Bought my son the Thunder Chief for Christmas and unfortunately it stopped making sounds this weekend (just under 4 months). Still runs as it used to. Thought he had muted it but the rumbling engine sounds normally come back when you turn the power on. Only thing that works in terms of function is the 10 - lights and that is intermittent. Can anyone assist?
Cheers,
D...
Welcome.
It does sound like a speaker or broken wire or maybe the sound part of the decoder if the motor and lights work just fine. I am not sure a decoder reset will do anything.
What DCC system do you have?
You can do a decoder reset. CV8. Enter 8. Cycle track Power. The head light should flash sixteen times and the loco run on address 3.
That is what I usually do with a decoder that is flaky.
There is a Bachmann forum with Bachmann reps also if you are interested. A Repair site phone number. Just Google Bachmann forums. The link will pop right up.
You can join and do not have to wait like you do here.
Good luck.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
The OP stated that when powered up he hears a rumbling sound. Don't think the speaker is at fault? Could be a loose connetion but I don't think so. If the loco runs and make no sounds ( although he hears rumbling) is unclear to me.
Also do not understand light with function 10. Has this loco been remaped?
I was somewhat confused by the post myself.
"thing that works in terms of function is the 10".
I wonder if he has the EZ Command DCC controller but it should run the loco but not do a reset.
Again, you can join the Bachmann forums and ask without waiting like you have to here and come back right away. There is a HO forum with company reps.
Yes, the OP had a train set that comes with the EX Command DCC unit. So no resets.
Intermittent function operation could just be dirty wheels/track/pickups.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The train set he comes with EZ Command. function button 10 controls the lights. The unit is incapable of completing a decoder reset. All it can do is set an address and the address must be lower than 10 (1 thru 9).
If using function button 8 does not un-mute the decoder, you must find someone who has a DCC system than can complete a decoder reset. This would be recommended before returning the unit under warranty.
Could be a disconnected wire to speaker. If so inclined to open the engine and check, do it at your own risk. if loose, will require soldering skill.
-- Marc
Thanks everyone. Took it to my hobby shop and the decoder is bad. We were unable to get anything out of it after it was reset. We called Bachmann and are mailing it back to them.