On Sep 8, 8:33 pm, David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 9/8/2009 5:21 PM Martin spake thus:

So what is it ... I'll guess some kind of current limiter to protect
the motor if the thing becomes jammed.

Nope. Small apacitors are typically used on cheapo DC motors like that
to reduce RF noise, as a courtesy to those who might experience
interference. They just filter out (shunt) high-frequency AC.

If it's shorted, just snip it out.

--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism

No,

I know what you're talking about, and those are in parallel with the
brushes and/or connecting the brushes to the case.
(and this actually has one of those too, right at the motor, which I
neglected to mention)

This thing looks just like one of them (small disk cap) but its in
SERIES with the motor and the rheostat.

Also, the non-blown-up one has one too, and it also reads as a 1 or so
ohm resistor.