Engine not recognized

Try putting it on the track and then powering up your TIU. Sounds like you are missing the DCS watchdog signal issued by the TIU when it starts up and your engine is going into conventional mode. When the TIU powers up your engine should remain silent and then just add it like you did the other one. Menu>System>Engine Setup>Add Engine>Add MTH Engine.

I have taken the engine off the track more than once then powered up the TIU but each time I turn on the TIU the sounds start up.  I played around and took the other engine off my list and added it again and had no issue.

Are you removing ALL power from the TIU channel, both input and output?  If you're just switching the track power, the TIU won't send the watchdog.

Since you can  add the one engine with no problems I suspect there's a problem with the other engine. Is there a DCC or dcs switch? 2 /3 rail switch? It shouldn't be starting up with sounds. If both are new they may have had the same ID number (probably id 1). Move the first added engine to a different ID under (engine set up/ edit address) and trying adding the stubborn engine again... only the engine you're trying to add should be receiving power. Take the good engine off the track. Even if the engine misses the watch dog it should still add.

Since it's a new DCS system, just factory reset the remote and TIU and start over.

GRJ, I wonder if a conventional reset is needed on the loco that starts right up????? It could be locked in conventional neutral.

That's not a symptom that I thought was associated with needing a conventional reset, but it sure can't hurt to try it.

How do i perform a conventional reset on the locomotive?  I'll also make resets of the TIU and remote but would want to try the conventional reset first.

Worth a shot, But only one engine at a time on the track when adding.... did you check out the switches on the engine. (dcc dcs 2/3 rail?

Mike:  Here's how to do a conventional reset.  You cannot have a DCS signal on the track.  Either do not power the TIU or connect the transformer directly to the track.  Do not have any other locos on powered tracks.  Apply the power to, say 14 volts.  Press the whistle button on the transformer (not the remote) once and the bell button 5 times, at 1/2 second intervals.  If you get it right, and timing is the key, the loco responds with 2 toots.  If it doesn't try again, and again.....

I had a new PS3 that locked itself into reverse, and on application of power would take off a full speed; I have heard of others having a loco lock itself in neutral, which is what may be your problem.  As GRJ says, may be worth a try.

By all means try this before a remote reset.

How would I do a conventional reset if I'm using a Lionel Powerhouse?  The settings on the locomotive are correct.  3 Rail DCS

It's complicated to do a conventional reset with a power house. You set  up a var channel in var mode and turn off the dcs signal. Do you have Barry's book?  Scroll up the voltage to about 10 volts and use the dcs remote's horn and bell for the combination.   I don't think it will help, the engine is missing the  dcs signal for whatever reason...I would do a track signal test with the good engine at the location where you're trying to add the second engine.  Maybe even try using fixed 2, if you do try fixed 2 ,  fixed 1 must also be powered to keep the tiu turned on. Not off to a good start.

Track signal is a perfect score of 10.  I took Gregg's advice and did some wiring modification.  Is DCS signal turned off when using the variable output?  Fortunately my living room floor is my layout.  I used the variable voltage output brought up the engine to 14V as previously mentioned, pushed the horn and whistle button and got the magical two honks of the horn.  I thought success.  Then I put the wiring back to original and the engine started up again on itself.  Guess I'll have to visit the guys at Dixie Union Station to help out.

The DCS signal is not turned off unless you manually turn it off.

Hi Big Mike

     Look for shorts on the TIU, wire nuts, sometimes they are touching a wire next to the other.

     Every problem that I can not solve, the best solution is to call my local LHS and then MTH Tech Support at 410 - 381-2580 Mon. thru Fri. Noon to 5PM EDT.

     Diana or Jeff will stay with you until the problem is resolved.

One more thing, on the DCS Remote Control.

Make sure you follow these steps.

1. Menu

2. System

3. Engine Set UP

4. Add Engine • MTH

5. The DCS Remote will do a Auto Set up and name the engine

It is my understanding, the most common issue is Step 4, not picking MTH Engine

Do you have this Manual? "The DCS O Gauge Companion" by Barry Broskowitz

Since one engine adds and operates successfully while the other does not, I'd suspect an engine issue.

