Diagnostic Help Needed for HO KATO AC4400CW

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I just bought a used KATO AC4400CW off Ebay. It is said to have a Digitrax decoder. I run DC but have run a few units with decoders in the past with no trouble. This unit will only move long hood first (ie, the front end will not move when power is applied in its direction). The ditch lights and headlights won’t light up either.

Is this is a decoder issue? Another mechanical issue? Or was I sold a lemon?

2

Is the decoder a plug in type? Remove the decoder and put a jumper plug in it and see how it runs. I suspect the decoder is fried.

Pete

3

I’ll second that. Try it DC and you may get your answer.

Have you tried decoder reset numerous times?

4

To start, if you only run DC remove the decoder. I once bought a Kato with a digitrax decoder and tried to run it on DC. It did nothing in either direction. Then if you have Kato jumper pins (you need 2, and they look like this):

Insert them into the board like this (the front of the locomotive is to the left) :

WARNING!!: Do NOT insert them any other way. if you do it will damage or destroy the board. If this isn’t clear enough read the “For Digital Command Control (DCC) Use (optional):” section of your instructions before doing this.

If you don’t have the jumpers, you might be able to get them at your local HS; or have them ordered. I’ve also hear of making your own out of things like staples (not sure how well it works though). As for the headlights and ditchlights, in DC they are directional. If the rear lights don’t work when the loco is in reverse though, it sounds like a decoder issue to me. The loco in the picture is my AC4400CW that I bought last weekend. It runs flawlessly on my DC layout.

Good luck,

Jamie

P.S. if it says “Kato” on the bottom I doubt you where sold a lemon[:)].

5

Thanks for your help! The seller claims the decoder is not dual mode (but that doesn’t account for why it will run backwards but not forwards). He has offered to send me the jumper pins. But what I need to know now is how do I remove the shell without screwing up the locomotive which has all the detail parts installed? My one experience opening up a Kato AC4400CW did not end well. If you can help me out I’d appreciate it!

6

Hello again,

Kato recommends you remove all the handrails when you dissasemble the locomotive, but I’ve done it without removing handrails. Here’s how:

  1. Remove couplers and coupler pockects on both ends:

  1. Remove radiator (it sould just pop of when you lift on it):

  1. GENTLY pinch in this location and lift (it might not come off easily, you may have to move slightly back and forth or up and down, GENTLY) untill you it looks like the second photo:

  1. Grab the walk way and, once again gently, do the same thing. Stop once you get it free from the frame, like this:

  1. Grab the cab and (genlty sould be implied by now) pinch and lift:

  1. You may have to pull out on both the front and rear steps to get them over the frame, like so:

  1. Once you are sure the shell is free all the way around, grab the center and lift vertically (don’t worry the light pipes are in the shell, and not connected to the frame):

7

Thanks for that wonderful description! I’m going to try it today.