Electrical problems with MTL SD40-2??

Hello Everyone--

I just got two MTL SD40-2s. After running both locos a couple of hours, one has run flawlessly, while the other one has gone south. The offending loco started with few intermittent stalls and buzzing. Both issues have increased. Now, I am lucky if the loco works. When it does, different things occur: (a) sometimes, the lights illuminate but the motor shows no sign of life, (b) sometimes, it only works at full power, and/or (c) it buzzes more consistently and audibly now than it did when I first got it.

I am using Zthek's electical power pack, which is new and has a good track record. I am using MTL micro-track. I've used pristine track and/or track that was just cleaned. I have also cleaned the unit's wheels. Short of taking it apart, a task I prefer not to do, nothing has worked.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Steve Williams

Steve, my first suggestion is return the engine, but if you feel adventurous, theres couple things you can try. Theres four brass power pick up under the trucks. Make sure they are making contact with the ones in the truck. Bend them down a little if you can. The other suggestion is bend the motor tabs so that it touches the chassis. That way, its bypassing the pc board, and its picking up power from the chassis. This trick only works on dc, but it will short your dcc board. I hope this works for you.

Thanks for your input. You confirmed my initial thought: send it back. I plan on doing it tomorrow.

Steve