HELP.....My couplers won't uncouple!!!!

First off, can you hear them buzz when you try to uncouple, or if you feel them and try to uncouple, can you feel them vibrate?  First step would be to see if they're getting the power.

Thanks Gunrunnerjohn......I'll do the test this afternoon and get back to you.

OK....did the test on both loco's and there is no vibration in either of the non-operating couplers. The good ones that are working vibrate and I can hear the solenoid as well, but it seems the closed ones are "dead ducks".

How do I go about bench testing them without having to go through the rest of the PS programme? I have attached a couple of photos of the loco's and the locked couplers.

It's OK Gunrunnerjohn.....and everyone else can stand down.

When all else fails.....try reading the manual, it has a wealth of information, especially in the "trouble-shooting" section toward the back.

Turns out there is a whole line devoted to numbskulls like me who can only get one coupler to activate. Reason......there is a small "direction" switch on the underside of the loco (concealed by the wheel truck) and, depending on where the direction switch is (front or back) that will be the coupler that gets activated.

Apparently the MTH system does not allow both couplers (front and rear) to operate at the same time...you have to choose which coupler you want to be working. Who would have thought!!!!

It seems I may have inadvertently pushed the switch on the BNSF diesel when replacing it back in its cradle and box, causing the front coupler to be the one "chosen" to operate. I flicked the switch to the rear position and, hey presto, its working as it did the day I packed it up. The same applies to the switch on the Santa Fe diesel.....flick the switch, and the "locked" front coupler came back to life.

I'll go back and hide in my cave now, and continue enjoying my mighty American diesels.

Peter (Buco tragic) 

Ah yes, the manual.

Buco, your a good man for clearing this up. Most would have let it go so we would assume that MTH shipped a defective product. Enjoy. And yes, always read the manual.