bachmann gs4 4-8-4 daylight with factory decoder problems

[norcalmodeler]

I just want to start by saying thank you to everyone. This form has answered a lot of questions and issues i have had being a newbie.

ok, i have a bachmann gs4 with a factory installed decoder, this is the first loco i have tried to program. programed it to the 4449 loco number. it runs but is very speratic.  with out touching the throttle it goes slow then fast then stops then moves again.  it does work, if you turn the throttle to 0 it stops and if i turn it up it runs. forward and reverse work.

i run a digitrax system, i have a big boy with sound i run also.  it works fine.

I also have a problem with a precision scale sd7, it has a little jearking to it.  you dont notice when it is running by itself but with cars you can see it. you do have to look close.  this one is still set on factory setting #3.

any ideas of thoughts?

 

thanks, 

 

[Hamltnblue]

Is the loco new?

If so clean the wheels of the loco and tender for starters.

Second is check the seating of the tender plug and make sure it's fully seated.

Next you should do a break in of about an hour. Bachmanns run much better after about that time.  Just run it at half speed.

Good Luck

[norcalmodeler]

thanks, no change after cleaning and checking the plug.

you are correct, the more i run it the better it seems.

 i did notice that most of the issue is when it is on a turn.  I have a 32 inch radius curves.

 

i will try running it more to see if that solves it.  might put a better decoder in it.

 

thanks,

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Clean your track. Check it with a white cloth. If there's ANY color on the other than white then clean the track again. Make sure the loco wheels and pickups are clean as well. If it still displays it's bad behavior the problem lies with the loco. Have you considered sending it back?

[norcalmodeler]

 got it off of ebay, it was cheap

if i cant get it to work right i will just use to fill the roundhouse i am going to build.

i will clean the track again, 

thanks,

 

[rrinker]

 If other locos run fine, especially a sound one, it's not dirty track. It could be dirty loco wheels or pickups. Does this stopping and starting happen at a set throttle position or does it happen as you advance the throttle - in paricular, does the headlight go on and off as you advance the throttle? You didn't mention which Digitrax system you have but if you have a DT series throttle with the encoder knobs, does the headlight flash on and off with each alternate click as you advance the throttle? If so, you may have accidently done a status edit and are sendign 14 speed steps instead of 28/128. Or the value in CV29 is wrong, For address 4449, CV29 should be 34 or 38. 34 for DCC only or 38 if you also need it to operate on a DC layout. Try setting it to one of these numbers, independent of the address programming. Since it runs (sort of) on 4449 it at least has the proper settings in CV29 to use a long address.

                                          --Randy

[Hamltnblue]

And also remember, bachmann has an excellent warranty. If you cant get it to run right call them and arrange to send it back.  Don't tell them you got it off of ebay.  There's a small fee but well worth it.  If they cant repair it they'll replace it.  And it's a lifetime guarantee.