Engine Errormessage with new ACL GP-7

I agree with your, “if it ain’t broke..”.  But, if you want to tempt fate, use a test track or get any other locomotive off your layout, then delete the engine.  Try reloading it.  If you get the same error it is the locomotive.  The problem might clear up if you can find and reload the sound files.  Alternatively, it’s a new engine so send it back.

Good luck.

I agree with Dan's post.

I believe the remote reported that it did not get a result that it expected to get. So it generated the message "engine error".

I would not worry about it as long as the engine runs as expected. When you cycle the system's power is when you'd really notice a major issue.

 Perhaps the message generated was caused by some other engine trying to answer the remote? That's why so many here suggest only powering the desired engine at that time.

 Keep track of your engines so you'll notice if one gets overwritten, or lost while doing the adds. Easy with a few engines but it gets more complicated as the remote gets filled up.

edit: Make sure to wait a few minutes with PS3 engines on powered track before adding. They need to charge the caps up fully. Sometimes I believe they take a little longer. Wiring routing issues can cause these messages.

PS2 engines should first, also be charged up fully. Both models will charge if run long enough and store info when the power is then removed.

Does the engine have a DCC/DCS switch?  If so make sure in DCS position.  With engine on track and started up, do a DCS Signal strength test with that engine and see what you get.   Is it less than 10. G

If the DCS signal is not fairly good, adding engines can be problematic.  As Dan says, it probably got added, but the TIU got at least one reply it didn't like and displayed the error.

Thanks for all the comments. I added the engine with no other engine on the tracks. There was however a 6 car set of Lionel 21`inch passenger cars with constant LED lighting on the track and a MTH caboose or two.

I will check the signal levels on the track tomorrow during the day. So far it seems to run ok and respond to the handheld. I think some of you have suggested that the engine probably has been loaded into DCS ok and I am inclined to feel the same way. 

By the way, it seems that the DCS slow speed running has beeb tweaked a bit. This engine begins to run at the first speed step. 

Thanks for your help

I am sure I am behind the times...but, there was a time that those Lionel passenger cars with lighting...maybe corrected by LEDs...would definitely degrade the DCS signal.  Could be affecting it somehow...who knows?

LIRR Steamer posted:

Thanks for all the comments. I added the engine with no other engine on the tracks. There was however a 6 car set of Lionel 21`inch passenger cars with constant LED lighting on the track and a MTH caboose or two.

DING...DING...DING...

The passenger cars may well be part of the issue!  It's fairly common for other powered stuff to impact the DCS signal.  The solution is to add a 22uh choke to the power pickup of the troublesome cars.