My Lionel KCS AA F3 has a issue with the sound. When starting from power on the sound is fine horn, bell, diesel sounds work. When moving the sounds cut out no horn, bell or diesel rev sounds. They are replaced by what I can only describe as static. When I stop the engine the sounds come back on about 20% of the time. I tried reseating the boards and resetting the engine but that did not solve the problem. Any suggestions on what is causing the problem and how I could repair it?
Thanks,
Dave
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I'd try rotating the physical volume control back and forth through it's full range of travel a half-dozen times. A "dirty pot" can sometimes be made better by this trick. Not positive this will fix it, but it is so easy to do I figured it is worth a try.
A shot of contact cleaner in the pot may help as well.
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll work on it this weekend and let you know if it works.
dave
One other suggestion. If all of that fails, there is one more fix that is cured a number of these kinds of issues for me. Using a PLCC extraction tool, pop out the two RailSounds chips and reseat them into their sockets. The pins oxidize and develop poor connections to the socket contacts, simply moving them up and down fixes it in most cases. I also have dripped a little Deoxit-D5 on them as I reseat them when I think of it.
A caution here. Do NOT try to take them out without the tool! Prying on them with a screwdriver or other tool will very likely break the PLCC socket and then you will need a new board.
I would also check the hall effect switch since it happens when it starts to move. Is this the 6-14500.
Bill
John, thanks for the suggestion about the chips. I don't have a chip puller in my tool kit so I will have to get one if that is they way to sole the problem
Bill, Yes it is 6-14500. Is the Hall effect switch activated by the cam that is on the axle on one of the trucks? Is there an a adjustment?
Again in thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I will be working on the engine tomorrow.
Dave
There's no real adjustment to the hall effect sensor, but checking the wiring and connector is a good idea, they're pretty fine wires.
John, thanks for the suggestion about the chips. I don't have a chip puller in my tool kit so I will have to get one if that is they way to sole the problem
Bill, Yes it is 6-14500. Is the Hall effect switch activated by the cam that is on the axle on one of the trucks? Is there an a adjustment?
Again in thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I will be working on the engine tomorrow.
Dave
No adjustment, the cam is actually a magnet. Check to see if there is any debris on the switch. If not, the switch could be bad or the wiring. Did you try reprogramming.
Bill
Bill, I did reprogram the engine. I reseated the boards and reprogramed the engine as my first attempt to fix the problem. I will check out the switch today.
Dave
Problem Solved!! I discovered that the wire bundle that connects the Hall Effects sensor and electro coupler was rubbing against the frame. There was too much wire under the truck and it nicked the insulation causing a short. I pulled the bundle up though the frame and taped the wire. Tested it and it sounds great.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Dave
Bill comes through again, pretty soon we're going to start believing him! 
I believe in Bill. He has been a great resource for me. Thanks Bill.
I believe in Bill. He has been a great resource for me. Thanks Bill.
That was a joke, I think Bill is a great resource.
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