MTH Imperial Pennsy L1 Headlight

It is possible the LED burned out during the on/off cycle.  Seems odd, but it happens.   G

I've had a problem with my PS3 L1 Mikado where the wireless drawbar will not seat properly. As a result, all functions on the tender work, but nothing in the locomotive (including the headlight) works.

I agree with GGG that is most likely, however, that the LED burned out.

Good morning GGG, today since it so rainy here in the East decided to go down stairs and runs some trains including the MTH Imperial L1 Mikado.

Using DCS Remote I started the engine and noticed a small wif of smoke from the headlight area.

I shut the engine down and then shut down the power to the track and removed the engine from the layout.

Upon examination while the engine was in a engine cradle I noticed that under the headlight mount there are two small philip head screws.

"Curiosity got the best of me"

Upon removing these two screws you could see the headlight assembly pushing out from the engine shell.

The headlight bracket screws removed from the engine shell, I noticed a tiny burnt spot in the red wire going to the head light.

I think I found my problem.

MTH has shrink wrap on the wires but it looks like it could be about a 1/4" longer.

This would help protect the wires as the enter the engine shell.

I think this would solve this issue.

Looking at the headlight assembly closer I can't see where the headlight housing comes apart to remove the wiring and headlight bulb.

Is this possibly all one assembly ???

I reassembled everything and you can see the wires are rubbing hard in this area.

May need to enlarge the hole in the engine shell to help relieve the pressure on the wiring when everything is reassembled with a replacement headlight.

Any thoughts ?

Thanks in advance !!

Mark,

Just an FYI, assuming that this  is a PS3 engine. If not, substitute "bulb" for "LED"...

I hope that I'm wrong, however, if there was a short, you may have blown the headlight FET on the PS3 board. If so, this could have sent track voltage to the headlight LED and burned it out.

If you put another LED in to replace this one, turn up track power slowly. If the LED starts to glow as soon as track power starts to come on, stop immediately and get the board repaired or, more likely, replaced. I don't know if it would be the PS3 tender board or the boiler board that would need to be replaced.

Maybe you didn't blow anything. There's a dcs bug that causes the headlight to go out if one turns on the smoke. (not always but occasionally)

Did you try a feature reset to get the light back. Menu/Advanced/ reset engine/ feature reset. good luck.

Good afternoon Barry and Gregg, thanks for the replies.

Yes, Barry it is a MTH Imperial Pennsy L1 Mikado with PS3 Item #30-1641-1 equipped with an LED headlight.

Since you mentioned this, the headlight on this engine is really bright for a Steam locomotive.

I just felt this is the way the newer MTH engines with the LED were.

Be truthful with you I would prefer a more dimmer yellowish light for a steam engine.

Yes, Gregg I did a Feature Reset but had no luck.

Just feeling the wire with my fingers at the damaged area, the wire feels very pliable (insulation only), I believe the wire is burned off.

Although the engine is under warranty I am planning on taking it to the individual that does all my MTH repairs and I will pay him for this repair so I will print of these suggestions and show them to him.

Again "thanks" to both of you for your expertise and insight on this issue.

Gregg,

There's a dcs bug that causes the headlight to go out if one turns on the smoke. (not always but occasionally)

That's not the bug. The bug turns off all of the engine's lights (markers, number boards, interior, firebox), not just the headlight.

I own that engine and can attest to exactly how the bug works.  

Barry and Gregg, the only light out on this engine is the Headlight.

All other engine lights, front marker, fire box glow, cab light in neutral, tender backup light and tender marker lights are all functional and respond to the DCS Remote when activated or deactivated.

One of the issues that I see is the LED wiring is pretty thin and it seems easy to pinch on assembly of the engine.  I have already replaced 2 LED and associated Boiler boards where the HL circuit was damaged.  G

 the only light out on this engine is the Headlight.

I just made that point.

Yes we get it. .

Barry and Gregg, I did not mean to offend anyone with my last post.

I just wanted to clarify the problem is only the headlight and all the other lighting and operating functions has not been affected.

Just trying to put as much information out there so it helps people like yourselves understand the problem as clearly as possible.

Apologize again for the confusion. 

Refining the above-described bug, after turning smoke off, when all the lights Barry mentions go off, with much persistence they can usually each be turned back on, one-at-a-time. 

"I am planning on taking it to the individual that does all my MTH repairs and I will pay him for this repair."

Given what GGG & BB have said above, you might be letting yourself in for considerable expense.  Personally, I'd check the LED and the wiring, and if they're ok, I'd send it to MTH.

You certainly didn't offend me. no need to apologize... . . I think Barry was making the point that more than the head light goes out with the  dcs  bug.  He's right, this seems like a burnt out  led or bulb and  not quite an easy fix.