I just started running my 2018 Electroliner PS3 for the first time 2 weekends ago. One of the cars was shorted out and I took the set in for service. When i returned it to my tracks it ran great for about 15 minutes. However, when I turned it on later that evening one engine would not work. I isolated that engine and reset it based on the instructions. Still no luck. It starts up normally, all the lights and sounds work normally, but then when I put it in forward it moves about 1 foot and then stops in a sluggish way. In reverse it does the same thing. Any suggestions or ideas here of what is going on? My dealer told me that even though I've never run it, MTH might not cover it under warranty because it's 1 1/2 years old. I paid the small fee to fix the short (it was a wire). I'm concerned an engine redo might be way more costly. I'm using a Z4000 transformer.
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how much current does it draw on power up and what does it draw when you start engine moving. there might be bindings causing it to be sluggish which would cause higher current ! another important thing is what is your engine item number?
Alan
Thanks for responding. The set is 20-20754-1. I'm not sure how to measure the current the engine is drawing. Can I tell that by looking at the digital meter on the Z4000? Or do I use a multimeter?
yes you can one meter show voltage and the other meter shows current. the voltage meter should read 18 volts or whatever you have set the track voltage at the other meter will show current like .2 amps before you start engine and up around 1 amp when start running! are u sure your track is clean n roller pickups are clean n lubricated!
Alan
send me your cell phone number and ill call you and discuss your problem ok!
Alan
Upon start up, the engine draws .4 to .8 amps and also about the same in neutral. This morning it backed up about 8 feet and stopped again, as the lights dimmed and the wheels froze up -- and the amps were at 4.7. I've oiled the wheels 2 weeks ago but did not grease the gears. I have not tried cleaning the track but I just ran a brand new MTH Illinois Central SD40-2 Friday night and it runs beautifully. I will send you my cell once this is posted. Again, thanks for the help.
Mike
Sounds like a short either because motor is binding, or a AC short from the truck. G
Thanks for your reply!
@Alan Mancus posted:send me your cell phone number and ill call you and discuss your problem ok!
Alan
Alan,
Thank you for calling me a while back. You were very helpful. I was going to send my Electroliner to you but I took your advice and decided to contact my hobby shop who "fixed" it and ought to guarantee their work as you said. They got the repair done, It turned out a gear had bad metal and needed to be replaced. But then I had a light that was out after I picked it up. I soldered that myself. I have your contact info and I like that you are a VERY good service tech. It's nice to know you.
Mike