TIU Randomly Changing Address

What REV is your TIU?  That is a micro chip failure on the TIU.  I had one.  It is not really fixable, because that chip has not been stocked.  You can call MTH if this is a newer TIU and see what can be done.  Ask for Don during service hours after 1PM EST.  I will investigate if this memory chip can be had via other sources.  It is a more complicated repair because of the chip.  G

Justin,

I noticed that when I turned the smoke on for my MTH K4 PS2 the headlight would go out.

This is a known bug in DCS. It's intermittent and varies in frequency from engine to engine. Resetting the remote could not solve the problem and made things somewhat worse.

I then chose to delete the TIU from the remote and add it back in to reset everything.  However, after I deleted the TIU 1 from the remote I was unable to add it back in.  

I've tried: Resetting the remote

This made things considerably worse, since factory resetting the TIU changed its DCS ID# to "1" and resetting the remote made all of your settings disappear.

I noticed that the TIU would change its address on every reset (between 1 and 16).  I've tried reloading the TIU v5.00 firmware, this reset the TIU to address 1 as expected (1 blinking light) but I'm still not able to connect to it via the remote on TIU 1 even with a tether.  After power cycling the TIU it continues to have a random address.

If your TIU still blinks a random number of times at each power-up, it needs to be repaired. When this problem is a one-time deal, reloading the TIU's software will typically correct it (been there, done that), however, if the issue persists the TIU is defective.

I suggest that you start from scratch, with the TIU tethered to the remote (temporarily), with a fully-chrged battery in the engine, and with fresh batteries in the remote. You've made the situation almost impossible to troubleshoot for its root cause by doing all of things that you've done. You need to go back to square one and take a systematic approach to analyzing the problem.

At the risk of sounding self-serving, I also suggest that you obtain a copy of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition and read it. This could potentially assist you in resolving issues in the future.

GGG posted:

What REV is your TIU?  That is a micro chip failure on the TIU.  I had one.  It is not really fixable, because that chip has not been stocked.  You can call MTH if this is a newer TIU and see what can be done.  Ask for Don during service hours after 1PM EST.  I will investigate if this memory chip can be had via other sources.  It is a more complicated repair because of the chip.  G

Thanks G.  The TIU doesn't have a revision number and has Protosound 2 on the top so I'm going to say it's a revision G.  I got off work late today but plan on contacting MTH to see what can be done, thanks for offering up Don as a good contact!

Justin

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Justin,

I noticed that when I turned the smoke on for my MTH K4 PS2 the headlight would go out.

This is a known bug in DCS. It's intermittent and varies in frequency from engine to engine. Resetting the remote could not solve the problem and made things somewhat worse.

I then chose to delete the TIU from the remote and add it back in to reset everything.  However, after I deleted the TIU 1 from the remote I was unable to add it back in.  

I've tried: Resetting the remote

This made things considerably worse, since factory resetting the TIU changed its DCS ID# to "1" and resetting the remote made all of your settings disappear.

I noticed that the TIU would change its address on every reset (between 1 and 16).  I've tried reloading the TIU v5.00 firmware, this reset the TIU to address 1 as expected (1 blinking light) but I'm still not able to connect to it via the remote on TIU 1 even with a tether.  After power cycling the TIU it continues to have a random address.

If your TIU still blinks a random number of times at each power-up, it needs to be repaired. When this problem is a one-time deal, reloading the TIU's software will typically correct it (been there, done that), however, if the issue persists the TIU is defective.

I suggest that you start from scratch, with the TIU tethered to the remote (temporarily), with a fully-chrged battery in the engine, and with fresh batteries in the remote. You've made the situation almost impossible to troubleshoot for its root cause by doing all of things that you've done. You need to go back to square one and take a systematic approach to analyzing the problem.

At the risk of sounding self-serving, I also suggest that you obtain a copy of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition and read it. This could potentially assist you in resolving issues in the future.

Barry,

Thank you for the reply.  I've been attempting to troubleshoot the problem ith just the TIU, remote and my PC but will move to the bench and grab some new batteries.  Will keep posting when I get to some conclusion, hopefully that won't include buying a replacement TIU.

Also, I've ordered the DCS companion from the OGR store, I've been meaning to do it for a while now but designing and building the layout had taken priority

Justin

Given a G (TIU), I would recommend a new one. "G"

My copy of DCS companion 3rd edition arrived a few weeks ago and I've just now gotten around to going through the troubleshooting steps.  Unfortunately the remote is still not able to communicate with the TIU.  Additionally, I'm unable to effectively communicate with the TIU from a PC to upgrade the remote (cycles between "Searching for TIU" and "Unlocking TIU" but never gets there.  Tried power cycling a few times with no luck.  I am able to flash the TIU with v5.00 with no problems.

I'm traveling past Pats Trains (http://patstrains.com) on my way to visit family and will be stopping in to see if he can diagnose my TIU/remote.

Justin

Made the visit to Patrick's Trains and he determined that the TIU was dead as suspected.  He tested it with his remote and only power connected.  I ended up buying a new TIU...version L this time around

He also mentioned that since I'm using a Z750 transformer for power that it may have contributed to it's demise.  Since I was going to purchase a second transformer anyway I ended up grabbing a Z1000 as well and am using that as my track power supply.

Anyone need a TIU for parts or a book end?

Justin

Justin,

He also mentioned that since I'm using a Z750 transformer for power that it may have contributed to it's demise. 

Not all that likely, however, a good way to sell a Z1000.

Justin,  I wound up finding an available Memory chip source and actually repaired a Rev G TIU with your symptoms.  So your TIU can be repaired if you need a backup.   G. 

Justin, I would like to buy it if you just want to be rid of it, I need it for the case.  OTOH A backup is never a bad idea. GGG can probably get you going for not too much. My email is in my profile.

@GGG posted:

Justin,  I wound up finding an available Memory chip source and actually repaired a Rev G TIU with your symptoms.  So your TIU can be repaired if you need a backup.   G.

I have old Rev G with the same blinking light symptoms. If you still able to give the information for the memory chip, Id like to to attempt to fix it. Id really like to use it until the new WTIU arrives! Thanks

Mike

Are you really equipped to change a fine pitch large SMT chip?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Are you really equipped to change a fine pitch large SMT chip?

Am I equipped? Yes. Have I done it before on such a small component? No. But, the TIU is dead anyway and has been for years so not losing anything. I figure it's a good chance to learn a new skill. However, I can't find a compatible 16MB chip so may never happen!

It's not a small component, but it's a component with about 100 pins on all four sides!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It's not a small component, but it's a component with about 100 pins on all four sides!

It may as well be 8 inches wide. The pins are extremely small.

@LT1Poncho posted:

It may as well be 8 inches wide. The pins are extremely small.

My point exactly!  This is not a chip I'd attempt without an IR oven, I think it's too big for most hot air tools.

I would drop an email to @GGG ...he can perform a top-notch repair and have you up-and-running quickly.

Many YouTube vids of using a hot air station for removal of these chips. Everybody has to start somewhere.

I'd recommend starting on a lot smaller chips, but that's just me.

The replacement memory chip for the Rev G & H TIU's is: M29F160FB5AN6F2.

Available at both Mouser and DigiKey. Under $5.