I have had a EZ command DCC system for a number of years now. My system is no long working as intended in where a programmed locomotive, brand new out of the box locomotive, will start moving at the command of the controller but then won't respond to any command give by the controller except for the emergency stop command.
Is this a common issue for the EZ command system and is it fixable or do I need to get a new sytem?
Is this problem unique to one locomotive? Or does it affect all your locomotives?
The way to tell for sure where the problem is, is to take the subject locomotive to another layout with DCC and try it there.
The consensus is that at the price point the EZ command sells for, it's more practical to just get another one if a problem arises. They aren't really fixable, arent intended to be, and are permanently riveted closed to discourage the inevitable tinkerer.
If you're going to become more serious about model railroading, at this point you should invest in a more advanced DCC system anyway, and leave the EZ command mindset behind. The EZ Command unit is a marvelous creation Bachmann devised, designed to be the DCC equivalent of the old train set "transformer" of old, a very simple plug and play quick simple operation unit. But not much more than that because most Train set operators don't want any more than that and don't need to pay for it. The EZ command is to be applauded for what it is, but also recognized for the Limited application purpose it has.
If you decide to go more advanced, don't let what appears to be unfathomable depths of complication deter you from DCC. Google and YouTube are full of information to help you make a informed choice of which system to get. And there's a bunch of us here that have long experience with model railroading that can help you with questions as they arise. In all fairness to the Bach Man, he offers such a system that you can consider along with others. All of them have advantages and disadvantages that as you become aware of them, can help you make a choice.
Hold on, ...lets' not get ahead of this issue until more details are provided. What's in question is, "Is Bachmann's DCC Controller providing a problem?" To answer that, these listed details are needed:
1. Is the brand-new locomotive manufactured by "Bachmann", "Atlas", "Broadway", etc.
2. Is the Bachmann EZ Controller button 10 (probably mistakenly) been pressed to operate in DC mode.
3. The model of EZ command controller (namely the plus version) could be an issue. (Will need additional info, i.e. model number.)
Assuming that the new locomotive is manufactured by Bachmann, then based on the limited information provided, the decoder CV address (out of the box) should be set to 3. If the EZ command controller experienced any short on powering up, the EZ command will automatically move to button 1. Thereby rendering the locomotive to operate in auto (per say). Therefore, to return control of the new locomotive, the button 3 must be pressed to put the controller back into communication with the new locomotive.
Also based on the provided info, the EZ controller is functioning from the info provided since, its powering the track (locomotive is operating), and the emergency stop feature is operating.
To troubleshoot this problem:
1- remove all locomotives from the track.
2-power (energize) the EZ command (connected to the track)
3-set the power knob to minimal power to the track
3-set the EZ command controller to 3 (press the 3 button)
4-place the new locomotive on the track
If the locomotive powers and wants to move on the track (no. 3 is not at minimum) or the locomotive is in DC mode. It could indicate an issue with the power knob.
If the locomotive does not want to move once on the track, then power the locomotive by rotating the power knob. The locomotive should move if the decoder CV address and the controller button is in position 3.
If the locomotive does not move with the controller button in 3, this would indicate that the locomotive CV address is not 3 but some other address.
There could be other issues, but more details would be needed.
Hope this helps.