TMCC Motorized Unit failure-Need guidance

I'd be looking for something more basic like power wiring to the electronics.  Did you check and make sure power is actually getting to the electronics?

You didn't say so need to ask have you tried anything else on the track your using ( just wondering if it could be something to the track like a wire came loose. ) you say it's all dead so that's why I'm wondering that. 

rtraincollector posted:

You didn't say so need to ask have you tried anything else on the track your using ( just wondering if it could be something to the track like a wire came loose. ) you say it's all dead so that's why I'm wondering that. 

Yes, I ran a couple of other TMCC engines on the track I'm using and they ran fast, straight and normal. 

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'd be looking for something more basic like power wiring to the electronics.  Did you check and make sure power is actually getting to the electronics?

gunrunner,

          As I mentioned I'm somewhat electronics challenged so how do I go about checking to see if I have power going to the electronics?  I have a voltage meter but in performing the check you suggest I'm not sure where I should place the leads.  Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide.

I am also wondering would a TMCC problem prevent this unit from running in conventional?

No power to the electronics or a malfunction therein would affect both conventional and command.  I don't recall exactly what electronics is in those, I'm guessing it's the standard R2LC and the ACDR that's in most of the Lionel AC motored stuff of that vintage.  That being the case, my approach would be to first check power.

Track voltage should be on pins 1/2 and pins 3/4 on the R2LC. 

gunrunner,

          I appreciate your assistance.   I do not get any voltage readings from pins 1,2,3 and 4 on the R2LC board so there is no power reaching the board.  I presume this means one or more of the wires leading to the board has become detached or pinched or is it something more complicated than that like the whole board going bad?    Next step? 

If you're getting now power there, it should be a simple wiring issue.  Even if the boards failed you should still have track power there.

I'd start by first reading resistance from the wheels to pins 3-4 of the R2LC, then from the pickups to pins 1-2 of the R2LC.  My guess is you'll find the center rail rollers will be disconnected.

gunrunner,

          I don't know what kind of readings I should be getting but pins 1 and 2 to the pick up rollers  read 004 while the wheels to pins 3 and 4 read about 005.  I checked the wiring and the hot wire to the pick up roller is not pinched and is firmly soldered to its connection while the the wires to the electro-couplers are also firmly intact.  Are those readings right or is it an indication of little or no continuity?  Another question if there is no continuity between point A and point B does that mean the board is bad?  Sorry you have to give me a primer in electronics 101 but I'm kind of groping in the dark here.  Let me know what you think.

If you're reading continuity as you suggest, I can't imagine you're not getting track voltage on the pins a mentioned on the R2LC.  I'd try that reading again, make sure you're measuring AC voltage.

So that 004 or 005 on the ohms scale?

Or is it 00.4 Ohms? That would be more like a normal reading.

But either way, it doesn't sound right when you do not get any voltage reading on pin 1&2 with reference to the wheels.

What if the roller(s) were not making contact with the track. Measure the ohms between the center rail and the pins 1&2 and measure the ohms from the outside rail(s) to pins 3&4.

Check the basics, is the pickup roller getting power to the red wires in the wire nut?  Some times the wire breaks at the terminal under the heat shrink.  Check chassis ground. wire too.  G

gunrunner,

          Sorry for the delay but I had a little trouble putting things back together again and then it was dinner time.  Anyway, after partial reassembly I am now getting power to the track pins but nothing works, not headlight , no motor hum, no anything.  I have continuity and power to the pins but she's as dead as ever.  Any thoughts or suggestions. 

No offense, but maybe time for a pro to look at this.  My sense is it's something simple, but having the means to test stuff will really speed the process.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

No offense, but maybe time for a pro to look at this.  My sense is it's something simple, but having the means to test stuff will really speed the process.

Gunrunner,

          Certainly no offense taken.  I appreciate your time and the suggestions you offered.  I may try a few other things but I suspect that in the long run you are probably right about having a knowledgeable technician look at it.   I know its only a motorized unit but I like running it so I'll have to find someone to fix it.    

GGG posted:

Check the basics, is the pickup roller getting power to the red wires in the wire nut?  Some times the wire breaks at the terminal under the heat shrink.  Check chassis ground. wire too.  G

GGG,

       Thanks for your reply.  With this particular unit there is no wire nut.  The red wires go directly into a computer board.  I checked both the ground and hot wires throughout their lengths and nothing is kinked or broken.  Any other suggestion(s) you might have would be appreciated. 

I usually take it out of the engine and inspect it for visible signs of damage.  G