TMCC engine surges & slows???

I've seen this behavior with a bad TMCC signal.  Could the antenna be disconnected in the locomotive?  I just had the same issue with an upgrade where the antenna was not properly insulated.

That sounds like a great place to start John!  I'll remove the shell and check for anything suspicious.  Just hoping nothing is toasted, I really love the engine.

Thanks,

Stack

I have seen this issue with the Odyssey system. does it have the switch for the cruise control or "Odyssey" system?

I would suspect the motor encoder or the motor driver. Also try re-programming this might help.

Bill

I got caught up in world events last night and didn't get a chance to dig further!

Matt- there is only a SND, No SND switch, but now that you mention it, I do recall the cruise control glitch on some engines.  I've been running so much Legacy I've forgotten the TMCC quirks!

Bill- knowing my luck, it is probably one of the components you mentioned.  Would you know a guesstimate of what that might cost to repair?  I'll look at the antenna and try reprogramming this evening and get back.

Thanks again for the help guys!

Stack

Out of curiosity, does the headlight flicker while any of this is occuring?

Negative on the HL flicker Lima.

Thanks,

Stack

Just a couple of thoughts:

I've also had this issue with a couple of TMCC engines and it was cured by turning off Odyssey. Your engine should have a switch if it's Odyssey equipped (on the 2005 Railsounds 5 model if that's what you've got it would be under the front truck where the other switches are) but you can turn it off from the remote by the sequence AUX 1, BRAKE, 7, BRAKE (substitute 9 for 7 to turn it back on) although the next time you power it up the engine will default to Odyssey on.

If the antenna itself or the wire from it to the board is detached you'll get all kinds of erratic behaviour and I have had that problem as well. 

Hi Hancock52,

The engine is Lionel 6-28817 issued in 2002.  I didn't notice an Odyssey switch, only SND - No SND switch on the front truck.  No other truck switches.

Thanks for the information!

Stack

Hmmmm. Well, I better not guess because I just looked at the wiring diagram for this model (on the Lionel product page) and although I can see Run/Program and Smoke on/off switches shown on it there's no Odyssey switch as far as I can see - although the manual posted on the same page says that there is one! Normally I'd assume that the manual is right.

My only other thought before you send this off to the shops is that because you have no light flicker I'd assume there's no TMCC signal problem but that also could be wrong so check the antenna wire.

Hancock52, you are exactly right regarding the truck switches.  My eyes aren't what they used to be and I didn't see the No smk - Smk and Run/Prog switches on the other side of the truck.  There isn't a labeled Odyssey switch, but there is a Snd - No Snd switch.  I'm thinking that is the odyssey switch and the factory may have used old chassis frames without "odyssey" stamps.

However, when I attempted to re-program the engine yesterday I was disappointed to learn with the track powered up the engine lights come on, and that's it.  I'll probably take it to my LHS for service.

I just wanted to echo what has been said so many times in the OGR forums regarding the knowledge base and willingness to help others I've enjoyed over the years.  Thank you all again for your insight and help!

Stack  

I doubt that the SND/NO SND switch is really an Odyssey switch - the wiring diagram is clear that there is no Odyssey switch although I can't think why that would be so. In any case, if you are not getting sound you had better make sure that you have not switched the sounds off at that switch or (if you have tried re-programming) left the RUN/PGM switch in the PGM position and I would also try upping the volume with the remote. I have been caught out lots of times by not putting the switches back in the right position after a diagnosis and repair effort!

I had this symptom on a baby trainmaster that came out about the same time.  They used a magnet attached to the motors flywheel to pace Odyssey.  The magnet was cracked and the flywheel would spin within the magnet making the Odyssey speed control go crazy.  Eventually the magnet broke off and the speed was full all the time.  You can't get the magnet alone  It comes with the motor but you might want to take a look at that

I had a very similar (sounding) problem with an older TMCC engine. I tracked the problem to the speed encoder on the front motor. The motor with encoder was $26 plus shipping from Lionel and took me about an hour to replace/ reassemble...problem solved! Hope yours is that simple.

Thanks for the heads up.  I look forward to spending time with this engine this weekend.  Whomever called it right deserves a case of beer, to bad I won't be able to afford it if it goes to the shop!

Stack

Bluelinec4, you nailed it!  Although the magnet seems to be intact, I can use my finger to easily spin the magnet around the flywheel.  I was thinking to epoxy it in place.  This Reading was a replacement for a B&O GP30.  With the B&O, the magnet fragmented apart, broke out the vent screen detail piece, and a piece of the magnet actually left a welt above my eye!  Since the only other option is to replace is to replace the whole motor, I guess I've nothing to loose trying to epoxy.

Thanks!

Stack

My Lionel TMCC NYC S-1 Box Cab Electric road number 100, surges as it moves too.

It was fine, then one day out of the blue...

Hate to say it, but I think Legacy is so much better than TMCC, yet...PWC TMCC engines cost the same or more than Legacy engines.

I have stopped collecting TMCC after my 2nd TMCC purchase in a row was showing erratic behavior.

On that note, how good are lash ups in TMCC?

You can glue the magnets on if they're not cracked, I've done a couple of them.  Usually, they shatter as you observe when they come loose.

I use CA adhesive to glue them, none have come back.

Not nearly as good as using Legacy, it's hit-or-miss with a lot of TMCC locomotives.

I'll settle for one cold one  LOL  Glad it wasn't anything that serious  As John said if they aren't cracked a dab of CA would solve the problem

I was afraid of that, but not surprised...I think I am going to abandon TMCC entirely and stick with Legacy and DCS.

I just do not like the TMCC performance I am seeing myself and hearing about.

I have no problem with TMCC with ERR cruise added, but I don't try to use them in MU configurations.  As you say, Legacy and PS2-3 work fine in MU configurations.