MTH PS/3 Engine Causing Overload on Z4000

That M1 Mountain is a known problem child with the trailing truck just a hair below the contact points of the wireless drawbar. I was actually at my LHS yesterday and the MTH tech mentioned he had one guy have the trailing truck hit the drawbar, fuse the trailing truck to the drawbar, and blow all electronics. 

 

I would recommend taking a look there first. I had this issue and returned it to my dealer. 

 

My dealer has put new insulators over the drawbar. I would also look into the possibility of cutting the bar going across the trailing truck, the source of the issue, and tossing it in the trash or relocating it to a different spot on the truck that won't contact anything. 

SJC,

I guessing you're referring to the trailing truck of the engine and not the tender. Although they are close they are not touching. I hesitate to cut anything at this point since the locomotive is still under warranty. I've emailed MTH customer service to see what they have to say about the situation. I'm sure it will be a few days before they get back to me.

Thanks,

Dan 

I'm just curious.  If you place just the engine on the track with out tender does the thing still short out. How about just the tender?  If you're not comfortable taking it apart don't.

Greg,

It shorts out/overloads when the locomotive is on the track. The tender alone is fine, no short or overload.

Thanks.

You may have a engine made in China. Read a little about the post Bob1949 wrote up about his 3 MTH locos. He has the same loco and it is cursed like this one with broken or shorts in the system. Check the wiring on the transformer. If not have a MTH Certified technician  take a look at it.

You state it is under warranty. I would call MTH and get a RMA and ship it back for repair.

Just sent an email to MTH Customer Service. Will wait for there response.