i recently resurrected my Marklin layout and everything so far has worked properly, except for this particular loco, #3670. it did work before being put away. Everything works but this loco. i have checked cantenary switch and cant find anything obviously wrong. i have run google searches etc with no help in basic troubleshooting of Marklin digital engines.

I have now....

I'm surprised that's the only link you supplied!

Hey - Welcome to the forum.

This is the place for answers to all of your Märklin questions - just be as specific as possible when posting about things. I have found a lot of help here even when my newbie questions were pretty lame.

Did Per's link answer your question?

Question:
What controller are you using? 6021/MS/MS2/CS/CS1/CS2/CS3?
What transformer are you using?

Checklist:

1) Make sure that the power selection switch is set to track or catenary as needed
2) If you have an analog transformer, you can test to see if the locomotive responds to analog signals.
If you do not have an analog transformer, you can connect straight tracks to make a length of approximately two meters.
Put the locomotive at one end, while holding it. Connect the power leads to the brown and yellow terminals and see if the locomotive runs down the track or off the end. Do not let it fall. Cut the power before the locomotive moves more than 360mm (4 track lengths)
If the locomotive moves under this test, it is working in analog.
3) Make sure that the DIP switches are set to the address you are using
4) Do functions (F0) respond (lights on/off)? This would be an indication that the decoder is receiving power, but the motor is not turning.
5) Is there a hum? Does it sound like the motor is straining.

Here are the possibilities:

A) Normally, a lok in analog mode will speed off when placed on a digital track. If the lok stands still, it is either in digital mode or there is a problem.
B) There may be loose wiring inside the locomotive. Check the leads from the slider and ground to the decoder and the leads from the decoder to the motor.
You can also inspect the decoder to see if there are visible signs of heat damage/short. If any is found, you may need to replace the decoder.
C) If the lights work, but the motor does not and there is a hum or sounds of straining, it may be that the oil has hardened and the motor or drive is incapable of turning
DO NOT TURN THE WHEELS BY HAND. THIS COULD DAMAGE THE SIDE RODS AND OTHER COMPONENTS
Report back on your observations here. We will try to assess, but if there are still any problems after that, my recommendation would be to contact Scott at Helmut's Hobby in Warrenton, VA, which hopefully is not too far from you.

Regards

Mike C

If all the digital address switches are in the 'off' position it is analogue only. But many of the decoders will switch automatically between analogue and digital modes, and as it appears you did this analogue test with a digital address set it appears that this is a decoder that will automatically switch.

As to getting it running in digital mode I would suggest doing the following: -

1. Work all the switches back and forth three or four times. The address switches are known to sometimes get a bit oxidised with age and working them back and forth polishes the mating surfaces so the make good contact again.

2. Now look up the default switch positions in the handbook that comes with the loco. Set the switches to match this, and now try the loco with the digital controller using the address given in the manual. I don't see any advantage in playing with the switches unless you specifically need to change the address because it conflicts with another loco you have on the layout. Life tends to become a lot easier if you leave them set to the default address. If the loco will not now run on the digital controller you have a problem with the decoder.

You need to help us here, to help you. Mike already asked what Controller you are using? That will aid troubleshooting considerably.

But how I would approach it....

1: It's an E-Lok - is the switch set to Track or Overhead pickup? - very easy to bump this lever by accident

2: Does the Loco still run on Analogue? - if you still have a conventional Trafo it is worth checking. Those older ones will respond to the analogue power without any changes

* If it does run (with speed control), problem is most likely Digital in nature - failed Decoder or Controller/Wiring problem.

If it runs, but at a constant speed without any speed control, check track Polarity - Red to center stud, brown to outer rails. We've had a few lately where this has been the problem.

** If it does not run, problem is in the Loco, Decoder, motor wiring, or Motor itself. I would start with the motor because the wiring is unlikely to have failed unless there's a broken wire but the pickup wire may have broken - can you try from the overhead) attach a wire to the Panto if you don't actually have Catenary.

3: Do the wheels and motor turn freely? - you may simply have hardened oil which has effectively become a glue. Easiest thing is to remove the motor brushes and try turning the gears from the motor down, this is better than trying to hand-force the wheels. You can try a small screwdriver between the gear teeth and a gentle twist to turn them slightly - be careful not to scratch the hears.

If the gear train started quite stiff but them became more free, you have possibly now freed the bond that was locking it. Put the brushes back in and try again. You 'might' get away with simply adding a small drop of oil to both armature bearings and the gears and wheel axles and run it a while to work the oil in. But if you cannot free the gears or they are very gummy, you may need to strip the motor, clean and flush the old oil out.

4: If you do not have a conventional controller, test the loco functions. ie the Headlight function is the most basic level. Set the correct address, and try turning the headlight on and off - if it responds, you know the address is good, and the Decoder probably is ok and the Controller is working.

If none of these work, it's probably best to get it looked at.

Cheers

Steve

Yes, engine runs in analog. no response from function keys. wire connections look good and solid. Very little run time on this loco. is there a testing procedure for decoder?

Sounds like a plain and simple dead Delta decoder to me. Being the Re 460 collector I am and thus coming across a lot of Delta decoders, many ran analogue (and thus bypassing the decoder) and would not work digitally, despite even being new old stock in box and never run. I actually question the decoder from radio interference etc, Long story short, I think your decoder is fried

The best (and probably cheapest) option will be to get one of the new decoders from this years Marklin New Items. A decoder is introduced there that will work with AC motors. There are a handful of other manufacturers offering decoders that work with AC motors, but I don't know how good they are or what their running characteristics are like.

Any other option will require replacing the armature and magnet to convert the motor to DC. This will allow the use of the Marklin mld/3 (non-sound) or msd/3 (sound) or ESU Lokpilot (non-sound) or Loksound (sound) decoders - again with offerings from other manufacturers as well. Going this route will produce a much better running loco with much lower minimum speed and smoother acceleration and braking.

The choice comes down to how much you wish to spend.