So my Y6b finally arrived today after much anticipation. I rush inside to fire it up and get sound but it will not move. Upon inspection it seems that the rear set of drivers are locked up. Is there anything I can do myself to remedy this situation? Yes, I bought it on an auction site and I knew there was a risk but I've always wanted one of these. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sad to say BLI has closed their member forum,but the website with repair information is still up so check that and all else failing give them a call,their warranty &repair service is still first rate.
If you are sure the plug is well and truly driven home in its tether receptacle (I ask this because if there is one loco I own that fools you this way, the Y6b is it, and I'm not the only one ever fooled!), then perhaps one of the drivers has rotated slightly on its axle and is causing a quartering bind. I doubt it...I have never read a forum post anywhere that complains of drivers out of quarter on the BLI y6b. Please lay engine and tender on their sides, tilt the back end of the tender well up away from you so that you have good access to the wire bundle, plug, and recptacle, and use a pair of needle-nosed pliers to drive the plug tight to the back wall of the receptacle. You must grasp the engine in one hand, carefully but firmly, and open the tines on the pliers and place a tine on each side of the plastic plug back surface. Careful not to pinch the outer wires! Drive the plug tight to the back. Restore the locomotive and tender to the rails, and try it again. I forgot to add, if it still won't work, are you sure you have the address configured correctly? If the locomotive works on Address 03, you have not converted the decoder's new address to an 'extended' or 'long' address. The Y6b's came higher than 1999, and any address in DCC higher than 127 is considered a long address. You must enter Ops Mode, engine powered on the rails, and programme CV 29 with a value of either 34 or 38. The former if you want to use it only ever on DCC systems, latter if you will occasionally use it on DC only layouts.
I'm a knothead for not remembering to mention the plug/receptical problem with the y6 or any of the BLI engines for that matter,yep they have to be fully seated or you'll get sound but no movement. hope thats the case as it was with mine the first time i tried running it. :tb-biggrin:
I ended up sending the loco to BLI. They were very helpful and professional on the phone and we tried every option before the decision was made to send it in for repair. I was getting sound, headlight and one chuff before it stopped moving. I hate to be without my new Christmas present for 6 to 8 weeks but at least it will be good as new when it comes back. Thanks for all the help. This forum is awesome!!!
