Problem adding PS3 engine to remote

Looks to me like you've covered all the bases.  The only thing I can think of is... hook up the dcs loader and see if it can find the engine and it's id number. If it does make sure that ID is available in the dcs remote. Yep long shot and a bit of a pain.

Thank you. I will try that and see what happens.

https://mthtrains.com/30-20037-1

is a set of turbines?

The year is important as they might need to be opened up and have the wires re-routed.

When they come up in conventional, do they sit and idle?

If you press "start-up" will they accept commands after?

Sorry reversed digits it should be 30-20073-1 (corrected in original post) from 2011.  I can't even get them added to the remote.  They immediately start-up when power is applied to the track.  They sit and idle, I've tried start-up, shut-down, no response.  And when I try to add the engine because they're idling I get "no engine to add" message,  They seem to be missing the watch dog signal.  I can't get them to remain silent and dark when power is applied, they always start-up. 

If you haven't opened the units, do so and check the DCC/DCS switch and ensure that the wires are stilled soldered to the switch.  If one has broken off/come loose, it defaults to DCC.  I have seen this a few times.

Could be one of 4 things:

- DCC/DCS switch, if equipped, is faulty or a lead has broken off.

- 40 pin socket is not fully seated on board.  Two pins on the 40 pin socket closest to the 8 pin connector are the leads for the DCS jumper or switch.

- wires are routed under the 4 capacitors on the board.  If so, lift the caps, pull the wires out, lay the caps flat and route the wires over them.

- the PS3 board can be faulty (rare for a DCS failure).

There are pictures on the forum if you do a search to see how the wire harness needs to be routed.

The 5th item, is that the DCS wires from the switch have a pinch or break between switch and connector.  Have seen this when wires routed under brackets and have been cut by a sharp edge. G

I am having a similar scenario, using Rev L version 4.20 , I have loaded and unloaded many engines in Proto 3, then having just received 3 new Premier 0-8-0 switchers, the 1st one loaded fine, the next two will not, "Engine not found", checked DCS/DCC switch tried both settings, same result. I also tried to load a Amtrak F59 P3 that I had previously loaded some time ago, same will not load. I will open tenders and look for failed wire maybe tonight.

Thanks, RWDeano

RWDeano posted:

I am having a similar scenario, using Rev L version 4.20 , I have loaded and unloaded many engines in Proto 3, then having just received 3 new Premier 0-8-0 switchers, the 1st one loaded fine, the next two will not, "Engine not found", checked DCS/DCC switch tried both settings, same result. I also tried to load a Amtrak F59 P3 that I had previously loaded some time ago, same will not load. I will open tenders and look for failed wire maybe tonight.

Thanks, RWDeano

try placing the second one (0-8-0) on the track alone, and pressing the read button. If an engine shows up press start-up and see if it starts.

I suggest trying to recover the engine: Menu/System/Engine Setup/Recover Engine

This must be attempted using any channel of a TIU that is numbered #1 (one blink of the red LED upon powering up the TIU.) There must be no other engine on the tracks that's drawing power. Further, I suggest doing this using a short section of track that's just long enough to hold the engine.

This and a whole lot more about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Thank you for all the suggestions.  I will start trying them tonight. 

Open the engine and very carefully pull the 40 pin plug from it's socket.  Re instal the plug.  Pins 1 and 2 need good connection to put your engine into DCS mode.  I see this situation several times each month.

RWDeano is correct on the switch.  If that 40 pin plug is not seated properly, you will have what you have.  When the engine is open, after reseating the plug, hit pins 1 and 2 with your continuity meter to ensure continuity. 

Follow up, After reading Barry's book sections on TIU's, Super TIU, deleting  and reinstalling TIU, and renumbering. I went into reset reinstall mode. (note, RevL version 4.20, using for some years P2 & P3 OK) 6 loops, 2 TIU's all Z4K, with remotes,

Intuitive, recent occurrences on layout, Derailments, shorting out tracks, Large articulate  motor stripped out, drive motor spins freely, gears and wheels move freely, yet engine does not move, noticed rubber tires off drivers may have tangled in side rods causing lock up and broken drive.

1) I first opened the new P3 Premier 0-8-0 Tenders, surprise the DCC/DCS switch is there, but not wired at all, I then replugged the 40pin plug, no results

2) Checked TIU list, showed #1 and #2, Checked Mode, turned out TIU #1 was in Super and TIU  #2 was not! I always added new engines on TIU Track #1 previously , this time I was attempting to add on TIU #2 Track 1, thus "no engine to add" or could not find. Changed TIU #2 to Super, same results, tried recover, same results, attempted "Read" moved all engines to "Inactive list" would not find any engines in remote (15-20engines)

3) Checked TIU #"s by unplugging each, replug Aux power, both blinked (1) time ah ha, same ID,(even tho remote showed #1 and #2, Reinstall what should have been #2 to #3, Move #1 to #2, deleted new #2, reinstalled to #1, moved #3 back to #2, Same results "No Active DCS engines" cannot find engines

4) Reset TIU #1, Factory reset, Made sure TIU#1 and #2 ares now set to Super TIU Mode, Powered up Track #1 (on TIU #1) , "No Active DCS Engines"

5) Picked an Inactive Engine on Track #1, Deleted that engine from remote, attempted ADD Engine, MTH Engine, PRESTO ZINGO!!! Engine  FOUND, Start up all normal as should be!! Deleted and reinstalled (Add engine), worked every time on every Track, Placed 0-8-0 on Track, Engine Found!! All is GOOD

Not sure what caused digital glitch to affect TIU, realized may be good idea to check TIU settings occasionally i.e. Super TIU and TIU # , seemed to be combination of layout action/reaction and human error.

Thanks Barry for  DCS Companion!!

Note, TIU Set-up, TIU Trouble shooting, TIU #'s, TIU reset, were there in DCS book, in (4) separate locations, had to do "do diligence " to source and pull together remedies.  Result Success!! 

Thanks again,  RWDeano

Not sure what caused digital glitch to affect TIU

Note that whenever you Factory Reset (not Feature Reset) a TIU, its ID# becomes #1.