Z-4000 Repair Question

I'm pretty sure all transformers must go back to MTH.

romiller

MTH Service centers are allowed to work on transformers, however some may not feel comfortable doing so.

I've fixed several for customers - mainly loose handles, zero point adjustment on handles & noisy fans.

Jim

"Almost a year to get it back".......HOLY COW...that is terrible.  I can see why you are looking for an alternative. 

Alan

Hi Alan

I'm seriously thinking of posting the Z-4000 in the bay telling the problems so the buyer can send it back to Mikey for repair and investing in a Lionel ZW-L when it becomes available if it currently isn't. When I called and told them it was a reacuring problem all I was told was sorry about that which is a poor answer after waiting almost a year and paying $80.00 plus shipping both ways. 

Is it still under warranty?   It sounds like it might not be.

Have your tried to go up the food chain at MTH?  I understand your frustration.  If I might suggest an option, I would prepare a short bullet point of the facts, in chronological order, mail it by USPS to a named, seniior person - not just a general 'customer service', and not Mike, but someone else.  Keep it to 1 page.  Again, stick to facts - what happened, what you did, what they did, etc.  Keep the dollar figures out of the discussion - they know how much you paid as they have records; no need to repeat it.  Ultimately explain that you'd like the unit repaired and if it can not be repaired is there some other alternative since the unit - based on your description - is having the same issues it did before the fixed it the first time.  They will probably ask where you have it plugged in (like into a surge protector), they may want some info that I can't think of and they may want some time to discuss.  I would note the serial #/manufacturing date.  You may find that they now realize there is an issue with a run of these from that time?  I speculate on that, but just say that for illustration.  Most folks that have Z-4000 like them and so a defective unit is a-typical.  Good luck.

 Thanks John

I'll try that and I really like my Z-4K as well but very unhappy about the repair. It's about 10 years old and I can understand things going wrong but the repair should not

To clarify my earlier suggestion:  I would just send a letter to start with, not the transformer - wait to see when and how they respond. 

Ping me by e-mail as you go through this as I can give you some other constructive ideas.  The point is to get to a common ground.  Will they fix it gratis?  I doubt it.  But I suspect they would not be happy to know someone at the company said (or implied) - "oh well".  By the way, I would not use that latter term in your description (the bullet pointed fact sheet I mentioned earlier) of what the response back was - I'd just characterize it as 'you were told that they were not sure what happened' and then state whether they told you it wasfixed.

And not to diparage any other brand that is out there or in the process of being brought to market (cough, cough), but keep in mind that if you run MTH then this is the best transformer to have (experience from others here, don't take my very rookie opinion).  Supposedly it plays well with other brands (again, from others here who are more expereienced) and when issues arise it is the least problematic.  Of course that is hollow sounding since you have one that will not work.

Keep an open mind as you go through this.  You may decide to get another brand (new), another Z-4000 (new or used), or build your own solar powered unit (ha!).  If you go into this saying or thinking 'I want this or that', and MTH comes up with some other option and it's not the ones you are dead set on, then it becomes frustrating. 

Yes, this process will take more time, effort and perhaps shipping costs.  I can't imagine it is a totally deceased unit since Lionel has some that are 1 million years old that still work.  OK, I know they are made differently, Amercan workers, etc. etc., but the technology that is in the Z-4000 should allow these things to run for years - flawlessly.

Perhaps someone else who is on the forum, is an authorized MTH repair person, or is a retired MTH repair person, could give you some direction on what train shop might be able to also do the repair.  But at 6 million pounds in weight, the shipping gets expensive.  I suggest FedEx Ground or USPS Parcel post if/when you ahve to ship.  Just pack it very well.

Let us know what happens, Gene.

Regards.

On the lifetime warranty - since the old "Lionel" that made the transformer went bankrupt and the new "Lionel" is a differntly organized/charterd company, probably not.  On a good will/good gesture basis, perhaps.  But the old Lionel technically went out of business and ceased to exist.  The new Lionel is a newly chartered and different company.  I may stand corrected on this, but as you point out a different thread.  Good luck.