K-Line K-4 Issues

The exact K-Line model number would help.   Do you have a Lionel remote to test with?  I'd start there.

Agreed with John on the remote. Much easier to program engines and eliminates a variable. I thought I had a tmcc engine issue recently that turned out to be the cable between my base and TIU.

 I’m guessing this isn’t your first TMCC engine you have run with your DCS remote. If the engine remains silent it sounds like it’s seeing the TMCC signal. 
 Can you describe in detail as to how you entered the engine into the DCS remote. If the engines new to you. How do you know it’s TMCC ID number as far as addressing it. Did you assign it a new number or are you just using 1 ? 

Sure, here's a pic and the model number. As of right now I don't have a lionel remote but I know I should get one. Keeping my eyes peeled for one at a decent price.

Dave_C, I put the locomotive one the track (in program mode), turned on the power, went to "add tmcc engine" on the DCS remote, put it in at address 1, turned the track power and TIU off, put the locomotive in run mode, and went to start it up.

I don't know the tmcc ID number. I assumed it would be 1? I'm not terribly experienced with lionel command control but I do have a few other tmcc locomotives. How would I find it?

As I figured, it's the K-Line cruise.  That may need some tinkering to get it moving, that board is the most problematic thing about the later K-Line stuff.

To run it in command you really need to know the ID number. Unless it is new in the box you can't assume the ID is 1. The CC suffix doesn't necessarily mean it has K-Line Cruise. All the TMCC Mikados end in CC and none came with Cruise.

The key is whether it will run in conventional. If not then there is a problem.

Pete

Maybe the tmcc number is the engine road number.  Try the first two numbers and the last two numbers.  Bet the previous owner use one of those to access the engine in command

 I’ve only added TMCC engines to the DCS remote that have known ID’s.

 I re read your post. You tried adding a TMCC engine. When doing this you already know the ID. No need to have it in program mode.

 If you can’t come up with the number. A couple posters had good ideas on a variation of the cab #. Try putting your engine in program mode. Enter the engine in your remote. Give the engine any TMCC #. Make sure it’s on the active list. Try this.

 Select System, Engine setup, Edit engine, Edit address, Scroll through the menu and select your engine. It will prompt you to put the engine in program mode. Select it’s new TMCC #. 

I admit to knowing nothing about DCS, but on the TMCC side, isn’t 99 considered a universal ID - might that work???

TMCC #99 only works with Legacy locomotives based on the RCMC electronics.  TMCC and early Legacy with the modular board set don't recognize TMCC #99 as a universal address.

Reset the engine # to 1 and give it a try.  If it does not work then, it is broke.

As asked, does it run conventionally?

So I tried running it in conventional mode today and I got it moving. I also tried looking for the ID number using the combinations from the cab number in command mode and that worked. I found the ID which was the first two digits. So now it will start up, the bell and whistle works, and direction works, but it won't move. Any suggestions there?

Might be time to take off the shell and take a picture of boards in the engine or the motor itself. Maybe it does have cruise??? If so that is the likely suspect.

Pete

 I can’t explain this. I even mentioned to a few DCS gurus. Every K-Line engine with K-Lines cruise exhibits this. Start up your engine. Click the soft key for speed. You will see a choice of 32 or 128. Select 128. Every K-Line engine I own and there’s a few. Will just sit there unresponsive in 32 step mode. I noticed this on my Berkshires. Just went downstairs now and verified it with my Tank engine.

Great idea with the speed steps! Got it running in command mode now! The only thing is when cruise is turned on, it'll only go slow even when the speed steps are maxed out. I attached a video of this. When cruise is turned off, it'll go much faster but its jerky and not so smooth. Is there a fix to this or is that just how these K-Line locomotives are?

 Check your manual or the TMCC reference manuals on the Forum as to. How to change the speed steps. It looks like it’s in the 256 step speed mode rather than 128. I know you do a lot of throttle turning with Cab 1 in that mode.  In 128 it should run similar to an MTH engine.

Now that it is running, do you have a club or friend that has a TMCC system you can run it at.  That way you will not have any interface problems to see if it runs correctly.  I had 1 K-line with cruise and I ran it with my Legacy under cab or TMCC output and it ran slow also.  Well anyway I switched output from the Legacy to the other TMCC or CAB and it ran much better.  I'm thinking you may have the same problem.  But if you run it under actual TMCC you'll know for sure if the are any problems.

It's running better now. I think what I'll do is oil and grease it and keep an eye out for a cheap cab-1. Thanks for all the help so far guys!