TCS decoder problem

[Robert Langford]

I have 6 TCS t1 (Train Control Systems) decoders. I have hard wired all of them in various loco's. 3 work perfectly, on the other three, I cannot get the lights to go off. They are lighted as soon as I turn on the power, (MRC Express system).  Forward and reverse the lights are always on, like they are wired directly to the track power. I have called TCS but have not recieved any information that helped. Has anyone else had this kind of troubled? If so, what can I do?? Any suggestions?

I appreciate you follows on this forum, you have helped me many times as I turned to DCC. I have been in the hobby since the 1650s, but have not been in DCC very long.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

BOB

superintendent of the Sandy Southern R.R.  Sandy, Utah

[mfm37]

Have you checked to see if they are connected directly to the track? In other words, shorting the function output. Not all the time but frequently, when a decoder's function is shorted (ruined), the function will remain lit. Check each light that's malfunctioning for continuity  between  either of its wires and  the track pick ups.  Fortunately, TCS has a one year goof proof warranty.

[cacole]

You may have the lights wired wrong.  The blue and white wire are for the headlight, and blue and yellow are for the backup light, if the loco has one.  If you didn't wire the lights this way, they are wrong.  If you used a different color wire, such as the green, for one of the lights, then a different function key must be used to turn it on and off. 

The factory default settings for TCS T-1 decoders are for Function 0 to turn the headlight and backup light on and off and for them to be directional.  CV 49 should have a value of 0 and CV 50 a value of 16.  Then use the Function 0 key to turn them on and off.