odd defective one" - but then I wondered if the little wretch could be repaired.

It could! Apologies if this has already been covered in detail or is common knowledge.

I took a good look at the casing and fancied that it could be carefully opened - which it can with the gentle application of some kind of wedge. Being brutal - I used a craft knife... 

Once the lid was off, it was clear that the end of the stem which moves in and out of the wire coil had become displaced somehow and simply needed to be put back in the right place - then once the lid was carefully snapped back in place - it works perfectly! 

Peco make fine products and I want to make clear that I imagine the motor got into its wretched state due to rough handling from the layout's chief engineer. 

Anyway - if this happens to you... it can be fixed!