Advice needed on an MTH Proto-Sound 3 Locomotive (30-20974-1)

Hi when you try to lock the coupler is your engine powered up if not the coupler is defective, and you need a new one! there not that expensive! Is it a ps 3 locomotive? you could contact MTH, and they possibly would send you a new coupler! you could contact stockyard express could fix it for you there from Ohio!

here is the coupler part number but is not in stock maybe call mth and they'll have a substitute part number!

Alan

Try a feature reset first. Procedure is listed in your product’s instruction sheet.

The coupler does not lock in either case, powered or not powered.  I will try the factory reset - good idea!

the coupler should lock sitting on the track without power it is a mechanical coupler and coil energizing will unlock it! just push your fine closing the coupler and you hear a slight click as it locks!

Alan

Yeah, no clicking of the coupler.  Must be defective!  Going back - I am capable of repairing trains, but also of the mindset that I don't really see the appropriateness of repairing a brand new locomotive out of the box.

Thanks,

Dennis

If the coupler doesn't lock when unpowered, it's defective, case closed.

Excuse me but is it possible that like the cars, the mechanism might just need proper alignment? I know the cars sometimes, although it is a manual tab, come misaligned and you have to move that little tab over so a pin will go into the coupler hole. Do the electronic couplers have something like that on them? I did not check hence my asking.

There is no exterior tab or pin on these couplers.  I was hoping but there isn't any.  Exchange is in progress!