Phil, you have to give the loco model.  No one knows if you have an upgraded PS2, early PS3, or late PS3.   Some PS3s do come on with both light and sound when power applied to track. 

OK; I'll find it & report back.  I bought it in Feb, 2013, if that helps.

If it comes on at power up before pushing "startup", it is probably  starting in conventional, either missing the watchdog signal or there isn't one. Make sure you have the TIU and DCS on line.

phil gresho posted:

 

3. Finally, it won't even start or run in conventional.            

  

Well? I would only say that it needs to go to a tech to see if there's even power at the boards. Is there any amp draw when it's on the rails? Do you have a hand held meter to check for power at the board?

Two questions. Are you using auxiliary power for the TIU? If you have a Z500/750/1000 it is as simple as just plugging it in.

Do you have any other PS2 or 3 locomotives? If you do it's easy enough to isolate the problem to either the engine or TIU.

Never hurts to put fresh batteries in the remote.

I don't think you guys are reading this problem correctly, or maybe it's me?

If the engine doesn't run, why worry about signal?

Is the engine doing anything in conventional?

I have seen engines that had been run with DCS that wouldn't do squat when you try to run conventional. I have also had engines that just stopped working until I did a feature reset.

Gilly@N&W posted:

I have seen engines that had been run with DCS that wouldn't do squat when you try to run conventional. I have also had engines that just stopped working until I did a feature reset.

Yes, I agree. I just don't understand the OP statement about it comes on at power up, yet doesn't start in conventional. I can only guess that it has gotten worse, or I misunderstand the statements?

 I have seen many reasons. I had an engine that the factory did not seat the motor connector properly and was a simple fix. I had engines come from the factory that were scrambled and stuck in reverse or neutral. The way I'm reading this is the problem is a power issue? No power now to the board or the board is broke?

 Again, it's from the statements that seem to conflict each other?

Check the DCS/DCC switch.  Check the 2 rail, 3 Rail switch if it has one.  Being early, can be that the wire harness needs to be rerouted over the super caps.  Also since you have a lot of lionel and others too.  Test on a separate track to ensure something not killing DCS signal for the PS-3.  G

OK; I'm back with more data & some replies to earlier comments:

1.  Model # 20-20248-1

2.  Other PS2 & PS3 engines start & run fine.

3.  Batteries in remote are fresh.

4.  Yes; the problem has gotten worse.

5.  Switches are set to 3R & DCS.

Sounds like you have a sick chooch… Were it mine, I'd stop now while everything else is still running. Scott and I (and likely others) have threads going about TIU failures. 

Just for giggles, check to see if your TIU getting hot???

OK,.... so....what does it do now  when you apply power only (no DCS signal) ?

Surprise!  Mostly good news today, but far from perfect.  It started & ran fine....mostly.  The problem now is RELIABILITY:  It often ignores commands.  If I shut down, which can take several tries, then it may or may not re-start.  But when it does start, it mostly runs fine....I forgot to try conventional;  tomorrow I'll do that.

I had this same problem at one time with a PS3 loco. Sent it to MTH, was the Wiring harness rerouted over the supercaps, as GGG stated above. Very sporadic operation before but perfect after the service work.  You could do the wiring rerouted yourself. 

Jeff78rr posted:

I had this same problem at one time with a PS3 loco. Sent it to MTH, was the Wiring harness rerouted over the supercaps, as GGG stated above. Very sporadic operation before but perfect after the service work.  You could do the wiring rerouted yourself. 

PS3 board wire rerouting and board check

https://ogrforum.com/...ce-needed-with-photo

willygee posted:

Jeff78rr posted:

I had this same problem at one time with a PS3 loco. Sent it to MTH, was the Wiring harness rerouted over the supercaps, as GGG stated above. Very sporadic operation before but perfect after the service work.  You could do the wiring rerouted yourself. 

PS3 board wire rerouting and board check

 

https://ogrforum.com/...ce-needed-with-photo

this post should be a "sticky" so others see it for sure. (maybe it is?)