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I am beginning to think switches will be the death of me yet... Spent some time this afternoon setting up all the routes in and out of my six track yard and one Command Control wye doesn't want to fire, at least 99% of the time. It doesn't seem to work when imbedded in a route, and it rarely works when addressed individualy through the Cab-2. My first thought was that there may be a loose connection, but switches up and down the route work fine. I then thought reprogramming the switch might help, but upon pressing the little black button, nothing happens (the lamp doesn't start blinking). Has anyone ever experienced this or does anyone have any suggestions for trying anything I may have overlooked???

Thanks.

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The fact that your programming button does nothing sounds like the switch has to go back to Lionel. If you are adventurous, remove the back and see that everything is plugged in.

Another possibility is that it has no or intermittent power. If you are using track power, see that the jumper is installed underneath it. Is the LED light reliably?

Carl & Chuck;

Thanks for the thoughts/suggestions. Based on some advice from Chuck last week, I did change the fire time - I used 1.25 sec. and that solved my initial problem (my switches are strictly command control, no SC-2's involved). I'll play around with the timing to see if that changes anything. 

I am afraid that you are right, Chuck - it may have to go back to Lionel. All of my switches use track power. Before I pack it up, I will do a little surgery on the back to see if the jumper is in place or if anything looks loose. BTW, the led does work consistently, and the switch can be easily moved manually.

The agita is returning!!!!

Thanks again.

Carl;

Thanks... I am about to begin the disassembly of the miscreant switch.

Gunrunner;

I marvel at your technical expertise, but as a self-acknowledged techno-peasant, I am not really sure what you are suggesting I am attaching an RR-Track diagram of my yard. It is electrically isolated from the three mainlines, and each track (except for the top two - haven't gotten around to them just yet) has a feeder line to a terminal block which then feeds to one handle on a PW ZW through a 10 amp circuit breaker, of course. The wonky switch is #10 - #8 and #12 work fine. What exactly is a ground wire, and where would you suggest attaching it?

Thanks

Wonky Switch II

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  • Wonky Switch II

The "ground wire" is a wire to bring the TMCC signal from the building earth ground connection close to the antenna in the command switch.  You can connect to the 3rd prong of a properly ground outlet and just run an insulated wire from there close to the switch.  Don't put it under the switch, the metal base will isolate it, just lay it along side the switch for a test.  If it works, you can get more creative about hiding the wire.

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