PS2 - Everything works but won't go - FIXED!

That test only shows the battery charging circuit is good, it doesn't actually check the battery.  You've eliminated many things, I'd change that battery and eliminate one more.

If convenient to remove the shell, follow the two wires from each motor back to the PS2 board and make sure the 5-position connector didn't come loose.

You can manually turn each flywheel to make sure nothing is binding but it sounds like absolutely nothing is happening when commanded to go (no brief lurch or proverbial dimming of the lights or transformer groaning from a stuck mechanism).

Cut track power, (not shut down with remote) and  make sure the sounds continue on for at least 6 or 7 seconds, A dead battery is worse than none at all.

Yes proto-2 will run with out  a battery in command mode.

Assuming that the battery checks out, you should test the motors for continuity after first unplugging the 5 pin plug mentioned above, from the circuit board.

Assuming its a two motored engine, it would be unlikely that both motors are burned out or open at the same time.

If they check out OK, then its likely the driver circuit on the board is shot.

In this case you will likely need to send it to someone who can repair it, or buy a new board.

Rod

I suspect the battery simply needs a good charge.

You mention the Battery is from an engine you gutted a while back.

A NiCAD will self discharge in a month just sitting with no connections.

Plug it into the charger overnight or sit it on a siding and power it on for several hours.

Then try to run it.

Since PS/2 runs fine with no battery, I'd just take it out for a test.  That will solve the issue of the battery for this test.

Fred,

Just make sure the 9 volt battery clip doesn't touch anything by removing it from the board or taping the cap. Otherwise, it may blow the charging system if it grounds out.

Very good point Joe, sorry I didn't mention that!

Yes, it does run for several seconds when I cut power. 

Just took the shell off, and indeed the motor power connector had come unplugged. Go figure. I replaced the battery and all is working now. First PS2 success!

Fred

Fred,

   Glad it was just the connector working loose, have fun with your new engine!

Next time you need a battery, replace it with a BCR.

PCRR/Dave

Fred;

All is well that ends well.

Love those easy fixes.

Rod

 Well since this is fixed we could discuss the BCR suggestion? I did buy a couple. I have a G gauge Challenger that was acting up. It must be close to ten years old if I guessed. I also bought an ext battery charger to try first. After a full nights charge, the engine has performed perfectly since. It would pass the battery test before but would always act up when it sat for a week or more and then got power. It would come up in conventional. Now it's fine for the past month or two.

 I say all this because all of my MTH engines still have their battery. I don't store any engines and some are getting old. So I'm always listening to battery issues with a keen ear. The BCR2s I bought are sitting here waiting for a task. Might be good for guys that don't run much?? Maybe a battery charger is all they need??

Joe, you and me both.  My 4 PS2 engines are all old and have their original batteries.  I don't have any that do not run at some point during the month, so I feel they're keeping a good charge on them.  Now that I've "put it out there", I'll be reporting tomorrow that all 4 have died

I had three PS/2 engines with the old white battery that the battery died in.  One had even started a little leakage.  I have put my BCR clones in them, that should be the end of the issue.

 All my batteries are blue I think. There are some engines that I haven't seen inside all the way.