TIU won't load new PS3 engine

Number 3 is not good.  I would guess a engine problem rather than a software glitch with version 5..... Give  the thing a nudge or turn it around facing the opposite direction.

here is a serial to usb cable for updating sound files to MTh p s 2 or P S 3 engines.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361192...e=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT 

cost $14.99 free shipping and is 6 foot long!

Alan

Alan

I think it's #7 causing a possible issue.  I had the same issue as #3 after software update. But never an issue with Dcs 4.x. And my RK was delivered to dealers 8/15 so probably same hardware. I have had to cycle the power a couple of times to stop the unexpected start up. Than able to add engine. And than all seems better. Add and remove power a couple of times with short break between connection. Once added it picks up the watch dog signal.

But this is only my opinion. And I'm sure there are many who disagree.  

Let us know what you come up with. 

Interesting idea.  I tried recycling the power three times with no luck.  I'll try again later.   I won't try the upgrade until I talk to someone from MTH.   I hope I won't have to send it back, but it's useless at this point.  Thanks for the support guys, I'll keep you posted.

Jerry

Are you using 5.0 now ? Or just thinking it needs to be updated to make a connection with engine? If you are using 4.x than my suggestion is void. As I have only experienced the issue with 5.0. 

I had an issue loading the Sound Files on a PS2 Diesel, kept timing out. I deleted the sound file and tried to add it 3 or 4 times.   I was using the 4.3 version - not sure it that makes a difference or not.  I thought the track was dirty so I cleaned it but the loading of the files stalled - 

I took it to an authorized MTH dealer - no luck. so I took it home and left it alone for 3/ 4 days - more due to frustration. I tried to di the install again and it worked - Voo Doo magic.

If that did not work my next step was to call MTH and get an RMA.

I think a lot of the problem centers on being able to get a connector to sit properly on TIU - I purchased a new cable recently as I plan to upgrade my TIU and Remote this week, 

The first thing to do is try it conventionally.  Does it start up and run in conventional?  G

Thanks so much.  Yes.  Put in on only conventional track on my big layout.  ZW power.  Took awhile to light, but have lights, engine sound, directional and conventional speed control.  No horn, of course.  That was fun...Put it back on the DCS track, which is a completely separate layout that runs my other three MTH engines perfectly.  TIU says no engine found, but this time it did not power up by itself.

Also, I have not upgraded to 5.0, but MTH says that's basically for wi-fi app.

Seems like engine electronics.  Early on, I got two engine error messages when trying to add, but not through all the other recommended attempts.  What does engine error mean?  Should I send it back?

Jerry

Jerry,

but MTH says that's basically for wi-fi app.

DCS 5.0 also corrects a wicked DCS 4.30 bug that under Super TIU mode (only) randomly, on approx. 1 of 8 TIUs, removes DCS control from a random TIU channel, leaving only a watchdog signal.

Thanks Barry.  

For whatever reason, your reply just came through.  I found an older post on the same problem.  The guys recommended first trying to reset the engine in conventional mode, then reset the dcs remote and add the problem engine first.  It worked for those guys but not me. Still got engine not found.  Took it off the track and put another on.  It added it right away.

This doesn't look good...

Jerry

Jerry,

Took it off the track and put another on.  It added it right away.

If the track where it added was on the same TIU channel as the track where it wouldn't add, the issue most likely is either in the layout or the engine, rather than the TIU. In this case, the engine may have an issue (internal wiring or blackened screw heads) that is affecting its ability to receive DCS commands, or there may be an issue in the layout wiring.

If the track was on a different TIU channel, there could be an issue with the first track's channel's DCS signal generator.

A next step would be to connect each TIU channel in turn to  a short section of track and attempt to add the engine in each instance. This would compare the TIU channels too each other as regards their individual signal strength and indicate if one was significantly different from the others. Just remember while testing that the TIU must always have power for itself via either Fixed Channel #1 Input or the Aux. Power port.

TIU says no engine found, but this time it did not power up by itself.

 This could be a good thing... Try the recover engine feature under engine set up.. I believe it has to tiu #1 (maybe fixed 1 as well)

Gregg,

He's past the error message and was able to add it.

He's now down to determining why it didn't add on one track but did on the other.

Oh good!

