DCS will not add new engines

If all your functioning locos are PS3, there's a chance that the wires to the track got reversed. I had that issue once and it mystified me for a good long while...The locomotive already on the layout (PS3) would function normally, but I couldn't add any others. I finally removed the snarl of wire connected to a switchbox (being used if I needed to bypass DCS and to control power to some sidings) and reconnected directly to the TIU. Same result. As a last-ditch measure, I swapped the wires at the lockon, and suddenly I could add and run locos that weren't responding before. The locomotive that wouldn't add before was PS2, and while those are polarity-sensitive for DCS operation, the PS3 ones are not...at least after they've been added successfully.

Here's the thread where I documented my situation:

---PCJ

Idea one...place the engine you are trying to add directly over the place where the wires are connected to the track.

I have had the same issue with just one loco that won't add.  All others work fine.

Power up one of your engines that’s in the system. Put it in track signal mode and do a test of the layout. If your numbers aren’t good that could be your issue. If you happen to find a section that yields a 10 or close. Try adding your new engine at that spot.

You have power to the track when you add it? Sorry 43 years in IT has shown you always start with the obvious things first.

Another thing to do is to take any other locomotives that are on the tracks off of the tracks, including any conventional or TMCC/Legacy locomotives.  Make sure your track is clean and try again.  This is all pretty common stuff for DCS unfortunately so you just have to work through it.

Don't be like me and have two tiu's on with the same id, trying to add an engine....

It wasn't until I walked by my Christmas carpet central that I realized that's why my layout was having a tough time reading engines on the track

@Dave_C posted:

Power up one of your engines that’s in the system. Put it in track signal mode and do a test of the layout. If your numbers aren’t good that could be your issue. If you happen to find a section that yields a 10 or close. Try adding your new engine at that spot.

Unbelievable!   I have been trying for about three weeks at multiple times and various locations,   I found a 10 and it worked!!  Thanks Dave C!   I have been all around that section of track i know ...just had not been on that spot i guess.

@ChiTown Steve posted:

You have power to the track when you add it? Sorry 43 years in IT has shown you always start with the obvious things first.

Yes, track power is on. I have added over 80 engines over the years and only the last week or so I’ve been having an issue. I eventually was able to add the engine, the remote would say no RF signal and the about 2 minutes later that message would go away and the new engine would pop up. In the past it would take maybe 5 seconds before you would see “New Engine Found”

I’m also having an issue with all but one engine on my WIU. When I pull the app up. I can not add engines and even engines previously added that are on the track with power are coming up as inactive. Only one engine is active and is working great on all parts of the layout

This seems like a TIU issue to me given that the handheld and phone app are getting the same result. My 2 TIUs have 3 working channels between them. They all started to not be able to send a signal over more than 10 feet.

I was able to use them on the bench where the signal only had to travel a short distance. In your case you can send signals to operate the trains but I wonder if the transmission is a lot more for adding an engine. Maybe setup a test track on your workbench and see if you can add that way. This is just a guess.

Also maybe have a caboose next to the engine where you are drawing the 10's and see if that helps settle the signal down? Again another guess.

Is your TIU a rev L?  It seems like your TIU may be starting to fail. Signal strength alone won't really tell you this. I would try a different TIU if you have one. Also may reach out to GGG on forum to discuss. He has fixed mine when I had similar erratic performance.