PS1 Odd Startup Issue

maybe a coupler issue?

John Other than it sounds like your beating a flag pole with it. I assumed you used the reset chip. If I remember not to long ago there was a discussion about a similar issue. question, Did you try another chip in the board? My guess there is a path interruption and the board is bad. I had a Weaver SD40-2 with QSI PS1 and it did the same thing. Reset chip didn't help so I pulled it and replaced with a WBB board.  I still have the board. Just my 2 cents.

Doug

I have one that has the 3 clanks too. I don't remember what else it does. (20-2121-1) Many other chips runs it fine, so the board is good. The Make PS chip didn't make it work. I just ordered another chip from MTH for it. I was going to send the chip to George to look at it sometime.

3 Clanks is a soft ware conflict.  There are some strange issues where one chip work fine and another doesn't.  You can always go get a new chip made, or find a processor that works with the chip.

It is possible that an ID has been set and the Y6B software over rides it where the SD-60 doesn't.

G

I obviously tried the MAKE PS chip, as I figured it was just three funny sounding clanks.  For good measure, I tried the FIX 1011 chip as well, still nothing.  No go, didn't do a thing.  I'm assuming I'll have to go the new chip route.  The Y6B was a replacement chip.

Is there any oddity between the 2mb and 4mb boards as far as the resets go?  I don't often see the 2mb boards, and this is unlike anything I've seen with the 4mb boards.

Here it is! There is a list of suspect engines I believe on the second page

Suspect Engines

It's not on the list, but it has the exact symptoms of the starts up but won't run, so I'll probably get another chip for this guy.

Maybe we'll have to add it! I found this thread useful when diagnosing my SD60, which had the exact symptoms you had, described by problem number two on that chart.

Well the news letter also mentioned Weaver engines. So I guess you can also add Weaver SD40-2. John what was the date onthe board? Mine showed 1994. I would think that would be the best way to identify suspect boards with suspect chips.

Doug 

It is likely the chip, as it says QSI-1994 on it, and then there's the sticker that says.

M.T.H.

SD-45

I'm going to get another chip and see if that helps.  Since the Y6B chip works in the board, the only thing I'm left with really is the chip.

This is still good to know while trouble shooting. By looking for dates on the boards and chips you know right away to try another chip first before you determine if it is a bad board. 

My 2 cents 

Doug 

The 1994 is a copy right date.  When boards are dated, and not all are, it is 0797, 1098, etc...

I have had boards that do the 3 clanks and then transition into start up sounds like nothing is wrong, but they won't respond.  Make PS clears the 3 clanks for one cycle but still no go.  It is a software conflict between chip info, and eeprom.  It is a shame most of the knowledge on the software process is gone.  G

Your still here.

I think you've nailed it.  I thought I had cleared the clanks, then they came back after when I powered up the second time!  I was all smiles when it sounded normal, but it still wouldn't run, quickly dashing my hopes.  Then after a total power cycle, the clanks were back!

I must have something close, but slightly different on the FM chip. After using the make PS chip, the reset 18 will not work. I tried it in 3 or 4 different engines that run and the same thing. New chip is coming.

QSI made a replacement chip for   early MTH  proto-1s, You had to send  them (QSI) the top board and the board came back with all sorts of extra features, Milk run , engine ID etc The chip was marked QSI 2 +   . Do you repair guys run across these the odd time?

I haven't seen one of those, but I'm sure seeing a lot of PS/1 stuff, I never realized it was out there in those kinds of numbers!

Gregg,  Yes and also their last and greatest for PS-1 O the QS-3000'

John, Think about what was available for O in 1992 and such.  Mechanical E units and Sound of Steam.  Lionel was just starting with the electronic E-units and the early Railsounds.  When guys complain about QSI they forget the time reference.  You could run 99 trains on the same track and create lashups all by giving each engine an ID and Road name based on the number of whistle blast assigned.  All done with a PW transformer and a bell device added.   G

They were ahead of their time, no doubt about it.  However, they let Lionel ambush them with TMCC without having an answer for a few years.

Just received my new PS1 chip for the FM today and now it works great!

I'm hoping to have the same experience, I ordered the 4mb chip for this board set.  Since any 4mb sound chip I put in works, I have high hopes that will work also. 

What is the difference between the 2mb and 4mb chips and how can you tell the difference?  Are they interchangeable?

There all 4MG now.  The very early ones where 2Meg.  You can tell by lifting the sticker and looking at the chip type.  G

The jumper on the top board also has to be set for the correct chip type.

I imagine the engines with PFA sounds have the 4 Meg chips and the early ones without have the 2 Meg chips.

There are 2Meg PFA Joe.  You have to remember early on the Chips could only be had at 2Meg.  It was the 90s.  Now a day you get a double in Gigs it seems every 6 months.  G

How can I tell if the jumper is set right?  Will there be issues if they are miss matched?  I replaced the chip in my RK NYC Dreyfuss Hudson due to entering deselect, and it has acted a bit funny since.  Namely the squealing breaks are always on.  Using the programming feature to turn all brakes off kills the sound, but it did work before it needed the chip replaced.

Jumper to the left for 4mb, to the right for 2mb.  If the new chip is working, my guess is it's already set at 4mb.

Which jumper is it?  There are several on the top board.

What sounds does it make when power first applied?  Are you keeping voltage below 10V when you try to come out of reset and go forward?  G

Thanks G, as I wasn't sure about that.