PS1 & 3 Clanks Problem

It is a software conflict between the processor on the board and what is stored in memory EEPROM, but also can indicate a Prom chip to processor conflict.  It can occur on any engine with a weak battery, but it doesn't seem to be as prevalent on engines after 1997.  G

It means or has to due with you try to operate the engine before the battery reaches it's operating voltage , so when the microprocessor starts the execution instructions the voltage being to low for the processor to operate correctly and write a bad instruction set to the memory and causes the issue's of nothing working but you hear three clank's when you power up,. it is due to trying to operate the engine with not enough power from the battery as it is dying to quickly. that's why you should ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALWAYS , charge or replace a bad battery BEFORE YOU TRY TO RUN YOUR ENGINE AFTER A LONG STORAGE TIME FRAME!

otherwise you most likely will have the same issue and it can only be corrected with a special ps1 chip set designed to reset the microprocessor and then reinstall the original program chip for the engine. 

Alan

Don get rid of the white battery and put a BCR in. If you replace the battery you may not have a problem with 3 clanks when get back out of storage. If has 3 clanks just needs reset most likely. But not sure if that engine is subject the reset or not. Somebody else may chime in be able tell you.  

chessie1971 posted:

Don get rid of the white battery and put a BCR in. If you replace the battery you may not have a problem with 3 clanks when get back out of storage. If has 3 clanks just needs reset most likely. But not sure if that engine is subject the reset or not. Somebody else may chime in be able tell you.  

REPLACE THE WHITE BATTERY!

Use a new charged battery or BCR. But definitely REPLACE the WHITE BATTERY. Batteries don't last forever and the "whites" are mostly out of date or way past their usefulness. This observation is based on first hand experience and not theory.

doc

I really want to thank you guys!!  It all makes sense to me now, and I WILL get the "White Out".  Most likely put in a BCR!

Thanks again for your help.

Don

Good day to all. I have been away for quite sometime. Recently retired and pulled my trains out of storage. Before I put them in storage years ago I had a Santa Fe blue goose Hudson locomotive that had the three clanks issue but did not have time to check into the problem. I see there has been a resolution but not sure where to obtain the parts to fix my math stuff. Any direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all. John