Went to run my PS2 K4 and lost chuff sound, smoke puff, and speed control. Wants to run off the track at 1 SMPH. Have lights, sound, whistle, & bell. Optic sensor bad or something else? Thanks for any responses.
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Classic symptoms. Probably not the optic sensor chip itself. More likely an issue with the flywheel striping, alignment of flywheel stripes to the sensor board, or broken wire going to the sensor board. Very likely you can effect a DIY repair if you are comfortable removing the engine shell to expose the flywheel and sensor board.
What is model number? PS2, but 5-volt or 3-volt?
3 volt
Stan is probably right. Also be sure that the plug from the sensor hasn't been jostled loose in its socket and gap is correct.
From upgrade manual: "The gap between the optical sensor and flywheel should be 0.5mm
(0.022”)-1.5mm (0.060”); 0.75mm (.030”) is optimum"
Most likely the tach reader or as some call it the optical sensor is bad. When the train takes off at a high speed that indicates the tach reader, which reads the stripes on the flywheel tape, has failed to communicate with the sound board which controls the motor(s), sound and smoke. MTH ASC 961364
There is the tach reader and associated wiring and stripe, and also there is an op-amp on the power board for 3V PS/2 that is a frequent issue for these symptoms.
Replaced the tach reader and everything is fine again. Thanks for all the responses.
