Proto Sound 1 help

are u using the mth z4000 transformer? these engines sometimes will not go out of reset with certain transformers!

also you must start the engine at 10 volts or less or it will no move! it should say ding ding  2 times and you'll have the engine startup on power up but MUST BE less then 10 volts or less!!

 after you hear the 2 dings and wait for engine sounds to complete, then you can hit  the direction button and should run ok. you must have fully charged battery or they will not move!

I'm just using at MTH Z750 controller. The GP9 just goes right from adding track power. 

I would try a different transformer some transformer will not work with  the early QSI boards in the ps1 engines!  you had access to a mth z4000 that  will work for sure it was designed to run the ps1 engines! also as I had said before the engine will not come out of reset if you voltage is to high on startup need to be under ten volts! do you get the 2 ding ding  and the  you should hear the engine sounds starting up when you power it up! 

Were these locomotives working properly in your layout before you installed the new batteries? And I assume you charged the new batteries before trying to run the engine.

Just a suggestion, but instead of regular 9-volt batteries, you might want to go with a BCR (Battery Component Replacement). I use them in every loco that will take them and they work great:

https://www.jandwelectronics.com/bcr

To answer several questions:

1. I've been running these locomotives on my MTH-750 and Z-1000 transformers for several years, and done resets with them, so I don't think that's the issue. And unfortunately, no access to a Z-4000. 

2. The SD-9 and GP-9 were both functioning properly before changing batteries, but the reason for the change is they were both giving all the signs of needing changed (and I knew they hadn't been changed for a few years). The SW-8 has been acting strangely for a while with the sounds out but has been running fine up until last week when it started just throwing itself into reverse on its own.  

3. I replaced with the 8.4 rechargable batteries and made sure they were charged before installing. 

4. I am aware of BCR's and have a few locomotives with them. That was/is the eventual plan, just hadn't got there yet and since I had the rechargables, figured we'd go with those for now. 

Thanks for the assistance guys.

That’s what I thought. I figured the advice was heading in the wrong direction by focusing on the power source or procedural steps that aren’t the issue.

So the first step is to examine the wiring around the area where you changed the battery. The firm tug required to disengage the old battery may have damaged a soldered connection or unseated a control board.

As for the SW8, more information is needed. The sound cutout could be a speaker failure and the sudden reversing could be a power interruption problem tied to an intermittent contact, two separate issues. Or they may be tied to one flaw. No way to tell for certain by the description.

There are some more expert helpers on this forum who might be able to take it further from here.

ps 1 engines had a common issue that the harness 4 conductor between the engine n tender in the steam engines I would check the wire harness you might find cold solder joints which can cause many problems. then power down and see if the engines sounds don't die immediately when pressing direction button , if sounds drop immediately you might have a battery charging problem. you might try reset 18 procedure! I suggest you test sounds should last for approximately 5  to 7 seconds! you can also temporally change to regular 9 volt battery and see if engines run correctly as a test ok. do not leave the regular 9 volt battery in just as a test ok!

Alan