Hi friends.

been researching how to upgrade my Marklin 038 382-8. The lights it has flicker when it runs and also there is a constant sound with sounds like motor grinding. guess its the shoe. and then there is no sound. was wondering how to upgrade it and what parts to order/use and how to add sound to it. I have never done an upgrade but willing to do so.
all help is appreciated.

Thanks

When you do a conversion for the first time I would suggest not to go straight for a sound decoder but rather an ordinary decoder so long it has the same plug (8 pin or 21 pin).

with ESU it doesn't matter, where ever you buy your sound decoder and you ruin it you get it replaced for free (3 year warranty).
what is important that you have a multi meter so you can ascertain all your connections are clear of any cross wires., when using an 8 pin harness and plug you can test the plug after securing/soldered all wires and touch the plugs with your multi meter connectors (cross references).

the conversion Sven did is perfect but for my liking's a bit outdated. you could get a decoder holder to the right of the motor, usually there is a mounting bracket and you can secure the decoder onto it (ESU adapter plate 51968) or use a double sided adhesive tape and secure the decoder onto it.
when you use a sound decoder I would suggest to place the speaker into the tender.
Unfortunately I never owned one of these locos otherwise I could show you picture's of it.
with the light you can either use bulbs as Sven did with its plastic bulb holder and this will fit into the same spot where the previous bulb was sitting in,. by using this light plug you can achieve your flicker free lights and instructions for this are normally supplied with your choice of decoder. (orange (Märklin or blue (ESU), this wire is a + (DC) and comes from the decoder and not from the ground connection as the previous bulb (set into the bulbholder/chassis).
the light functions are straight forward, front and rear light if there are lights in the tender, if not you can drill a couple holes into the dummy light fittings.(but this gets a bit more complicated as you would need either see if there is a spare part for later editions of this loco whereas there are lights in the tender. , you can add a smoke generator but it doesn't look like it it was ever provided or ready to be able to install one (again you would have to drill a hole into the smoke stack and fit a Seuthe smoke generator (make sure the hole is the same diameter as the smoke generator.

regards.,

John

Hi friends this is where I am after a lot of research and studies and you tube videos.
when I put it on track, I can hear the motor. it was detected automatically as DCC-0. but nothing moves. and it then goes to stop. can't figure out what is wrong.
have checked all connections and there is no short circuit.

The decoder is an mfx decoder
Address DCC 0 is not correct

What controller do you use? Are you using programming track?

the decoder must be recognized automatically like mSD3 dumpf or something like this

the DCC address is 3

Costas

how do I make it to recognize correctly? what could be the reason for that not being recognized?

watched this video to guide me. there is nothing else.

wonder where I went wrong

everything works. very grateful guys!!

Thanks you Costas.

Now trying to see if I can retro fit an LED light bulb. the holder will need to be changed and then there is red boiler light. trying to see if I can hook them up in series or as separate circuits. lets see. this is fun. specially since it worked out

Hi

Look for short circuit

Cover with insulation tape the inside of the lloco body

Costas