Loss of DCS Signal?

I would contact Marty FitzHenry or GGG, they are the one that will help you with the issues you mentioned! or they will suggest to send the engine back to MTH.

talk with them first!

Alan

If a loco is under warranty, I would call MTH and talk to tech support.  They will either solve the problem or send a return order.  I would not play around with any LHS.

Yes, it is very possible when there's an electrical issue, for an engine to revert to conventional mode. It can be as simple as a broken or shorting pick-up wire. I got a used engine that would short on curves only and was missing an insulator inside the truck. I had most others, with broken or rubbing wires at the trucks or on the frame hole, where they go thru.

 I would think that if the second engine in the lash-up wasn't performing correctly for whatever reason, it would effect the lash-up.

 To exactly why the signal would suffer, would be several guesses on my part. I would first get that engine fixed (#8593). When an engine doesn't respond to commands, all bets are off with the remote, IMHO.

 It's pretty easy as you know what engine is giving you the grief! It's much tougher, when I had several engines acting up at once. You just need to be methodical in the trouble shooting, like you are.

For the offending engine, I would remove shell, and make sure wire bundle is pushed away from the signal transformer.  Donut looking device with wires wrapped around it. You will find it near the 8 pin connector.  After clearing that test engine and see if DCS signal is back to 10.  Put shell back on carefully, making sure not to pinch any wires.  G

Thanks for the replies.

I have already contacted MTH about this via email. I inquired about an RA# should it need to be serviced. I didn't contact tech support however. I was exchanging emails about missing parts with Midge Wilburn a few weeks ago and passed along this info regarding this engine. I think she was out of the office for a little while but I asked her if she could forward the email to tech support once she gets back.

I'll have time Friday to give them a call and get their input.

I will check out the wire bundle once I receive my grill cover (next week?). I figure since the shell will be coming off I might as well install the grill cover once it arrives.

Sometimes it runs fine. Other times it throttles up and won't take any commands. I have already had to press the Emergency Stop key once to stop the engine. I think I had to reset the TIU and the remote afterwards though.

I got my grill vents for my 2 SD50s (20-20424-1) today and finally checked out the one engine that is having issues with the DCS signal. I spoke with Jeff at MTH tech support a few weeks ago and he said to check the routing of the wires near the capacitors. He said they should be routed above them. One set was not so I fixed that.

The signal transformer was clear of any wires. I also checked that.

When I ran the engine this evening on its own it ran fine, DCS signal of 10. I only operated it for 10 minutes. No big deal since I got 10s before. I would also get readings as low as 1 if I ran the locomotive longer or next operating session. It was wildly inconsistent.

So, I decided to MU with my other SD50, the one with no issues. Upon powering up the track, I got a "Check Track" message. The 2nd engine (cab #8593 - the one with the spotty signal) shut down when I pressed the "Shut Down" key. The 1st engine (cab #8570) didn't take the command and I had to shut off the power supply. This isn't the first time this has occurred as previously stated in this thread.

I think the "bad" engine is degrading the signal of the "good" engine because cab #8570 ran just fine on its own after I split them up. I know that cab #8593 ran fine on its own for 10 minutes but it's just a matter of time before the signal will cut out and the locomotive will want to take off at full speed.

I'm going to contact MTH tech support this week but I think this engine will need serviced.

If you check signal on the good loco, and then leaving signal check on, place bad loco on the powered track, either carefully or by placing it on a separate toggled block, does the signal strength drop?

Thanks for the reply.

I'm going to wait before I attempt to place an engine on a track that's already powered up. No toggled blocks either on my setup.

I did just get off the phone with tech support with MTH and they said to reseat the 40-pin connector and in particular, look at the pins closest to the 8-pin connector side. Apparently, these pins are responsible for the DCC/DCS signal.

I did and I'm currently running the locomotive. Signal strength is currently at 10.

If this doesn't remedy the issue tech support said it is most likely a board issue and will have to be serviced by MTH or an authorized tech, of which I know a few are regular members here.

I'm going to see what happens the rest of the week running this engine on its own and in a lash-up with my other SD50.

After speaking with tech support for a 2nd time last Monday I was told by the tech to pull the 40-pin connector and pay close attention to the pins closest to the 8-pin pinout on the board. Apparently these pins closest to the power supply are responsible for receiving the digital signal. He said to make sure that none of them were bent so that a good fit could be made once the connector was reseated.

Well, after running this engine extensively over the last week with my other SD50 it seems as if the problem has been solved. I get perfect 10 signals and none of the issues that I experienced in the past with this locomotive exist now.

It sure beats having to send it back for a board replacement, even if it is still under warranty.

Thanks to everyone who replied and offered their advice. Most especially, thanks to MTH. I know they get a bad rap but I got my parts from the parts department and tech support saved me the headache of having to pack up this engine and send it off to get fixed. Maybe their parts department isn't as efficient as others would like but the bottom line is they got it right.

I find that Midge, who sells the parts is very efficient and quick to respond.  But I suspect she is not the person charged with acquiring parts for stock.

Midge, Diana and Debbie were all very helpful in getting my parts for my locomotives.

Tech support was, too, in helping me troubleshoot my engine.

Overall, a very good experience and reaffirms my confidence in MTH whenever I buy my next locomotive.