Last year I bought a 37973 MIKADO branded as mfx, but it is a fx. The locomotive is looking great, metal body, nice details, but the sound and functions are not on the expected level for such nice model.
I have bought a mfx decoder ESU 62412 and I want to fit in the locomotive. What other parts do I need? Do I need to change the motor?
Please advice,
Thank you,
Adrian

Ray,
I bought this locomotive from Marklin USA, it was a sale at the end of last year. As I remember it was described as a mfx. Now I am not so sure, I checked the box and there is no mention about mfx, so it might be that I am wrong.
I do not know what shall I do, the instructions from ESU are only German language.
That's the reason I am advices.
Adrian

Using a screwdriver and guessing, I found out the following:

There are five connections on the pcb of the locomotive body:
front light +
front light ground
smoke generator
two ground connections (I am not sure about this)



The locomotive is equiped with a DC motor, connected to the original pcd through a resistor on the (-) wire.



For converting I intend to use a pcb #611664 and a locksound mfx 62412.



Having no experrience I would appreciate the advices from the ones which are not only guessing, like I do.

- do I need to keep the resistor on the minus wire?

- what is the impedance and power of the original speaker (there is no mark on it)

- to my mind there are too many groung contacts. There is a reason for sure, but I do not understand it.

- how shall I connect the smoke generator (violet wire from the loksound decoder?)

- how shall I connect the front light?

Thank you,
Adrian

Although it's a little late now, Marklin did produce an MFX version of the 37973. I originally had the FX version,and a year or so later I found an MFX version on German Ebay. The difference is that the later one has MFX stickers added to the box, and off course a decent Loksound MFX decoder.

I had a spot of luck and actually managed to sell my FX version for a little more than I paid for the MFX one. You coould consider doing the same.
A quick scan of German Ebay shows quite a few 37973 available, though they all appear to be the FX version, perhaps thee were not to many MFX ones made.

Regards
Ashley

Adrian

Yes I will take the tender apart and look for you, it may take a little while.

Regards
Ashley

Adrian

Sorry for the delay, I had difficulty finding my 37973, much of my collection is in storage following a house move.

OK, I am not sure how much help I can be, my parts diagram lists the motor as 212 528 and the decoder as 608 653, but I do not think this is correct.
I have removed the coal from the tender and my PCB is different from the parts diagram. It has a 21 pin ESU Loksound decoder mounted on the PCB.
The PCB itself has a reference number printed on it IK050530A, maybe it is worth asking Maerklin Service for the part number for this.

Please email if I can be of further help.

Regards
Ashley