Hi All,
I got new Proto 2000 F7 A and B units for Christmas and were working well. A few weeks ago I started them up (they are sound equipped) and they start up, but about 2 seconds later the sound shuts off and they are unresponsive. Electrical contact isn't the issue, as I have many other loco's running on the layout. I've tried using the magnets that come with the units to reset them both, but still the behavior is the same. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Tim,
My guess is that electrical contact is STILL the problem. Just because other locomotives aren't experiencing the same issue doesn't mean that your F7 isn't running into electrical interruptions.
Question for you: When was the last time you cleaned your track? Your Proto 2000 F7s probably came with a QSI sound decoder. QSI decoders tend to be more sensitive to dirty track than other makes.
Clean your track, clean your locomotive wheels, and clean the wheels on your rolling stock. At least eliminate that out of the equation first before tearing into your locomotive.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
For starters clean the track directly around where the wires feed the layout. Also clean the loco's wheels. Do this by laying a cloth over the tracks and dampening it with rubbing alcolol. Hold the loco over the cloth with one set of wheels on the rails. Run the loco and slide it front to back over the cloth. You'll see lots of black gunk. Switch the loco so the other wheels are on the trackand repeat.
Then run it over the clean section of track only.
Another note: Is the loco DC or DCC? What are you using to power the track?
Springfield PA
My PK2000 E 7 with sound will all so do the same thing when the wheels are dirty.
Have you messed with the F 6 button? I think it is F 6 that shuts down the engine. I know the first time I hit the button by mistake I was freaking out. I thought the decoder let the smoke out.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Hey Ken,
Double-clicking F9 starts shutdown mode; double-clicking F6 wakes it back up again.
All, thank you very much! I cleaned the wheels and track, which never can hurt, :) but still had the same problem. Then it did the double click on the F6 and that worked! Thanks to you all, all of my loco's are running better now on the super clean track and I have the gem of my fleet back up and running.
Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate it!
Tim
Thanks for the update, Tim. That is good news!
One of the pluses to a forum is that it allows folks to "collectively" put their heads together to come up with a solution or idea for something. The shut down/wake up feature didn't even cross my mind. Nice going, Ken!
Glad it was an easy (and inexpensive) fix, Tim. I like when that happens.
Yea, I still remember the time I did it! It may have been you Tom that helped me through that problem. I was freaking out!
Ken