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MTH engine stuck in neutral

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  • Member since
    August 2010
  • 13 posts
MTH engine stuck in neutral
Posted by mrmet6986 on Sunday, April 22, 2012 1:52 PM

I have an MTH gas turbine set (30-2009LP) with a DCRU electronic reverse by QSI. When I first put it on the track it ran perfectly and cycled thru forward-neutral-reverse with no problems. Then I tried to program the squeaking break sounds in neutral by holding down the whistle button and then releasing after 3 seconds. I know I did go past the recommended 8 volts or less and am not 100% sure I was in neutral and not RESET mode. But now the engine is locked in neutral.
The instructions to reset the to factory settings requires me to enter RESET mode and get to feature 18 which is the process of cycling the throttle from full to 8-10 volts 18 times. But it will not let me past feature 1. I put in a fully charged 9 volt battery to see if this resolved the issue but it made no difference.
Does anyone know how I can get out of neutral without accessing the RESET features or how to get get to feature 18? Any ideas on what I could be doing wrong?
Is there a physical reset button on the circuit board itself?

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Posted by phillyreading on Sunday, April 22, 2012 2:05 PM
Unfortunately you are left with only one of two options; the first is to use an MTH Z-4000(this transformer will take you to feature 18 with no hassle) or the second is to take it to an MTH authorized repair shop. Also you 'must use a rechargeable 9 volt battery' and not an alkaline 9 volt.
Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
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Posted by mrmet6986 on Sunday, April 22, 2012 2:24 PM

I am using the 9 volt battery only temporarily as instructed in the manual. But my transformer is the Railking Z1000. Is the problem my transformer?

 

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  • From: Sandy Eggo
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Posted by dougdagrump on Sunday, April 22, 2012 2:34 PM

Normally the Z-1000 is not the issue, the problem with doing programs with one is having to jockey the the throttle to achieve the "reset" position you want. If you know somebody who has a Z-4000, and they will let you try re-setting  your engine, they have a Programing feature that is much easier to use and much more accurate than counting throttle movements and listening to different clanks/clinks.

p.s. What is your general area, there may be someone on the forum that may be able to help you out.

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Posted by RRaddict on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 11:27 AM

I don't know if you ever resolved this but I resolved my problem.  I had an extra Proto 1 chip laying around so I changed it out and it ran great.  MTH told me I had to replace the top board and chip but that is not true.  It is just the chip, you can get another chip from MTH for about 38.00.  You can use anyone you like just find a similiar lcomotive made in 2000 or later and you will be good to go.  I had a chip from a small F-3 Chessy System and it works great the horn and bell are not great but it's better than being stuck in nuetral.  I had another RK locomotive where it was stuck in nuetral too and I was able to do the same thing and the strange part is that I used the chip in another RK and it worked.  I am guessing that certain chips and boards are not compatible.  Just remember to use a IC extractor tool as I almost broke the socked removing mine.

Can't stop working on the railroad!

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  • From: Austin, TX
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Posted by lionelsoni on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 12:38 PM

I fixed mine by putting a Lionel electromechanical e-unit into it.  Haven't had any trouble since.

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    August 2010
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RESOLVED:MTH engine stuck in neutral
Posted by mrmet6986 on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 9:39 AM

First I would like the sincerely THANK everyone for their valuable input!

I was finally able to resolve the issue using the information gathered from a number of you.

I did try to purchase the "reset chip" set made by MTH because I could get it quicker then the replacement chip but it did not correct the problem. It took me quite a while to get thru to the MTH service department but I was finally able to purchase the replacement chip plus the programming of the chip for my engine. The part numbers you guys supplied were right on target. I would not have known to order the programming of the chip if it were not for you guys!

Installed the chip and now the engine runs beautifully and cycles thru F-N-R flawlessly.

I am in awe of the wealth of information on this forum but even more so the class of people that contribute. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

 

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