However, the following should remove any doubt:

• Ensure that the problem engine is not already in the DCS Remote, perhaps in the Inactive List. If it's there, delete it
• Place the problem engine on the track at the same place where you successfully added the first engine
• Attempt to add it
• If it does not add, try placing it on a test track connected to the same TIU channel where the first engine added
• If it still does not add, use the Recover Engine function (ensure that you are using DCS 4.10 or newer, and that the TIU has ID#1), as follows:

Menu/System/Engine Setup/Recover Engine

• If the engine is recovered, attempt to add it.

If none of the above works, the problem is most likely within the engine.

Hi Barry,

• It's not in the inactive list.  I have even deleted the functioning locomotive from my DCS remote.  
• Did that
• Tried it
• I've tried the same TIU channel and another TIU channel
• Tried it
• Engine not recovered
• I turned off the DCS signal and used the variable voltage and did factory reset.  Still starts up on it's own when it's placed on track with fixed voltage.

Sounds like I have a problem I can't solve.

P.S. I ordered/downloaded your book this evening.

Mike

Mike, note that a factory reset is not a conventional reset.

Is the engine that is not loading a PS-3 engine?  Is it an older used engine? Provide Model #.

When you have the good engine loaded, do a track signal strength test, what is it? 

Based on engine type and age we can look at other engine related issues.  G

It's a brand new engine: 20-20374....this one doesn't work.  I have model 20-20418 and this one functions.  Both are the Dash 8's... PS-3.  I did a track signal test = 10.  My floor layout isn't so big.  I've tried it all but the symptom continues that once I give track power the sounds start up.  i've reset all that could be reset.  Removed 20418 from the controller and added it again with no problem.  I've done one engine right so I can't be so far off.  These are my first 2 MTH units and using DCS.  

Have you checked the DCS/DCC switch?  Make sure it's in DCS, and also that the 2-rail/3-rail switch is in the 3-rail position.

Of course.  Checked it twice! 

Did you flip them back and forth a few times?  Those switches are not the highest quality, see if they "feel" like they're working.  I've seen them fall apart because the tabs aren't crimped properly.

There is a chance the wires near the 6 pin connector are too close to the signal transformer donut.  Clear the wires and see if that helps.

OR are using AUX power in the TIU?  If so after the engine starts up can you add it or address it?  If not try just using Fixed one for input without AUX power.   G

I think I have everyone stumped!

I've flipped the switch back and forth a dozen times.  Check the wires and seemed ok at the connection to the switch.  No luck.

G... remember I have one engine that works perfectly fine and another not at all.  I can add, delete, add, delete, and add the engine that works as many times as I want.  To power the TIU i'm using a fixed input.

The engine that doesn't work, may have the DCS signal being killed by the wires internal near the signal transformer.  Did you check that?  You need to clear them way and reroute away from the toroid.

Just to be clear after the engine starts, can you add it?

Otherwise your right, we have exhausted all the basics.  G

I don't know about stumped, as George says, it's getting close to time for someone to take a look at the engine.

This topic sounds exactly the same as mine

https://ogrforum.com/t...her-no-engine-to-add

I hope he responds soon so I can hear what the solution to his problem was.

Another thread,, probably no help but interesting.

https://ogrforum.com/t...ch-what-is-the-story

Well I don't know what to say.  I called MTH Service today.  He told me to take the body off and make a few checks.  So I checked the 8 pin connector and 40 pin connector for bent pins.  Nothing.  Then checked for continuity of the DCS/DCC switch and it all checked out ok.  Then I put it on the track - ENGINE FOUND.  Not sure what fixed it.  I didn't put the body back on at this time so I looked for loose connections to see if I can turn the problem back on.  Have to find the Red X  I assume it was something in the DCS/DSS switch.  What would be nice is if they wouldn't use a solder connection for this switch.  Troubleshooting would be easier.

My bet is on the actual switch or the connections right at the switch.  I've seen some fairly ugly soldering there on a couple of these.

Either pulling the plugs and reseating cleared some corrosion or the wires moved away from the Toroid.  You never answered my question, so was this the first time you pulled the shell?  G

First time pulling off the shell

Ok, so you never moved wires from toroid.  So we never really did all the steps.

This also applies to folks who use the Remote Cdr in starter sets.  If an engne runs in DCS but can't work with Remote even after factory reset, many times it is a signal strength issue.  DCS is strong, remote CDR is not.  So the wiring needs to be clear of the signal transformer.  G