Lost the sounds on my MTH PS2 Y6b

I'd open up the tender and look carefully at the speaker, to make sure the wires to it aren't loose or shorting.  Also, very important, look at the wires that run from the terminals inside the speaker to its coil.  These are bare wires, and may touch the speaker frame.

RJR, thanks for the suggestion. I opened it up and the speaker/wires look fine, nothing touching. I looked around a bit and everything looks fine (of course, I don't really know what to look for) and there is no burnt odor. Could the battery pack cause this problem? I believe this is 3V (two AA type batteries) and I have a 3V BCR that I could try. 

I did have similar systems due to the bare wire brushing the frame.  Also check the plug from the speaker, where it goes into the board, to make sure it's seated.  Also check the wire to the volume control pot.

With loco powered up, jiggle the tender loco harness where it plugs into the loco.

It could also be that the speaker has failed.

I doubt that the battery could be an issue.

Did you try a 'Feature Reset'.  If that does not work wait for a response from GGG.

Bruce, I tried a "factory default reset" which is "1 whistle/ 5 bells". There's nothing in the manual about a "feature reset".

RJR, I'll check the connections but I'm thinking the problem has more to do the timing of my attempt to increase the power to the engine. I know that Lionel warns against not waiting 12-15 seconds before applying power to Railsounds after a shutdown but not sure if the same holds true for PS2. 

I've never heard of such a requirement for PS2.

Before you take any more things apart, find someone with a DCS system and do a command factory reset on it, see if that helps.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Before you take any more things apart, find someone with a DCS system and do a command factory reset on it, see if that helps.

Absolutely.    

Sounds like a plan. I'll check with my LHS and see if they can do it.

if you go to a hobby shop that repairs mth engines they can test your board for you so you will know if it is a board problem or not!

Alan

If the 3 wires are on the volume pot and speaker wires good, you can measure the speaker resistance.  Should be 4 ohms.  It could have failed.  Easy test is to plug in another speaker.  If not speaker, good chance the audio amp failed.  That can be repaired at the component level.   G

Well, not the best of news. I had the service tech at my LHS check it out today and it looks like the processor is dead. He ordered a new board so I guess I'll have to put the "A" on coal hauling duty, at least for now.

Thanks to all for the advice!

Ouch! I'm sorry but I don't believe you need a new board, Everything works except sound.   I would wait a bit for one of the MTH techies here on the forum   to give their opinion.  

Personally, I would have sent it to GGG.   He may be the only person anywhere (including MTH) who is qualified to do component repair on PS2 and 3 boards.  You have already incurred a dollar obligation to LHS, but I'd still do it.  If everything works but sound, I'd be more inclined to think it's the audio amplifier, which he can and has replaced.  I know from experience his charge for that would be far less than you are going to pay the LHS for parts ($150+/-) plus labor.

Note what GGG said above.  His advice should not be lightly ignored.

I agree with RJR I have had dead boards totally dead and don't do anything , but if everything else works would almost bet a bad sound ic, and there not that expensive, plus GGG stocks them and could have turned the board repair around quicker and cheaper then to install a new board or ps 2 or 3 kit upgrade.

just MHO

Alan

GGG is an excellent repair tech and has helped me many times, great guy!

I'll sing with the chorus, if only the audio is out, I'd also opt for replacing the amp.  You also want to check the speaker and wiring, a short to frame will kill the audio amp.

Okay guys, I took your advice and mailed the boards to GGG today. I'm curious to find out which part failed. I'll report back in when I hear something.

Good news! The black diamonds are once again rolling out of Coalville! I received the repaired board from GGG (Thanks George - great job & fast service!) on Thursday, had my local tech install and check everything yesterday, and the Y6 is now operating properly. The culprit was a blown audio amp just as GGG suggested. Thanks to all for your help and advice.

THE AUDIO AMP CHIP MUST OF FAILED HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH PS2 BOARDS. ITS A 9$ PART THAT CAN BE REPLACED OFF THE BOARD

rickoshay posted:

Good news! The black diamonds are once again rolling out of Coalville! I received the repaired board from GGG (Thanks George - great job & fast service!) on Thursday, had my local tech install and check everything yesterday, and the Y6 is now operating properly. The culprit was a blown audio amp just as GGG suggested. Thanks to all for your help and advice.

A heck of a lot cheaper than a new board, however not everyone has GGG's skill at finding the problem   along with fine soldering skills.  If I had been repairing the engine I would have ordered a new board as well. Never send anything to me  for repair .  Thanks for the update.