[jsshieldsjr]

I bought a Athern Loco on e-bay and then I picked up a digitrack decoder today. The guy at the shop told me to bring it to the show tomorrow and he would show me how to install it but being the hard headed .... that I am I decided to do it myself. Now remember this is the first time that I've ever even taken a screw out of a loco. I got the decoder installed and everything put back together but when I put it on the track the wheels spin, it moves a few inches then stops. It's almost like something is dragging but that is not the case. It was running fine on just DC before now. i didn't see any traction rubbers on the wheels when i took it apart. ???

 

[mr_x_ite_ment]

js...did the decoder burn out? The motor should be isolated from the frame (i.e. install a piece of electrical tape between the motor and the frame). Look for burn marks on the decoder. If the decoder is fine, I am not sure what to say.

 

[jsshieldsjr]

I figured it out. When I was taking the body off I took out the screws that hold the motor in, I thought I needed to. When I finally got the body off a small piece of plastic fell off and I figured it was just part of the exterior trim and decided to fix it later. It was the rear drive shaft!!! Oh well lessons learned. at least now I'm pretty sure I could change an engine if needed!

 

[mr_x_ite_ment]

Sounds good js...glad you figured it out and it was something simple!