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I have one of the new Bluetooth engines (part 28743, but in the bottom it says Hub No 5 model) that has started to under-perform and make some noises, I think that it need some maintenance (maybe due to cat hair) and I need to disassemble it.

The thing is that I can't see the screws properly. I think they are Torx ones but I don't know what size they are. Can someone provide the size and model of the key I need to acquire to take it apart? Any other advice is welcome, Google was not helpful.

Engine base

Engine base bottom

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3 Answers 3

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Here are some disassembly pictures and tips.

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Tools needed:

  • Either a precision flat-head or Philips screwdriver: There are two flat-head/Phillips hybrid screws that hold the the battery cover down. These two screws do not come completely out the battery cover.
  • T9 Star Key: There are six T9 star screws. Four on the corners of the housing and two hidden inside the battery box.
  • Magnets: Not required but helpful to keep the screws from getting lost.

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enter image description here The train has a headlight construction with two floating pieces that will fall out. There is a proper way these pieces go back in, so it's possible not to notice their right orientation.

enter image description here The clear transparent piece has a "wave" that swells up to encompass and sit directly on the light element. So, the "wave swell" humping up is the top of this piece.

The white headlight diffuse has two squared off "vampire fang" tabs. Those tabs are the bottom of this piece.

enter image description here Note: When reassembling, the white diffuse piece and the clear transparent piece have to be together FIRST, then TOGETHER, they are dropped directly down into it's spot. I found it difficult to put them in separately.

enter image description here Wheel inspection: I would start with the heavier, but easier to access back wheels.

enter image description here The positive and negative wires are still tethered to the board, but...

enter image description here ... it just flips up and out for an easy looky-look.

enter image description here Now to get at the floating front wheels, first we need to flip up the circular speaker.

There's a green rubber button that sits in there too. See the top lip of the green thing? That top lip sits on top of the wheel's axle bar. When putting the wheel and axle back in, it's easy to poke it around reposition it back in it's place, so don't worry too much about it, just don't lose it.

enter image description here Now it's time to gingerly pry up the green circuit board. When I was taking this apart, it seemed like there were two black tabs holding the board down, but I think those tabs are there to just keep it in place.

The two big (+) positive and (-) negative globs of solder seem to be doing double duty, both as electrical terminal points and as screws to keep the thing in place.

enter image description here Now be careful. Look at the above picture. See the angle I pried up? Just enough to squeeze the wheels and axle out. Look again at those metal diode stalks coming down from the board at a 90 degree angle. Those are the bulbs for the train's light/color readers.

enter image description here This next picture shows how those light/color readers look from underneath next to Mr. Green rubber button.

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  • Good Lord that's detailed! Even though I will probably never need this information (no Duplo trains) I appreciated the step-by-step instructions. A++ for the effort :)
    – JohnnyB
    Commented Aug 22, 2019 at 2:17
  • Thanks for the detailed explanation which helped me. Now I need to remove one of the propulsion wheel that is "slipping". Do you have any clue how to remove them from their axel.
    – HpTerm
    Commented Mar 21, 2020 at 18:36
  • Hey, there. Sorry it took me so long to get back. Had to get some food/things before the forced curfew... Anyway, look the picture below, and tell me which wheel(s) are slipping, so we're both are focused on the same part. Tell me (01), (02), (03) or (04). i.sstatic.net/0zVjP.jpg
    – Rin Rio-Oki
    Commented Mar 21, 2020 at 22:36
  • @RinRio-Oki I started a new thread to make things easier to discuss. So we can talk of it there : bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/13425/…
    – HpTerm
    Commented Mar 22, 2020 at 10:21
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I was able to remove the screws properly with a Torx T9 screwdriver from our Duplo Train Push & Go Motor (28743).

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I don't know if it helps, but there is a video about opening the train:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjTmENxCRrQ

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  • Hi charger and welcome to Bricks.SE! You have an exceptionally nice video linked, but as you can see in the help center and tour pages, it is considerably better to provide a brief description about the contents of the video. If you have pictures to add, they improve the post as well :) So in order to turn this link-only answer into a great answer, could you please edit it and provide a description of the process? Thank you!
    – zovits
    Commented Dec 24, 2020 at 22:09
  • Video is private and unavailable :( Any other source for the video?
    – sboulema
    Commented Dec 28, 2020 at 21:41

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