New PS3 Northern 4-8-4 - Rapid Acceleration Problem!

My new RailKing PS3 Northern has not exhibited that particular anomaly, but it is one of the few problems it hasn't.  Does not keep me from thinking I got a "lemon".  One problem I have is the drawbar connector at the tender keeps losing contact and mine just stops dead.  Have you checked connectors at both ends?  (Just a shot in the dark here.) Mine derails when going into O-31 curves and I suspect mine came with the wrong length drawbar. (too long).     Also hear an intermittent squeaking that sounds like a bad bearing noise coming from the loco when running.  And my bell fell off.  I will now watch for exuberant acceleration.

I have the Reading version of this MTH Imperial Northern engine..these have a few quirks for sure..I found the the drawbar to be too tight so I took off the shell and loosened the screw for the drawbar a quarter of a turn so the drawbar would have more flexibility for twisting & turning..also the 2 very small screws underneath the bar were very loose..I then put some white grease on the drawbar between the top of the bar and the tender to aid in the side to side motion..now it doesn't stop dead anymore..also check the acceleration rate in the menu..mine was set for 120smph so it to took off also..I set it to 2smph..mine has a faint squeak on rt hand turns,  sometimes..don't know what thats all about..also the tender marker lights will not light up..looks like these all have QC issuses..

How's the  spacing between the timimg tape a reader?? Go for the  factory reset and yes usually a tack reader problem.

One more interesting detail:

When I put it on track  the first time and applied power, it "surged" a few inches, then stopped.  Almost like it was in DC mode, even though the switch was set correctly on the tender.   I was afraid it was going to take off at that point, but again, after a few inches, it stopped, so I searched for it and set it up at that point.  

I don't recall this ever happening with any of my other PS2 or PS3 engines (just recently set up a PS3 F-3).   Just seemed odd; not sure if its related. 

I tried the factory reset last night and didn't see a change in behavior.   My max speed was set to 120 SMPH but the acceleration rate is set to 1. 

I have noticed that sometimes the the caps will not charge up in time to see the watchdog signal.  That might be your surge problem.

The 0 to 100 mph is the tach reader.  Some of the PS3 problems are cured by simply re seating the wire harness to the board.  The tach reader is a 3 wire setup.  Maybe a wire is off or the reader is too far from the flywheel.

Dave

This can also be a continuity problem via the drawbar.  Since this is a new engine I would turn for warranty work either at your LHS or MTH.  G

I got it form Jason's, so I'll call them tomorrow.  I'm guessing they'll take good care of me - their rep here is pretty solid 

Gotta say I'm pretty disappointed with MTH in general.  The last five things I've purchased from them this year have ALL been faulty.  One was a used Premier Mikado that had the flickering light issue since new (original owner never ran it so didn't know), second was the PS3 F-3 ABA that has the DCS signal issue, third was a set of Premier Santa Fe Madison cars with a failed/shorted car out of the box, fourth was a Railking Allegheny with a warped chassis, and now this Santa Fe Northern.  

Not cool 

Here's to hoping Jason's takes good care of me...