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I recently bought a DCS TIU and controller. It's an older version and I'll say right off the bat the software is version 2.21 which I think is from almost 20 years ago. I have the cord to update the software coming in the mail and I'm hoping this will solve everything.  

So I wired up the TIU, turned the controller on and everything worked fine. I had a tiny bit of trouble connecting the engines, but after a few tries I had about 4 PS3 engines and 2 PS2 working with it. I was running trains for maybe a half hour when all of a sudden the remote started saying "out of range" and not responding. I had to shut the power off to stop the train. 

I turn the power back on and the SMPH wheels was responding sporadically. I'd spin the wheel a lot and it would move up or down maybe 2 or 3 SMPH and then freeze. 

I reset the power again and now no engine will respond. The SMPH will lag and go up one or two at a time no matter how much I spin the wheel but no engine will move at all. I tried resetting the remote and now it will not find any of the 6 engines I had previously been running with it only a few hours ago. I tried resetting and rewiring everything, it's just stuck in this state where it wont respond or interact with the TIU in any way, it won't run any engines and it wont find any new ones. Keep in mind it had been working flawlessly only a few hours ago. 

I'm really hoping the software update will fix this but has anyone had this happen or have any solutions? 

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Well if this TIU is as old as I suspect, it is possible that it just up and died.

A couple of things you can check:

1) when the TIU powers on, there is a red LED light that will Flash 1 to 5 times to indicate what address is assigned to the TIU.  If it flashed more than 5 times, that's bad news.

2) What revision is the TIU? There is a label on the bottom It may read H, I, or L. If there is no sticker it is the first revsion of TIU which is G. Again these not the best TIU's only made for a couple years before the much better version H came out. the Rev. L is latest version available now and by far a vast improvement over the G.

3) Lastly, it could be something as simple as a loose tranciever board in the TIU or the Remote.  Use an old school curly telephone cord to and connect your remote directly to the TIU (REMOTE port). If your TIU begins to respond normally, you may only need to reseat the tranciever board in the TIU or the Remote (the more likely culprit).

 

Thanks for the response. 

So right out of the gate the TIU flashes about 9 times, which apparently is not good. Any idea what this means? I didn't pay attention to the flashes when it was working normally so I'm not sure if this is different then before. 

I think I have the G, I've attached pictures of the top and bottom of it just for reference, but I don't think there's a sticker. 

Tried to wire the remote to the TIU with a phone cord, but I realize all my phones have a different wider cord. I ordered a 6 pin which should be here on monday so when it comes I'll try wiring the base to the remote. 

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Last edited by Billbarman

The pictures you provided indicate a revision G.

It actually a 4 pin curly cord that you'll need. But I fear with 9 flashes that the TIU is pretty much toast.  Generally that means the memory module is corrupt and will need to be replaced and it is not worth while to do so. It would be better to get a new TIU. Your remote is fine, keep that, it will work with any revision of the TIU.

@Billbarman posted:

Thanks for the response. 

So right out of the gate the TIU flashes about 9 times, which apparently is not good. Any idea what this means? I didn't pay attention to the flashes when it was working normally so I'm not sure if this is different then before.

Nine flashes is very bad.  That normally indicates a uP or memory failure, that's rarely field repairable.  You have the first version, the Rev. G.

Buying 20 year old electronics is always a crap shoot, I guess you know that now.

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