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BLI engine stops

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Saint Marys , Ohio
  • 24 posts
BLI engine stops
Posted by JoeVoisinSr on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 12:53 PM

I've developed a problem with my BLI  sd40-2 that I run on my dc layout.. The engine goes through the start up sequence and will idle at low power. When I give it more power , it travels a couple of inches and then it shuts off. If anyone can help me with this problem I would be very appreciative. Thanks to everyone. Respectfully Joe Voisin Sr

  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Colorado
  • 4,075 posts
Posted by fwright on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 4:27 PM

JoeVoisinSr

I've developed a problem with my BLI  sd40-2 that I run on my dc layout.. The engine goes through the start up sequence and will idle at low power. When I give it more power , it travels a couple of inches and then it shuts off. If anyone can help me with this problem I would be very appreciative. Thanks to everyone. Respectfully Joe Voisin Sr

The first question is - are you willing to take off the shell, do some disassembly, some trouble shooting, and perhaps invest in a multimeter to take readings?  Or do you prefer to return the engine to BLI for them to work on?

Neither answer is more correct than the other, but it is your decision.  Once you start down the road to fixing the problem(s) yourself, you will likely void any warranty, but you will learn new skills.  Chances of getting lucky for the long term by tweaking some settings are pretty slim, especially with only the throttle setting of a DC power pack for trouble shooting. 

A thorough visual inspection of the mechanism is almost a must to get started.  Although not connected to this problem, a check of the wheels and coupler(s) with the NMRA and Kadee coupler height gauges is a part of my visual inspection.  In your inspection, you particularly want to look for gummed up bearings and gears.  This can be anything from cat or human hair to congealed grease.

After cleaning and re-lubing, my next step would be to check what is happening to motor voltage and current when the motor starts to move, and when it stops.

Hope this gets you started as a future "Loco Doc".

Fred W

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 4:39 PM

    Joe.

 Clean the track and wheels and see if it still stops.

  Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 4:59 PM

fwright

 

 

 

 

  Once you start down the road to fixing the problem(s) yourself, you will likely void any warranty, but you will learn new skills.

 

  Actually, BLI is pretty forgiving about a customer trying to fix there own problem Joe, ask me how I know? First thing I would do is clean the wheels and track, Sound engines are less forgiving than straight DC engines as far as clean wheels.

 If that does not take care of the problem call BLI at 386-673-8900 and tell them what the problem is. More than likely they will be able to tell you over the phone how to fix it, or to send it back.

 Cuda Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 9:09 PM

A couple of things to try.

First make sure there isn't a short happening on the layout. Each time you have a short the loco will re-start.  Just run the loco on a straight section of track.

If it's not that try a reset of the decoder/s

 

Springfield PA

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