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Hi Guys, I've got a problem with my PS2 Big Boy (30-1514-1) in that it appears to be locked in neutral. Trying to unlock with whistle + three bells had no effect. Ditto factory reset. It was running perfectly and a couple of days later it fired up okay, but wouldn't move. Lights on, smoke on, cab chatter and boiler sounds etc all okay, but won't move. Put it in reverse (DCS controlled) and the reverse light comes on and the smoke stops. Forward position and smoke starts, but still won't move. I've taken both bodies off and can't see anything obvious. Turned motors by hand, wheels and motion all move smoothly - no binding. Disconnected all electrical plugs and reconnected - no change. Tether connections seem all okay too. Not a track or circuit problem because it's been tested off-layout on brand new track. Any ideas for a simple fix? My Y6b blew it's boards about a year ago and I went down the ERR / TMCC conversion which was a great success, but I'd rather keep this old girl original as she sounds and smokes really good. Helpful suggestions gratefully received!

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What is the condition of the battery? Does it holds sound for about 10 seconds after the power is disconnected and complete the shutdown sequence sound effects? If that battery has never been changed, it's 10 years old by now and may not be good.

If running in DCS the battery condition may not have much effect on the direction control of the engine but will cause problems if you run conventionally for sure.

try a conventional reset 1 whistle and five bells in 1/2 second intervals. if you reset it correctly you will get 2 whistle toots.. use z4000 transformer if you have one with out tiu in circuit, or turn fixed 1 or 2 off and try reset either way it should give you 2 whistle toots if reset!   Factory Default" (1W+5Bell..

 

H1000 posted:

What is the condition of the battery? Does it holds sound for about 10 seconds after the power is disconnected and complete the shutdown sequence sound effects? If that battery has never been changed, it's 10 years old by now and may not be good.

If running in DCS the battery condition may not have much effect on the direction control of the engine but will cause problems if you run conventionally for sure.

Hi, thanks for the suggestion - yes, it does complete the shutdown sequence correctly and as the battery is about 4 years old it should be okay. However, I'll locate a new one and give it a go! 

Alan Mancus posted:

try a conventional reset 1 whistle and five bells in 1/2 second intervals. if you reset it correctly you will get 2 whistle toots.. use z4000 transformer if you have one with out tiu in circuit, or turn fixed 1 or 2 off and try reset either way it should give you 2 whistle toots if reset!   Factory Default" (1W+5Bell..

 

Hi Alan, thanks for the reply. I've tried it in conventional mode and it shuts down correctly, but I didn't try a conventional factory re-set. I'll report back later!

5 pin connector fully seated in board.  How about inspecting the Connection of tether on the engine PCB.  Are the pin solder joints cracked?  If you wiggle tether does it move?  You need to make sure tether is good, and good continuity from Motor terminal to 5 pin connector on board with shells off and tether connected.  G

Spamcan posted:
Alan Mancus posted:

try a conventional reset 1 whistle and five bells in 1/2 second intervals. if you reset it correctly you will get 2 whistle toots.. use z4000 transformer if you have one with out tiu in circuit, or turn fixed 1 or 2 off and try reset either way it should give you 2 whistle toots if reset!   Factory Default" (1W+5Bell..

 

Hi Alan, thanks for the reply. I've tried it in conventional mode and it shuts down correctly, but I didn't try a conventional factory re-set. I'll report back later!

Hi again Alan, tried a re-set in conventional mode and no luck - exactly the same. I'm tempted to try a new battery, but first I'll follow GGGs suggestions first. Regards, David

GGG posted:

5 pin connector fully seated in board.  How about inspecting the Connection of tether on the engine PCB.  Are the pin solder joints cracked?  If you wiggle tether does it move?  You need to make sure tether is good, and good continuity from Motor terminal to 5 pin connector on board with shells off and tether connected.  G

Hi GGG, thanks for the suggestions - I'll check out the connector suggestions tomorrow. Pretty sure the tether is okay - tried wriggling it with no result. Very frustrating with apparently everything all powered up and ready to go! Thanks, David

GGG posted:

5 pin connector fully seated in board.  How about inspecting the Connection of tether on the engine PCB.  Are the pin solder joints cracked?  If you wiggle tether does it move?  You need to make sure tether is good, and good continuity from Motor terminal to 5 pin connector on board with shells off and tether connected.  G

Sorry for delay - tether connections all good, both tender and loco. I'm going to try a new battery next. One strange thing - when it stands all fired up, lights on, smoke drifting from chimney, whistle, bell, crew talk and rear coupler all work on command. But, when the direction button is pressed on the DCS remote and the rear tender light comes on, the cab lights go off and the smoke stops. Reverse it and the cab lights come back on and the smoke starts up again. This has to be a simple problem - I'm going to go through every single connection again!

Hi Alan, no luck so far! I've tried everything suggested by yourself and GGG apart from the battery. I'm just waiting for a new battery & charger to arrive. I can't seem to find any 'dry' soldered joints - I've powered it up in the dark with both bodies off and wriggled the tether etc, but no sign of any sparking. I'm very wary of poking around too much because I'm paranoid about blowing a board. I'll post again when I get somewhere! Regards, David

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