Problems with an MTH Amtrak P42 Genesis #156

Can be an issue with motor power  if you mean as you roll throttle on it shorts.  Or an AC wire issue on the truck that shorts out on chassis when some movement.  Lots of things it can be.  G

GGG posted:

Can be an issue with motor power  if you mean as you roll throttle on it shorts.  Or an AC wire issue on the truck that shorts out on chassis when some movement.  Lots of things it can be.  G

Yes, As soon as I move the throttle the track will start to short, I’m going to check the board and make sure there are no detached wired

GGG posted:

Can be an issue with motor power  if you mean as you roll throttle on it shorts.  Or an AC wire issue on the truck that shorts out on chassis when some movement.  Lots of things it can be.  G

What about if a locomotive were to undergo a dead short?, where as soon as its placed on the track and power is applied, the locomotive makes the layout short out. How could you fix the locomotive so it doesen't cause any dead shorts?

If this does not happen with any other locomotive, I would look at what George pointed out to you.    Does the breaker on your transformer pop?  I do hope you are not running an old transformer from the last century.  Cab 156 shows a RailKing PS3 engine.   If you are unsure, get it to an authorized MTH tech.  That will be very easy for a tech to chase and fix.

@T1Titan_ZachF posted:

GGG posted:

Can be an issue with motor power  if you mean as you roll throttle on it shorts.  Or an AC wire issue on the truck that shorts out on chassis when some movement.  Lots of things it can be.  G

What about if a locomotive were to undergo a dead short?, where as soon as its placed on the track and power is applied, the locomotive makes the layout short out. How could you fix the locomotive so it doesen't cause any dead shorts?

It could be a short in AC input at the trucks, or the board has gone bad, especially PS-2 5V engine.  The answer for PS-2 is to unplug the 7pin connector to board.  IF still shorted the center rail power (AC) is shorting some where at truck, or along red wires.  If the short goes away board is suspect.

Replug in 7 pin and disconnect all the other plugs.  If power applied and short remains board is bad.  They can be replaced/repaired depending.  G

GGG posted:

@T1Titan_ZachF posted:

GGG posted:

Can be an issue with motor power  if you mean as you roll throttle on it shorts.  Or an AC wire issue on the truck that shorts out on chassis when some movement.  Lots of things it can be.  G

What about if a locomotive were to undergo a dead short?, where as soon as its placed on the track and power is applied, the locomotive makes the layout short out. How could you fix the locomotive so it doesen't cause any dead shorts?

It could be a short in AC input at the trucks, or the board has gone bad, especially PS-2 5V engine.  The answer for PS-2 is to unplug the 7pin connector to board.  IF still shorted the center rail power (AC) is shorting some where at truck, or along red wires.  If the short goes away board is suspect.

Replug in 7 pin and disconnect all the other plugs.  If power applied and short remains board is bad.  They can be replaced/repaired depending.  G

What about ps3 engines, does the board scenario apply to that as well?

Yes, but remove the 8 pin only.  If still shorted taking out the 40 pin won't resolve anything in my opinion.  G

Listen to what George pointed out.  Shorts are either a chassis issue or a board issue.    If you pull the wiring that powers the board, you can tell where you are.  With the chassis wiring pulled from the board and a short is present, you have a chassis issue.  If the chassis wiring shows no short and now you plug into the board and have a short, you need to find out what is shorting your board.   If you are into a board short, the 40 pin connector is not all that easy to work with.  Your best bet is to give your board to an MTH Tech who has a PS3 board tester.

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

Listen to what George pointed out.  Shorts are either a chassis issue or a board issue.    If you pull the wiring that powers the board, you can tell where you are.  With the chassis wiring pulled from the board and a short is present, you have a chassis issue.  If the chassis wiring shows no short and now you plug into the board and have a short, you need to find out what is shorting your board.   If you are into a board short, the 40 pin connector is not all that easy to work with.  Your best bet is to give your board to an MTH Tech who has a PS3 board tester.

It has been determined that I have a chassis issue, how could I fix that myself?

I would first examine all the wiring looking for pinched wires.  I would turn the locomotive over and using a continuity meter hit the rollers and ground and if you see continuity, drop the trucks and first look for the roller and ground wires to be touching at the top of the trucks.  You may find that your issue.  

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

I would first examine all the wiring looking for pinched wires.  I would turn the locomotive over and using a continuity meter hit the rollers and ground and if you see continuity, drop the trucks and first look for the roller and ground wires to be touching at the top of the trucks.  You may find that your issue.  

Good Idea!

If no pinched wires, the red pickup roller wire is touching chassis usually where it attaches to the top of the truck.  Insulation broken and rubbing chassis, or eyelet touching truck or ground eyelet if too close. G