Problems with turnout motors/switches

[RobertInOntario]

I’ve recently wired two turnout motors to two of my turnouts on my small 5.5x3’ DC HO layout. These turnouts are located on the outer loop and take locos to and from the layout’s small fiddle yard. There’s an inner loop and outer loop.

FYI, I’m using Hornby point motors that fit and work well with the Hornby turnouts. The wires feed into Atlas switches / buttons for controlling the turnouts. I now have two problems.

1.) At first, these point motors worked very well but then I ran into a problem. The inner loop (which is powered by the transformer that also powers the two turnout motors) is now receiving electricity even when the transformer is in the controller is in the stopped position. In other words, the loco should be stopped but it still runs slowly around the track.

2.) And now one of the turnout motors only switches the siding in one direction — it won’t switch the turnout into the other direction. This problem only started last night.

I asked about problem 1 at the LHS where I bought the turnouts. The guy that I normally deal with said that I should try to ensure that none of the strands of wire are are touching other screws, etc. At first, this seemed to help but the problem kept recurring. I’ve checked this and, as far as I can tell, there are no loose strands of wire.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to solve this as I’m getting very frustrated. I also realize that I’ve done a poor job of explaining this and, if I get a chance, I’ll try to post some pics in the next day or so.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Rob