Update:
Placed the M1b tender behind my Legacy GS4. Everything worked as they should. Startup button woke up the sound, crew talk, blow down, water fill effect, whistle and bell, etc, etc, etc.There is no difference with either the GS4 tender or this new (used) Pennsy M1b when operated behind my GS4 as they are identical with respect to all sound effects and tender light controls.
So I know the tender, which houses the sound system and the lights for the tender, is fully functioning.
Placed the GS4 tender behind the M1b, no sound at all. HOWEVER, I think that when I got the M1b several months ago, the GS4 tender responded the same as the Pennsy tender does, that is: chuffing sound, bell, whistle and some sound effects - but no crew talk. Can not say for sure, so don't hold me to that.
So here is what the Pennsy tender does and does not do when connected to the Pennsy engine:
1. Start up button does not activate the sound system. Even pushing any buttons, whistle or bell. No sound.
2. When the engine starts to move, the sound system comes up. Chuffing, whistle, blow down, water fill effect, lights on the tender, and coupler on the tender operate.
3. What does not work - when attached to the Pennsy engine - crew talk and the bell gives only a single ring - can not get it to ring continuously.
So the 3 issues are: No start up until the engine moves. No crew talk. No continuous bell ringing. But remember, these functions worked flawlessly when the tender is attached to my GS4.
Could there be an issue with the IR connections between the engine and tender? Do I just bite the bullet and live with it the way it is, or is there something else I should be looking at? I have the boiler removed from the frame and can not see any loose wires.
The engine runs flawlessly. Very smooth, quiet and exactly like it was factory new.
Ray