how to unplug jumper board?

[galaxy]

Hi guys

I have an Athearn GP35 DCC quick plug equipped loco model number 94209.

The first question WAS gonna be "how do I get the shell off". There are 4 screws in the fuel tank which the exploded diagram shows as motor mounts. and two screws, one in each coupler box. No other screws on the exploded diagram or the bottom of the loco. (Could the two coupler screws also be holding on the shell?????? Really????? ANd it looks like they have to be removed for the shell to come off anyway. Also did NOT want to take out the motor mount screws and have a shell-on loose motor rattling around in it). Looking at the diagram I noticed the dynamic braking cover was a separate shell part. I THOUGHT maybe it just pops on/off. I wiggled it and one side was loose, so I wiggled more, and popped (broke evenly at the seam actually) the cover off. I can reglue later.

ANd THERE lo, and behold was easy access to the jumper boad. TA DA!

NOW, the Question is HOW do I get the jumper board off the 9pin plug????? It doesn't seem to come loose easily by pulling (and after breaking the shell off I dont want to break anything more). There doesn't seem to be any little clips or anything. What am I missing? Or do I just use brute strength and *yank* (and pray)?

Thanks in advance to your answers. This is the VERY beginning of my foray into the *exciting* world of DCC.

-G

 

 

[richg1998]

Here is a link from searching this Forums archives.

http://cs.trains.com/forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=526362

Rich 

[cacole]

Some of those Athearn jumper boards fit so tightly that they practically require dynamite to loosen them.

Well, not quite that bad, but you get the idea.  Try using a very small slotted jeweler's screwdriver tip inserted and twisted in each edge of the plug and some careful prying to get it started, then work from side to side until it comes out.

 

[galaxy]

The jumper board is on very tight.  Give it a good firm wiggle and it WILL come off.  Then simply install your decoder of choice.

David B

 

GAve it many good firm wiggles, and a few tugs. Didnt help

TY

-G

[galaxy]

Some of those Athearn jumper boards fit so tightly that they practically require dynamite to loosen them.

Well, not quite that bad, but you get the idea.  Try using a very small slotted jeweler's screwdriver tip inserted and twisted in each edge of the plug and some careful prying to get it started, then work from side to side until it comes out.

 

Dynatmite..that may be needed. I don't care about damaging the jumper board..but don't want to damage the plug.I will have to try this trick and hope I don't break anything.

TY -G

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Try using a very small slotted jeweler's screwdriver tip inserted and twisted in each edge of the plug and some careful prying to get it started, then work from side to side until it comes out.

I agree with this. I had the same problem with a rtr Athearn some months back.

[jasperofzeal]

The jumper board is on very tight.  Give it a good firm wiggle and it WILL come off.  Then simply install your decoder of choice.

David B

 

GAve it many good firm wiggles, and a few tugs. Didnt help

TY

-G

I have 2 GP-40X's, on one of the engines, I was able to take out the dummy plug the way David suggested, took a bit of an effort, but it came out.  On the other engine, it took a lot of tugging and wiggling, more than the first one, but it did come off.  What I noticed later was that there was sort of adhesive that was applied to the dummy plug.  It looked sort of like a tiny dot of hot glue was added prior to the Chinese guy plugging in the dummy socket.  I suspect that your plug might have been installed by the same guy that put my engine together.  Try to see if you can spot some adhesive and try to remove what you can before you try pulling out the dummy.