Lights outs out on MTH 9000 premier steamer

Lou, I do not have any MTH engines; however, I have a Lionel Big Boy behemoth and had some issues with it.  I had an expert take care of them but other issues showed up later.  I do not have steady hands anymore and need glasses to see small parts.  I was hesitant to take apart the BB but with the help of the forum and many posts, i took the boiler off and am now in minor repair mode.  The fellas on the forum have seen it all.

Rick, thank you for your thoughtful response. I too am having sight issues and I'm not as steady as I once was. That said, I agree with you wholeheartedly, this forum is terrific. I have spent a lot less time researching and experienced far fewer headaches because of all the terrific advice I've received from the many experts on the On-Line Forum. They've also given me confidence to do a lot of my own minor repairs. Best, Lou

Lou, to help with my limitations in working with the locomotives, I have acquired the following:

Foam cradle, Hakko Soldering station, used Haako Soldering Iron tip thermometer, many soldering iron tip sizes, 'Helping Hands' alligator clip station, mini screw drivers, screw driver magnetizer, heat sinks, .5mm and .8mm solder, 20g and 18g copper wire, wire stripper, wire cutter, heat shrink tubing, Porter Cable heat gun, 3 types of tweezers, multi meter (must read True RMS), and most important, the electro mechanical members of the forum.  I began acquiring all this stuff since I got into O gauge in 2014.

Rick, this is a terrific detailed list of tools, and photographs, no less. I've also purchased several tools since getting into o gauge, but not as extensive as your list. I did a lot of HO modeling many years ago, so I still have a few of the tools from that time. What I really like about MTH and Lionel o gauge, is the large size, much easier on the eyes and more fun to watch the big trains roll by. Thank you for your great support. Lou

Maybe relevant. Assuming that you haven't already done this.

A friend's MTH J1e scale Hudson ran and acted just fine - except that the tender marker and backup light did not work. He asked me to tale a look, as I'm always opening and bashing things anyway.

I opened it, traced the wires, found that the plug was loose, pushed it back in, and voila! - lights. You're welcome. After a similar sound experience with his Lionel J3a (loose sound board), they call me the Hudson Whisperer.

But, kidding aside - if you haven't opened it up and just snugged everything down, un-plugged and re-plugged boards/connectors as is reasonably possible - laid hands on it - do that before you do anything else. These are very small electrical currents.

Excellent advise. I tightened everything and every plug, it looks like things are working, at least for now. I'll keep running the engine a bit longer to see if all remains good. Much appreciated. Best, Lou

RickM46 posted:

5mm and 8mm solder, 20g and 18g copper wire...

I use a lot more #24 to #28 wire than the really large stuff.  I don't remember the last time I needed #18 for any locomotive work.

Are you sure that solder is 5mm and 8mm?  That's HUGE stuff, the typical solder for common work of this nature is more like .5mm to .8mm or .020" and .031".  5mm diameter solder would be .2" in diameter, almost 1/4"!  8mm solder would be 1/3" in diameter, they don't use stuff that big for anything I've ever done, including plumbing!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

RickM46 posted:

5mm and 8mm solder, 20g and 18g copper wire...

I use a lot more #24 to #28 wire than the really large stuff.  I don't remember the last time I needed #18 for any locomotive work.

Are you sure that solder is 5mm and 8mm?  That's HUGE stuff, the typical solder for common work of this nature is more like .5mm to .8mm or .020" and .031".  5mm diameter solder would be .2" in diameter, almost 1/4"!  8mm solder would be 1/3" in diameter, they don't use stuff that big for anything I've ever done, including plumbing!

OOOPS, Homer Simpson mistake - I currently have .5mm and .8mm solder - DOH!

I suspected so, but I was just wondering what 8mm solder looked like.  A roll of that would probably take a hand truck to bring home!

Not to mention the 500 pound gorilla I would need to hold the soldering iron - lots of bananas there to keep him happy!!