MTH DCS Explorer no more power to track

Last night I had the idea to remove and reinstall the app.
This made it work again.
I'm not impressed by the product and even when it works, it's buggy ...
For example lighted cars seem to effect it. It will not add an engine unless you remove lighted cars from the track first. Also, when operating with lighted cars, it will not start up most times. It gives an error message,the work around is to add speed and it starts moving and the sounds turn on. Works OK after that. It also gives error when shutting down but it does shut down. Sometimes the PFA goes thru the sequence with only two button pushes instead of three.

I'm using latest firmware and the latest app on my ipad.
Powered by Z1000 brick.

I was having issues with my Explorer even with the latest updates.  I tried it on a loop of track directly connected to the track and everything worked fine.  I then reinstalled the Explorer to my layout and connected the unit to my track using jumper wires.  It worked.  This led to checking my wiring.  I eliminated some splices and kept the wires as short as possible.  Everything works great now.

using 16ga wire 4ft long...

I agree that it's finicky, buggy, and generally just a pain in the ___.  I bought it for a very simple reason: to run my Christmas layout.  It's adequate at best for that.  Curious to me that MTH makes this the controller for their starter sets.  It's simple but not robust.

Double check that the red terminal wire on the Explorer is going to the center rail.  

Side Rod 🚂

I noticed that the track power only comes on when you search for an engine or choose one ... helpful to know this. The red light also turns to purple instead of just red (track light led).

Also using this on my Christmas layout to run one tinplate LCT 256 engine and three 700 series passenger cars.