MTH's Mels Dinner

This happened to me as well.  I gently nudged the car forward by hand and it has worked fine ever since 

Will try that, Thanks

Tried to move car forward, motor running, grinding sound, pin that moves car locked tight behind building,   ?????

Sorry about that as it worked for me.  Hopefully someone else will chime in with another suggestion 

Chris 

Thanks Chris.

Chatter is not right. If it is like the Fire station there is a large driven segment the vehicle pin fits in which the motor gear rotates forward and then back via limit switches. You may have to disassemble the diner bottom unless someone chimes in with another idea.

. There must be 5o screws in the bottom.  Was hesitant about taking them out.  Afraid I might take the wrong one out and things would fly everywhere. Have the three parts of the building off but haven't  opened up the bottom.  hoping to here from someone that has done it.

Yes there are a lot of screws in this thing but, you can remove them - nothing will fly out.  There are 2 motors; one moves the car and the other moves the waitresses through a rack and pinion setup.  There are limit switches at the end of each rack to stop and reverse the action.  I'd guess that either the car or the waitresses are out of position.

Take pictures so you can get it back together.  Good luck. 

Thanks for the advise.  I have been taking pictures of the wiring.  I guess I'll lay it on its back and take them all out.

Steve, when you take it apart the bottom will lift off - all of the guides are on the top part.  Without distributing it, check the racks to see if that's where the problem is.  Also, there are 2 sizes of screws; the longer ones hold the building pieces on (although it sound like you have them off at ready).

most likely the gears are off and so the entire thing is out of proper timing.

Steve, you may see the gear train in place toward the bottom of MTH Mel's Drive-In Diner page..

That's really helpful, Susan.  I wish I had a picture the first time I open one of these.

Thanks Susan Deats.  Your pictures were very helpful.  Found a contact switch that was bad.  Motors and gears are now working but still no sound.  Any suggestions there?

Steve, I know you were hearing a lot of gear noise but, did you have any music before you opened it?  Check the speaker.  Also look at the 2, 2 wire leads under the speaker - I accidentally swapped them - so no sound.  If neither of those are the problem you will have to check the wiring and solder joints.

No music when I started.  Took Pic before I took any thing apart.  Have it plugged in the same way.Will check speaker wires.

Success ! !   Thanks to all for the great suggestions.  After taking apart and cleaning the contacts in the micro switch ( Don at MTH ) that parks the car behind the diner the grinding gear was solved.

Still no sound.  Checked speaker and speaker wires for continuity, OK.  Double checked wiring and looked for cold solder joints, non found. wiggled a few components.  Reassembled and "walaa"  it worked.  Thanks again, Steve

  That's great, Steve.  Next you will be looking for a way to turn the volume down - it is one of the loudest accessories with the never ending music.  On the other hand, it's cool and visitors love it.