barry B..no lights on 2-8-4 Birkshire p2

A couple of thoughts...

• If you have 14 volts at the headlight socket, that's probably track power and the 6 volt bulb has blown. I'd bet that the same is true at the firebox bulb's socket.
• This could be the result of a blown FET or FETs on the pS2 board. When a FET blows, it opens the circuit and allows track voltage to pass straight through to the bulb(s) that it controls.
• If the PS2 board is in the tender, the problem could also be a defective engine MUX board.

The first step would be to have a tech test the PS2 board and, based on what is found, move on from there.

 

Some others who are more knowledgeable that I of this engine and how its electronics are set up could provide you with more specific advice.

The fire box is a grain bulb...if the fet is fried,  could that be affecting the sound?

Further testing..
Reset functions..no change...
Reset to factory 3 times..no changes
Reverse lamp in tender operates as required
Tested voltage in headlamp socket on DCS track. .08vdc...at most
Sound still has "static" like an AM radio in a storm..

Taking to lhs tomorrow

What are you testing voltage against?  Make sure your not using chassis ground which is AC.  The voltage is pulsed DC so it can be hard to read on some meters.

 

What model # is the engine?

 

You may have a break in the harness effecting the headlight circuit.  Since you tested the bulbs and they work, it does have to be a hardware or wire issue.  If this uses a mux board that is a likely culprit. 

 

Best to send to a tech, can validate the PS-2 board is fine. G

Took to LHS..firebox and head lamp are not working.but reverse on tender does...also sound has an "AM radio station in a storm" issue
.its a MTH Birkshire ps2...30-1226-1
Was told need to upgrade board..which I cannot afford now, so am having constant led lighting installed, and will upgrade when $$$$ falls into my pockets....

Are these boards not USER FRIENDLY when it comes to replacing electrical componets..?
I feel that with my skills I could replace a bad component if I knew which one..
I am NABER certified and repair many communications devices..but I can get schematics...are schematics avaiable for MTH?

LHS had a test jig..plug and play..to test..

Yes and no.  You have the original PS-2 5V which has a certain level of repairs on accessible components, but because it is one piece and older there are unreachable parts and obsolete parts.

 

What does the speaker look like?  Is the speaker showing signs of flaking and powder like substance on the magnet?  If so a speaker may fix your sound up.  Also have you replace the battery with a new one, the original white style is past useful life now and a bad battery can cause sound issues.

 

Yes there are FETs on the bottom of the board that control the headlight.  It can be replaced.  You need to trace the wiring to see if the firebox and headlight are powered from the same wires. 

 

Is the large PS-2 5V board in the engine?

 

Some tech don't do component level repairs, others do. The PS-2 3V is much more user friendly for component level repairs as it is 2 piece.  Once you get to the PS-3 you go back to less friendly because everything is extremely small SMD and no documentation.   G