Technical Gurus - Help Please

If I'm understanding you correctly, you have the switch in the Program position now, right?

If so, that means it will only run in one direction conventionally.  To get the loco to change directions as you cycle the transformer throttle on and off (like a conventional only loco does ) the switch needs to be in the Run position.   This is normal for TMCC locos.

If you have a postwar ZW, then the whistle rectifier may need to be replaced, based on the stopping issue when to try to activate the whistle.  Does the whistle control do the same thing on other conventional only locomotives?

Place the switch to Run !   

Place engine on track .  put 8 to 10 volt to the track .   The Tmcc board should know you are going to run  by Transformer .   try the direction button .

Should the person have put the switch in backwards .  the engine should stay still ,  turn off power off & push the switch to program . The turn on power.  Just keep the Voltage low while you figure things out . 

Good Luck, Keep us posted .

@SteveH posted:

If I'm understanding you correctly, you have the switch in the Program position now, right?

If so, that means it will only run in one direction conventionally.  To get the loco to change directions as you cycle the transformer throttle on and off (like a conventional only loco does ) the switch needs to be in the Run position.   This is normal for TMCC locos.

If you have a postwar ZW, then the whistle rectifier may need to be replaced, based on the stopping issue when to try to activate the whistle.  Does the whistle control do the same thing on other conventional only locomotives?

I can't run in Command Mode.  I have a Pot War ZW that works fine with all my other engines. I  can only run conventionally.

@Ponz posted:

I can't run in Command Mode.  I have a Pot War ZW that works fine with all my other engines. I  can only run conventionally.

Your not going to HURT the engine.  Just put it in Run which means it will work Forward/Neutral/Reverse in conventional mode which is what your after.

Just try it.

Jim

This is the danger purchasing a "converted" engine; it's like a box of chocolates you pick one and you never know what you got. Because you never know HOW it was converted.

Did they use TMCC boards from an existing engine? Did they use TMCC boards that were purchased from Lionel or from one of the other board makers? Again, like a box of chocolates!

So when you ask Forumites what you should do, we have no idea what's in that piece of candy.

The engine behaves this exact same way in either Run or Program:

She'll move forward with first pull on the throttle  - Then go to neutral, then with 3rd or subsequent pulls and that's it!  It stay in neutral and just keeps making the sound of brakes released. No further forward of reverse. I have to wait a few minutes to get it to move forward again

I'm waiting to hear back from the forum member that sold it to me.

Sounds like it has some kind of electrical issue.  It's certainly not running properly.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Sounds like it has some kind of electrical issue.  It's certainly not running properly.

John

If I don't hear back from the seller within a reasonable amount of time, say 24 hours, I'll assume I'm eating it.  Especially since I paid PayPal family and friends.  The for sale listing has been deleted.

Are you in a position to look at it for me, if I'm stuck with it?

Well folks - I've tried every which way to no avail.  I'll be returning the engine.

Ponz