Z 4000 problem

[rogruth]

Chuck,
One day running a Williams before Bachman and a K-Lionel PRR A5 everything was working using traditional power. Power was turned off.
Several days later with the same locos on the track I had the situation as described at the start of this topic when the power was turned on.

I have some parts offers but I will need a lot of courage to tackle it. I have been told shipping costs for this thing are huge to send it to a repair person.
I'll probably get something else.

[chuck]

It may have just gone belly up. I don't see anything in your activities that would cause it to crap out. I wish that MTH was more forthcoming with service info.

It may be as simple as a slipped gear/mis alignment on the potentiometer. Hard to say without going in.

[rogruth]

What really frustrates me is going from good to bad just by turning it on.
I may take the thing apart since it doesn't work. Nothing to lose.

[chuck]

What really frustrates me is going from good to bad just by turning it on.

Not that uncommon an occurrence with a lot of modern electronics. Toy trains are kind of hard on this stuff and can cause failures. A switching power supply can see an increased load as a green light to pump out more power until the breaker actually trips.

Like you said it isn't working now. Just be careful.

[rogruth]

Again, thanks to all. If I ever figure out anything I will post it.