MTH diesel "stuck" in neutral - can't get it out - advice please?

Did you do a system reset......It's in the instruction book. Try that

I have the same problem,,,confused like you are,just sits and looks nice

At what voltage are you trying to get the engine to move? Try 12 volts then hit the direction button. I seem to have the same issues with the BCR.

Thanks for the 3 replies - I went back out and tried it - I'm "confused" by the instructions in the book for doing a "system reset" - the book says start out with 10 volts - I have but that is not quite enough to "energize" the BCR - tried with 12 volts as Jinis suggested and it doesn't seem to help - tried it with starting out with my "normal" 15 volts and it energizes the BCR - 2 bells as per normal - engine sounds - then no movement - still "stuck"  in neutral. 

I have an out of town friend who has a Z-4000 and so he is going to try messing with it for me - thanks for your suggestions.  My friend suggested the chip may be scrambled, but with a BCR in it it shouldn't ever scramble the chip and the engine has been running fine for years up until now. 

Thanks again for all your suggestions. 

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Have the engine on raise the power to 15 volts hold down on the whistle button have it blowing turn off the power let off the whistle button and turn power right back on that should do it , it might take you a few times and all so make sure the BCR is charged first .

Guy

Thanks Guy for the tip - tried it "multiple" times and no go - engine still stuck in neutral - (by the way, when you say "hold down on the whistle button and have it blowing..." the whistle (in this case horn) does not sound - but I did hold down on the button. I think I remember the only time "normally"  the horn or bell works is when the engine is moving.)

BCR is no guarantee of not scrambling.  First, power up for 45 seconds and than turn power off. Does it play shutdown sounds?  If not, BCR is bad, or battery terminal/wire is bad, disconnected.

If sounds play, try manually moving through reset positions.  Turn Voltage up high, and back down to 10V and up.  If it stops after one ding, and you can not get it past reset position 1, the board most likely has an ID conflict.  It can be reset by a knowledgeable tech with correct chips.   I can do this.  G

Rick, have you changed to a newer transformer since the last time you ran the engine? Some of the older Proto 1 engines will act like this with newer transformers.

Thanks for your two posts - Dave, no I haven't changed transformers - running the engine with the same one I have used for years.  GGG - thanks for your tip - I will try it later on

today when I have a chance.  I'll post back on here how it turns out -

appreciate very much all the replies I've received!

GGG - I tried  your two suggestions.  Power up for 45 seconds then power off.  It seems normal =- two bell dings when I first power it up and engine idleing sounds - then I shut it down and it seemed normal - 1 bell ding and sounds faded off as per usual.  So I would guess the BCR is ok. 2nd suggestion:  Trying moving through reset positions.  Tried this - first time got airbrake whoosh and 1 clink (or clank) - but can't get "past" that first position. 

As per your diagnosis, my board may have an ID conflict.  At any rate, a friend of mine has a Z-4000 transformer - he is going to mess with it and we'll see what happens.  I can't find my "chart" of bells and clinks and clanks for each position.  If my friend and I mess with it - exactly "what" position are we trying to get to unlock it out of neutral?  I know it's a lot easier with a Z-4000 than trying to do it manually with counting clinks and clanks, etc.  But have never done this with a Z-4000.  At any rate, thanks for your tips - what is your e-mail or phone # please in case I need to ship this engine to you?  Thanks---

E-mail is in my profile.  But if you can't move out of rest 1, board is locked and needs reset with special chip.  G

Dump the BCR and try with a fresh battery.

Thanks Marty for that tip -

marty that happened to me also,,,nice fresh bcr,,,,,was a dud,that never happened b4 ,replaced it now runs like a top,terry 

i just went through exactly the same issue with whistle and bell and brake sounds and lights working but no motion. Replaced the BCR.  that did  the trick and now running well.  

Conventional operation with PS/1 or DCS REQUIRES a good battery.  With those symptoms, that's the first thing to check.