MTH R32 Subway Truck Sparking

These types of problems can drive you crazy at times. If it were me I might try switching trucks with another car to see what happens and also try putting just the truck by itself on the track to see if there is any short. It all amounts to experimenting and being a detective in locating the short (not easy). Sometimes it is not the obvious, such as a problem inside the car with a wire that has a very small break that is touching the frame. The wires with breaks seem to be a very common problem (at least for me). I had the same issue occur on one of my MTH passenger cars and it would short out like yours does. It worked fine sometimes and then it didn't. It was that really tiny split in the wire that did it. There are some replacement trucks on Ebay that you might be able to use in place of that truck if needed. Sorry I don't have a definite  answer to solve your problem. Good luck.

@N5CJonny posted:

These types of problems can drive you crazy at times. If it were me I might try switching trucks with another car to see what happens and also try putting just the truck by itself on the track to see if there is any short. It all amounts to experimenting and being a detective in locating the short (not easy). Sometimes it is not the obvious, such as a problem inside the car with a wire that has a very small break that is touching the frame. The wires with breaks seem to be a very common problem (at least for me). I had the same issue occur on one of my MTH passenger cars and it would short out like yours does. It worked fine sometimes and then it didn't. It was that really tiny split in the wire that did it. There are some replacement trucks on Ebay that you might be able to use in place of that truck if needed. Sorry I don't have a definite  answer to solve your problem. Good luck.

Thank you. I didn't think of trying just the truck by itself. I'll have to try that. This just randomly started happening. 

@Trainlover9943 posted:

Thank you. I didn't think of trying just the truck by itself. I'll have to try that. This just randomly started happening. 

Gremlins can happen at anytime, there are no rules. My favorite is everything works great for a long time until you want to show off the layout and then something goes wrong just at that moment.

@N5CJonny posted:

 

Gremlins can happen at anytime, there are no rules. My favorite is everything works great for a long time until you want to show off the layout and then something goes wrong just at that moment.

Oh yeah. I've had that happen before. 

If nothing is connected, I'd look at.the.track under the truck.

then open it to see if the truck rivet, screw, post, or CLIP is hitting a wire.

Also, too.narrow.a wheel gauge and the backside of wheels may short on turnouts, etc.

@Adriatic posted:

If nothing is connected, I'd look at.the.track under the truck.

then open it to see if the truck rivet, screw, post, or CLIP is hitting a wire.

Also, too.narrow.a wheel gauge and the backside of wheels may short on turnouts, etc.

I put just the truck on the test track (same one as in the video) and it still sparked. I'm really not sure what to do short of just buying a new truck. 

It sounds like the frame of the truck is touching the center rail. Put the truck on a single section of track, pick it and the truck up, and holding the truck on the track, turn it upside down, and look to see if the truck is touching the center rail.

Put some electrical tape on the entire bottom of the truck and try it on your layout. It should not spark.

Larry

Well I wrapped the entire truck in electrical tape and it still sparks in spots. Also everytime it sparks my LEDs get a surge of electricity thrown at them and get really warm. I've already replaced them once, not looking to do it again. I'm thinking I'm going to send this car to a tech to look at. 

I did not watch video, but is this a powered truck?  Check motor leads, check coupler wire if it has it.  Are all the internal isolators for pickup installed including top and bottom.  What about that pin in picture?  Touching center rail?  G

@GGG posted:

I did not watch video, but is this a powered truck?  Check motor leads, check coupler wire if it has it.  Are all the internal isolators for pickup installed including top and bottom.  What about that pin in picture?  Touching center rail?  G

It's a non powered truck. I ended up wrapping the truck in tape and it seemed to fix it. I even took the tape off and it still worked alright. It still sparks in spots but it can make it around the loop without issues.