Nope.  Perhaps I was unclear.  Another engine was tried (both on fixed 1) and that one added like always, not the problem engine (UP GP 20).  Tried a new completely isolated piece of track.  The UP fired up right away, a bad thing, and still got no engine detected.  Tried recover engine, but I believe it had to be added in the first place.  

The guys in Brooklyn will probably swap this one out for me, but we all want someone at MTH to call me back.  Left messages yesterday and today.  Service opens at noon, but no one picked up all day yesterday (on hold for 20 minutes per) and I called three times.  Also did the email thing for service this AM.

Fortunately, I have a new TIU coming for my big layout which is all conventional.  I will swap it out for the overhead layout and see what happens.  If it works, then the problem is my current TIU, which seems unlikely since it runs everything else perfectly.

I want to change the conventional to DCS, but Legacy may be less twitchy and a better option.  Not sure at all, but I guess I'll be spending a lot of time with the trains in the next several days.

More ideas and advice are always welcome.  

Jerry

Jerry,

OK, I misunderstood.

Tried recover engine, but I believe it had to be added in the first place. 

No, the engine actually does not have to be in the remote to do a Recover Engine.  Regardless, your engine's symptoms indicate that a Recover Engine is not the solution.

I have a new TIU coming for my big layout which is all conventional.  I will swap it out for the overhead layout and see what happens.  

A new TIU doesn't appear to be the answer, either. The problem is almost certainly the engine.

Well, the latest is that Meredith from MTH picked up my call.  She took me through everything on her list.  Predictably, you guys had already suggested the stuff I hadn't tried so she really couldn't help with it.  She agreed that there was nothing left to do but send it back.  Very sad.

Trainworld is great to deal with and they will even send me a shipping label with the intention of swapping this one out.  The time until the new one gets here is wasted time, but informed sources say this is not unusual with all the electronics.  I am 2 for 4.  That is, of my four MTH engines, I've had to return two of them for replacement.  They are sure great when they work.

Thanks guys.  You remain the best...

Jerry

I have the same problem with a new never used ES44 Christmas engine, I can not add it to the Remote,  tried 3 remotes no luck, tried 4 TIU no luck. tried to call  MTH no luck there,  well I certainly am not buying any lottery tickets today. Looks like I need to double up on the stomach meds.  

Jerry,

I never heard the phone ring while I was there.....

But I can tell you this. The Tech. puts my engine on the track, adds power and it's off to the races. Shuts it down, quickly. Hmm. tries again and same, now what looks like, brings power in slowly and not very much, I'm not a conventional guy, only DCS with bricks, so that's what I see. Gets it to start and headlight on and than goes thru a bunch of button pushing and gets it to reset by the conventional bell and horn button sequence. Than it seems to work properly.

Asked as to why, it did this, not real sure but was locked in forward and the newer boards use both the sound file and chain files with each having some bits of each other and if something is missed by either upon power up  issues appear and the new/newer board (3.0) is more prone to it.  Than something about if you did a reset it could cause this. Lots of this or that and not a real clear cut it was caused by this.

And to be fair, and my disclaimer and no bashing, I propably am not saying it exactly as he explained it and parapharising  for ease of posting....but I think he will go back and act on what he saw and compare notes with others, which he did say as to the other issue I'm having also. They do have a kazillion SKU's and this might be something that has slipped thru the crack. Am I happy about it, should it happen, no. Am I happy with the service I received today, will I buy more product most definitely, as he took the time to make it right and also do another repair while I was there. A perk of being in the area

Dennis

Hmmm What's up  with proto-3 engines? I don't believe this is the first? I understand that polarity to the track is not an issue with proto 3, I'm  guessing you have the red out from the tiu to center rail??  This is  not good.

Yeah, and I used three different tracks, even one three foot long, completely separate track.  All I know is a lot of people had a lot of ideas that have worked before with other engines, but didn't with this one.  The MTH techs have been very good to me with the problems I've had with two of their engines, but both had to be sent back for replacement.  They know our OGR guys know what they're doing.  I'm confident that no one missed a step or that I tried anything that messed up the board.

I agree with Dennis and will buy more MTH engines, but it sure is a hassle when they don't work.  Fortunately, there are so many of us into trains you can always find the help you need...