I have an MTH proto 3 steam engine that is only ramdomly recognizing dcs commands. It is hard adding it. Once added I can get it running but then problems with commands Blow horn and it keeps blowing, problems slowing down or changing direction, run away train etc. All other engines running fine Any suggestions? Am I in correct forum?
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Double check the engine thether to tender.
Clem is right, that's the top suspect. Also, there are many cases where the interior wiring to the drawbar in the locomotive doesn't have enough slack and it will pull out of the connector inside the locomotive, make sure that isn't happening.
Clem and John. Thanks for your quick response. First thing I did thi morning was disconnected and reconnect draw bar. Upon powering up the engine came up in active list I was able to start up and then first tested all commands. Whistle,bell,couplers front and back, PFA sounds,headlights all worked. I then ran slowly forward and reverse ok for a few revolutions but about the fourth time I was not able to slow down or stop. Had to power off. Upon power up the engine came up in inactive list. I deleted and then tried to add only to get no engine found. Does this confirm a loose drawbar connect in engine? It’s a 0-6-0 switcher. Is it easy to get shell off to inspect
This sure sounds like an issue with the drawbar and it's connectors. It shouldn't be a big deal to take the shell off he 0-6-0 switcher and verify the cable connection. There are also sometimes a tiewrap that is restricting the slack in that cable and causing an issue of the connector being pulled out or stressed to the side by drawbar movement.
Thanks again Allen and John. Last night I pulled shell of engine and found connector not fully seated. It is now running fine!!
By the way John I installed your lighting solution in a couple of Weaver American flyer cars. Work great! Even in convential mode they are providing pretty good illumination down to about 6 volts.
Sorry I meant to thank Clem in previous post. My spell checker must know someone named Allen
@Wvm posted:By the way John I installed your lighting solution in a couple of Weaver American flyer cars. Work great! Even in convential mode they are providing pretty good illumination down to about 6 volts.
If you use the 5V LED strips, they work way down to track voltages that you'd never see, even in conventional.
I am having problems again with this switcher. Was running great a month or o back but have had off layout. Now when I try to add I get no engine found. It does however run perfectly in conventional mode. I checked the tender harness again and it seems fine. Any other suggestions?
Try a Recover engine. G
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