PM 1225 Won't Reverse

on many locos there is a switch that makes it stay in the last used position. Don

Is it running under Legacy control, i.e. speed from the remote, whistle, bell, etc working when you trigger them?

Have you tried re-programming it using the instructions from the user's manual?  Perhaps a reset will help?

John,

It is under legacy control.  The quilling works on the whistle.  All other functions seem to work (speed, chat, whistle, bell, coupler, brake, boost, smoke, etc.). I did not try a reset or reprogramming (yet).

This is the one with the two tenders (PE and PM).  I still get a bit confused as to whether I am programming the ENGINE or the TENDER (or both) with this beast.  As I was typing this, I got the idea that I should try the other tender to see if that one works.  I'll hunt up my PM1225/PE manuals and try the reset.  I probably won't be able to do anything until this evening but I appreciate your help very much and will post the results when I have them.

Thanks for helping, Don.  The last time I used this engine was several weeks ago and I am pretty sure the reverse worked then.  I'm not aware of such a switch but I'll double check.

Check the Velocity Throttle Direction Control setting V.T.D.C. on the remote. I recall having a similar problem and somehow I inadvertantly activated this feature.

If its on  the loco will be able to be reversed by turning the throttle knob counter clockwise.

The switch only locks out direction when you use it in conventional mode.  It is the program/run switch.

Thanks, Rick!  I'll Check that too.

Someone suggested testing to see if it would reverse when in conventional mode and that if it does, it needs a feature reset.  If it won't reverse in conventional, does anyone know what that indicates?

I didn't mention the program switch as the previous comment is correct, it's only for conventional mode.

Given the symptoms, I'd do the reset sequence first.

The feature reset takes a couple of minutes, I'd simply try that first.

If reset does not work and it won't reverse in conventional. I would suspect the motor driver board is defective. Fwd and rev. are separate circuits on the board.

Neil

Ok, the engine will reverse in conventional.  I'm trying to help him reset it.   Been looking at the diagram of the Cab 2 from the online Legacy Manual and I see  it has all the same buttons to do a reset that the Cab 1 has.  deep breath...   So...  do you just follow the same steps with the Cab 2 to reset, or does the  Cab 2 have to be in Cab 1 mode first?  Since I don't have a Legacy system yet,  I'm grasping for straws here.  Am I on the right path??
Thanks guys

Update:

After several tries and only having a little time here and there:

I have been trying to use my TMCC base and CAB-1 to do the reset.  Initially, I couldn't get the PM to respond so I checked the batteries in the CAB-1.  The Duracells were a bit fuzzy so I took them out, cleaned the contacts and replaced with fresh and non-fuzzy Duracells.  I was still having trouble getting the PM1225 to respond so I put my Ann Arbor GP-35 (AA-387) on the track.  At first I had the same problem.  I could not get it to reverse in command mode (using TMCC).  I finally got AA-387 reset and working in command mode last night.  That tells me my TMCC base and CAB-1 are working and I can go back and use them on the PM1225.  Hopefully, I will have time tonight when I get home.

I want to let all of you know that I do appreciate the help and I didn't mean to leave you hanging.  Hopefully, I can resolve everything tonight and report back.

Have you tried putting the loco in reverse with the tmcc remote?

 If it reverses with the old cab 1 then the problem is likely the muti-function button for reverse on the legacy remote.

There have been a few complaints regarding the button sticking or not working.

No.  Good call.  I didn't have a chance to do anything yet tonight but I will try that. 

On one of my breaks today I got a chance to read through the Legacy manual some more.  I can see where I might have locked it in forward but it also should have responded when I set absolute direction reverse.  Since I didn't realize what I was doing with that button, I will have to hook the Legacy back up and mess with that too.

OK.  I was finally able to finish testing things tonight.  Here is what I found:

• I forgot to test reverse with the CAB-1 and tried the reset sequence with the TMCC base and CAB-1 with only the engine on the track.  I hooked Legacy back up and put engine in RUN and hooked up a tender.  It did not seem to have any effect.
• I put TMCC back on and used the engine with the PE tender.  This time I was able to hear the reset sounds because the tender was there.  It might have worked before but I don't know.
• I put the engine back in run mode and tried to run it with TMCC and the CAB-1.  It went in forward and changed direction the way it was supposed to.
• I powered everything down and hooked Legacy back up.  I could not get it to reverse with the CAB-2.  Although the direction button didn't seem to be "stuck" and boost and brake seem to work normally, I cannot get a direction change.

At this point, I am thinking there is something wrong with the CAB-2.  I am also thinking this would be an excellent time to get the charging circuit repaired.  Any thoughts or any further testing that I should do?  Any suggestions about returning it to Lionel?

I appreciate everyone's help and patience.

Does the CAB2 reverse any other locomotive?

Eric

Are you bringing your 1225 and cab 2 to my house today?  We can try to trouble shoot it with my CAB2, plus seeing two 1225's double heading would be cool  

@Jim:  I blew it.  I was in a hurry this morning and just brought my AA-387.  I should have brought the Legacy stuff.

@John: I thought I tested this but now I'm not sure I did it again with the diesel after I reset it.  I am 95% sure that there was never anything "wrong" with the AA-387 and that problems I was having running it TMCC were because I wasn't doing it right.  After resetting it, it ran fine on TMCC forward and reverse just like the 1225.  I will test it again when I get it home.  It will be a guest on another railroad in a few hours.  :-)

I do have a second legacy engine (diesel) packed away.  I was going to leave it boxed up but it might be worth testing with it.  I'm going to try the AA-387 again just to make sure though.  If it reverses under Legacy then it would be a problem with the 1225 (although it reverses when controlled by the TMCC base and CAB-1)  The legacy diesel would tend to confirm that.

I always like to be sure which item has the problem when I'm troubleshooting, hence the question about verifying if it's the CAB2 or the locomotive.

@John:

I finally have some time to do some more testing but doesn't the fact that the 1225 does everything but quill the whistle when run from the TMCC base and CAB-1 indicate the problem is with the CAB-2?

Maybe, but it would be very useful information to know if the CAB2 is capable of operating another locomotive normally.  That's a pretty simple test, and would be worthwhile data.

True.  I only have two Legacy engines though.  I did test with a TMCC one and didn't get it to reverse.  I'll be sure to do this test tonight when I get home.

Just curious as to what method you are using to get it into reverse?  The direction button?  The Velocity Throttle?  These are a couple of methods. Also on the direction button, if you push down and pull back at the same time it sets any loco regardless of it's current direction to reverse.  Push down and nudge forward and it will change to the forward direction.

Marty,

With Legacy, I tried both pushing the direction button and pushing down/pulling back.  Neither one seemed to work.  Someone suggested earlier that I might have set it in a mode where I could change the direction by turning the red knob counter clockwise.  That didn't work either.

It's certainly possible it's just broken.   The object of the exercise it to be sure so you can address the failing component.

Are you getting a "beep" when you push the direction button?  I've had instances where I didin't press the direction button hard enough, yielding no "beep" and no direction change.

I do not recall hearing a "beep" but I am absolutely certain the button was depressed all the way.  What component is supposed to elit the "beep"?  Engine?  CAB-2?

When the legacy handheld is turned on, all buttons and icons  make a "beep" when they are pressed, even if the base is off or no loco is addressed.

If the direction button does not "beep" it could indicate it is not working correctly, just a thought.

Of course, if other keys are beeping, that one should too, right?