Thanks for the reminder, roger.  I avoid that (now) by using a programming track that can independently be connected either to 'main" or "program" connections, without powering the main track.

I removed the two screws securing the fuel tank cover, no screws behind them, so I reinstalled the fuel tank cover. Since I already had the screwdriver in my hand, I removed the four screws set deep in the chassis, and that allowed the shell to be lifted off, revealing the Soundtraxx circuit board. All this because my friends loco only would sit on the track and make noise like an idling diesel. No lights, no response to controls, etc.  I tried to program on the main to assign ID # 3, and as far as I can tell, it did not work. Then I tried resetting CV-8 to a value of '8' ( programming on the main with MRC Prodigy Advance2 system) - program in the eight, de-energize the engine for five sec, and then re - energize it.  No response; but after about 6 or 7 seconds, the idling diesel sound came back on.  I noticed that after I removed the shell ( and saw that the wires were all soldered in place, no broken or loose connections that I could see ) thate there was a bright red light on the circuit board when the board was energized.

My conclusion is that the decoder is Kaput.  Anyone have any experience troubleshooting this problem?

Mr. Mick

Trying to figure out how to remove the shell from  a NYC Sound value F7A.It doesn't slip off as I expected; complicating things is that the front coupler needs to be removed before the shell will come off, not sure how to remove that coupler. Back coupler looks like it s part of the chassis.  Any suggestions would be helpful. I'm thinking some of those screws on the bottom might be involved, but I am not sure.
Thanks,

Mr. Mick

A friend asked me to repair his Bachmann 4-6-2; specifically, the locomotive ( Engine No.5475) dropped it pilot ( 4 wheel bogie) and the screw went one way, the spring somewhere else. This must be old because I checked your pat inventory and the engine does not show up. Can you tell me the screw size and suggest a spring for this?  The decoder also smoked, i am just going t replace the decoder; i don't know if the two problems are related ( e.g., pilot causes a short circuit that causes the decoder to cook). Any thoughts would be appreciated, Thanks, Mr. Mick

When we read the CV's we found that the address of the locomotive was  different address than my friend had been using.  Once the correct address was used, the loco responded as expected, and ran very well.  He then successfully reprogrammed the decoder, and

           All is Well !

Thanks for the suggestions to this post,

Mr. Mick

Two other questions for anyone who has one of these locomotives: when the loco is run on DC, it has two blinking lights; do these lights also blink on DCC, and are they controlled by a function (CV)? (It does not appear that they are controlled when the loco is operating on DC; i.e., they are always blinking)

My plan is to attempt to read the different values for the CV's using my own  DCC system, in the chance that my buddy did not address it correctly, etc. so it doesn't respond to commands.

if they can't be read back, and a different DCC loco runs OK, and this one doesn't respond, then i will recommend he replace the decoder, assuming the earlier incorrect wiring toasted the decoder.

Thanks to all who contributed to solutions to this problem.

regards,

Mr. Mick
York Maine

I fear for the health of the decoder, which is installed (plugged into the receptacle) ( the son looked up the number printed n the decoder) online and it came out as a Bachmann DCC decoder.

IS the locomotive such that allhe has to do is replace the decoder, and then it can run on either DC or DCC without any other adjustmens, etc.? The locomotive sense the control system and reacts accordingy?

If his LHS had decoders (but not Bachmann) can he buy one and use that without fear of cooking the decoder, or should he order and use only a Bachmann of the same type that is installed , and apparently fried?

Mr.Mick

A friend had me over to look at the layout he and his son are building.  Track is down, and they have just purchased an MRC Express DCC system.  They have a Bachmann F40PH which runs fine on DC, and they tell me that it can also run on DCC. They initially had hooked both system up at the same time, but they kept getting the dc controller to overload, and the engines would not run.  I had them hook up their DC controller (MRC 260) and the F40PH ran fine on DC.  They then removed the DC and hooked in the DCC, and the loco, does not work.  He showed me what looks like an Bachman decoder installed with an 8 pin plug.

Is there something else that we should do to get the loco to run on DCC? Or, is the decoder probably fried?.

My experience with DCC is limited.  I have an MRC Express  system and I have installed some Digitrax decoders and they work for me. I have no Bachmann experience, but it appears I need to gain some so I can help them out. I am used to programming in the loco address, and then just runnning it, I was not of much help.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Mr. Mick
York, Maine

I am curious as to how you disassembled the Heavyweight car so as to reach the truck to coupler linkage. Also, were you  working on a new heavyweight car or an older one?  I have an older heavyweight that I need to reattach the coupler, and the linkage, but I could not figure out haw to get the car disassembled to reach the inside linkage.


Any suggestions would be appreciated,

Mr. Mick