TMCC Trainmaster 2341

Well, you didn't post the actual product number, so here we go again guessing what actual model a person really has when asking for technical help................

Help us- so that we can provide you with valid technical advice specific to your exact engine model (product number).

A search at Lionel support. came up with one possible hit https://www.lionelsupport.com/...nmaster-2341-6-18321

What's important and why that would matter is- understanding the wiring and component construction of what exact locomotive you have- because some of these have a "weak point". That is, sure, the rollers might physically be on the rail- but due to using the mainboard as a way to connect front and rear pickups is one way this can fail and burn open a trace like a fuse- meaning one of your pickup rollers is not connected to anything internally electrically.

Again, we look at the parts list for this engine and the mainboard is the type with multiple 2 pin connectors for the main power and chassis common.

What that means is one truck plugs into one socket, the other truck plugs into the other socket and the last one is used to the feed the motor driver board. However, if you derail this style of loco and do not have good fast acting breakers or fuses or other protection it can and will burn up these power traces on the board, effectively disconnecting one of the pickups.

So- check with a meter for continuity between the 2 pickup rollers, and then also check common too (wheels) because going through the frame may not always be a solid connection.

Again, there are many engines like this in this time era that use the motherboard to connect- sometimes at far ends of the circuit board, the power inputs from the trucks. A derailment can place massive current across the board and blow these traces like a fuse. The engine may still run later, but is extremely unreliable due to only one pickup being active.

Edit, this document describes the pinouts on many of these motherboards used specifically in the TMCC series of engines https://ogrforum.com/...nections%20R1.31.pdf

I most definitely have has a repair a number of this style of thin diesel board more than once with some customers who didn't learn the first time.

Again, power entry at one end from one truck, power at the far end from another truck- what could possibly go wrong....................

Also, that pdf motherboard document came from @Rod Stewart in this topic

https://ogrforum.com/topic/85620891482809947

@Vernon Barry posted:

Well, you didn't post the actual product number, so here we go again guessing what actual model a person really has when asking for technical help................

Again, power entry at one end from one truck, power at the far end from another truck- what could possibly go wrong....................

Vernon sorry I didn't provide the proper info but you found it in your search. You're a genius, but I guess you already knew that. I didn't have continuity between the two pickup. When I traced the wiring I found that the wire that attaches to the pickup inside one truck had broken off. I re soldered it and the engine runs perfect.

Thank you for taking the time to address this for me.

@Pup posted:

Vernon sorry I didn't provide the proper info but you found it in your search. You're a genius, but I guess you already knew that. I didn't have continuity between the two pickup. When I traced the wiring I found that the wire that attaches to the pickup inside one truck had broken off. I re soldered it and the engine runs perfect.

Thank you for taking the time to address this for me.

Glad it was simple and not as bad as it could be. Again a simple fix is always a good one.

Thanks again Vernon. I can't believe the problem is fixed. And thank you to @Rod Stewart for the work you put into the motherboard document.