MTH SD60M with Proto sound 1 . Can dirty track reprogram the loco

Whats the model number of the loco, usually located on the original box, or the cab number? 

Cab # 8710 MTH # 2046LP

Well, Here is a link the MTH  website document that gives instructions on trouble shooting original protosounds. I think you might want to access feature 18 for starters and reset to default settings and see if that helps.

https://mthtrains.com/sites/de...shooting%20chart.pdf

looks like it might be a QSI proto 1 

20-2046-0

if you have bad track problems and the bcr is not charged or will not hold a charge then yes power interruption and scramble  the electronics, but don't understand why siting over night and then works ok. do you leave it powered over night? or you board may have some issues! why  don't you try a nine volt battery temporarily and see if it works over don't leave the 9 volt battery in engine but is ok to test your locomotive!

Alan

I think the reason it works overnight is that it has a chance for capacitors to totally discharge overnight losing the memory of the event. Just a theory.

i have checked the track and found and repaired three feet of MTH track with no power. All is good now except for my opinion of MTH track, so we’ll see what tomorrow brings.

when it runs it’s super smooth so I hesitate. To perform a 13. I hope the track repairs will solve the issues.

thank you all for your. Help.

best regards, Wayne

Those early PS1 have a tendency to do this regardless of dirty track or not. Believe it or not, this is what works.  Power up, and while it making sounds but not moving, lay a screw  driver over all three rails for just a second. For some reason, it will clear the system and the engine will start running correctly.  It works'.  Trying feature 18 will not work, and replacing the BCR will not work either.   Don't Ask me how I know all this.......$$$$$$

Thank you, I’ll check it out.

Any chance the online seller was from Cynthiana KY?

This loco wasn’t, but a MP15 I just purchased was.

Well, let it sit for a day or so, went through the startup and it wouldn’t move. Changed out battery, made no difference.  I guess it will make a good dummy unit.

It's ironic, but your ogr name "Another Fine Mess" describes most issues with electronic engines. 

Yes, that’s true. My 1957 Lionel that I recently bought for twenty bucks runs the best of everything. 

What transformer are you using?  Early MTH do not like chopped wave like CW-80. Like AC like post war transformers.  When started up at first.  After start up, voltage must be less then 10 to come out of reset.  But that sounds like running but no motion could indicate a bad bottom board at the motor diodes.  G

Hi there, using a MTh 100 watt that is new.

i put it on the track and kept the throttle way down, battery switch on, did startup noises, throttled up, noises went up, no movement. With throttle up I pushed and held the horn button and turned the throttle down to stop. 1 ding, throttled up and it took off in reverse. I let it go around and run for about ten minutes with no issues. Stopped it, throttled up again and it took off in reverse. Since forward was not available I ran it in reverse and  did the throttle horn button combo again to unlock it. That worked and it would run in forward and reverse. It ran for about ten minutes in forward and quit not wanting to do more than make starting and motor sounds. I’ll get it solved yet, but it is capable of running it just seem like settings of the software changes constantly. 

Make sure pickups clean and lubricated.  Same with wheels with good AC power wire connections.  Clean track.  Lastly if you have a chip removal tool, you can pull and reseat the chip in the top board.  Maybe some corrosion on the chip leads.  If it stops a direction change does not restart it in motion?  G

I did clean pickups and wheels when I got it, pretty filthy. I had to us a Dremel and a wire brush to clean the pickup rollers and wheels. Rollers were treated to a bit of lube as well as the gearing.

if it stops on its own a direction change will not restart it. It gets to sit for a day or two before it might run again. It’s weird I know, I’ll get a chip tool and try that. It seems more logics related , but I’ll go through the connections again.

Thank you, Wayne