TMCC hudson stops randomly

If the headlight is blinking/sputtering when this happens, then the loco is losing its signal.

If the headlight is steady on, then there are other problems.

Can you disconnect the command base and run the loco in conventional mode?

Another detail I forgot to mention, sometimes the chugging sounds will cut out for a second then continue as it runs, and yes the headlight flickers. I checked my wire connections and they're fine so I'm not sure why the engine isn't getting a good signal.

Try cleaning the track and the contact rollers on your locomotive. Also if it has a wireless tether, make sure the two sections are not out of alignment.

Hi Mat,

What is the Lionel item number?

Does this engine have a Pulmor motor or a can motor ?

Alex

My guess would be a  Antenna problem. (shorting out or disconnected)

I checked the antenna, and it seems to be fine. If it is shorting out, is there anyway I can fix it?

Also, I cleaned the track and pick-up rollers on the engine, but unfortunately, no luck.

just a hunch but are the batteries in your TMCC handheld recent?

Run the engine in conventional. If it doesn't stall, it is a signal issues.  Make sure antenna is not grounding to chassis/shell of engine.  (0 continuity with meter).  It should be read open to ground.

If it does stall in conventional, sounds like a board issue with heat related problem.  G

Do you have overhead tracks, is it a multi level layout? Could also be a ground plane problem where the signal gets mixed from overhead track or some other obstruction.

No overhead tracks, and I replaced one of the batteries in my remote which is a legacy remote by the way, the battery level has 3 bars.

The engine should be configured for Cab1 mode in the legacy remote. TMCC is for cranes and acc.

the antenna is the handrail. The connection passes through on the first stanchion near the smoke stack. Right side, I believe. A plastic insulator sometimes cracks.

Dirty wheels will cause a problem because the Legacy/TMCC signal passes through outside rails.

Are both of your outside rails tied together?

Gears lubed?

Is it always in the same spot on the track?

Legacy base power supply plugged into a properly grounded receptacle?

Easiest test is as GGG says, run it conventional and see if it stops.

As Marty has mentioned numerous times, the product number would help a lot!

The item number is 6-38045

Also, I just tested it with a transformer only, and it seemed to perform better conventionally.

Another weird finding...it actually runs much better with no signal issues in reverse.

if the headlight blinking stops as soon as you put your hand directly over the engine then you have a signal problem. could be the antenna in the engine or just some kind of interference from a near by electrical item. it could also be dirty track or the connection of the TMCC wire.  if it is a signal problem, adding a ground plane near the problem spot will fix the problem. 

Try doing a factory reset. Put your locomotive in Program, then reprogram the number you have assigned and press Set, then press AUX1 and the number 74 for your locomotive.

Also, check the IR Tether to make sure it is lined up. This can cause the sound to cut out. If you only have the problem in one spot on your layout, you need to add a ground plane.

Also, you can run your locomotive in either Cab1 or TMCC mode on the Legacy.

I tried the factory reset, but still no improvement..

That must say something.  That would lead to the wireless tether??

I agree, but I'm not sure what could be wrong because the tether looks to be OK.

I think Lionel engines run without the tender. Just no sound, etc.

I would pursue the antenna/signal possible issues.

The thing that confuses me is that it just started this a day or 2 ago, and for no apparent reason. 

That would seem to be a signal issue. Nothing has changed near or under the layout?

No, everything has stayed the same, no changes at all.

Because the electrical contact, good or bad, is changing when in the different direction.

-------------------------------

The thing that confuses me is that it just started this a day or 2 ago, and for no apparent reason. 

Connection started to come loose, or, insulation is wearing through.

Just a thought,

Dave

If the connection in the tether has come loose, is there anyway I could fix that?

I worked on this same engine with the same problem about a year ago, i thought it was signal issues. After all troubleshooting was done it turned out to be the DCDS Motor driver. Just a thought.

Alex

Isn't the headlight blinking? That says signal issue. Short to boiler somewhere, loose connection inside the engine, or layout issues. Other engines run ok  eliminate the layout issues?

Yes, my other engines run perfectly fine, my only problems lie with this engine.

As far as the headlight goes, its not exactly blinking, if just flickers, but I assume that doesnt make much of a difference

Replace the L2RC in the engine from another engine and see if that fixes it.

L2RC?  This is a 2004 locomotive with modular electronics.

I'm wondering after reading Alex's post about a faulty DCDS Motor driver, could it be a systemic issue?

And is going further and removing the shell beyond the owner's expertise?

Where is the best economical place to send the engine for repair?

A lot of possibilities.  When I get something like this, I typically do the normal stuff of checking connections, antenna, etc.  Then I test the boards individually on my test set to see if there's a failing board. 

I'm personally betting on TMCC signal issues, but I don't always win my bets.

Hi Chuck,

Thanks ! the engine i repaired was acting the same way, it was having trouble running forward but ran in reverse fine. I kept on testing for signal issues and coming up empty.

I always keep test boards handy, so i simply changed out the motor driver and all issues were resolved. What made me decide to go after the motor driver was the issue of it running in reverse fine and having trouble going forward. But like GRJ said it can pretty much anything.

Thanks,

Alex

Yes it is, R2LC.  There is no L2RC modular or not.  Typo.

If removing a basic engine shell is beyond the capability of the owner (required for basic maintenance), I would say it is best to acquaint yourself with the LHS tech.

Modular Lionel are pretty easy.  No harness to deal with, Just pull off the R2LC and swap another on.  The DCDR is also pretty bullet proof and not hard to swap.  Assuming this basic TMCC Hudson doesn't have cruise.  It is a simple device.

The flickering head light makes it sound like a sensitivity issue. Especially since he implied it runs in conventional.  G

I don't believe the flickering...at least not the uniform flickering that is tell tail.

I'm really good at putting the r2lc back on, one pin off. So carefull Matt if you do any substituting with that.

Also if you do sub, it's not a bad idea to have a spare set of the likely boards. It's easier than board level diagnostics or repair, and not all that expensive.