I'm having trouble with the GP9 I motorised and installed a Zimo MX648 sound decoder into. After working fine for several months it's started to behave erratically. First the loco started moving jerkily for a while, but now it won't move at all in one direction, and in the other direction it races off uncontrollably at top speed. I've tried a factory reset (CV8=8) to no avail. The sound functions work fine, as do the lights, although in one direction there is a clicking noise as the light comes on. As far as I can tell none of the wiring has been disturbed, and I can turn the motor manually in both directions so I know nothing is jammed.
My DCC controller is fine as other locos run as normal. But whenever I try to change a CV setting on this loco it shows an error.
So I'm guessing it's either the motor (one of the cheap Chinese ones) or (more likely) the decoder playing up. I haven't yet dismantled it to try it with a different motor. Has anyone come across this type of thing before?
Problem with DCC loco running erratically
Problem with DCC loco running erratically
Naples sTreeT: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/naplesstrt.html
The video: https://youtu.be/wUoV41tM4AU
Computerised switching: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/swsetup.exe
The video: https://youtu.be/wUoV41tM4AU
Computerised switching: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/swsetup.exe
- ConducTTor
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Re: Problem with DCC loco running erratically
If it's direction dependent I don't think it's decoder. I would look at motor or gears or something else. If you manually rotate the motor, do you feel a difference between the two directions?
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Re: Problem with DCC loco running erratically
No I don't, but my next step is to unsolder the thing and test with a different motor, also test this motor on DC.
Naples sTreeT: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/naplesstrt.html
The video: https://youtu.be/wUoV41tM4AU
Computerised switching: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/swsetup.exe
The video: https://youtu.be/wUoV41tM4AU
Computerised switching: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/swsetup.exe
- ConducTTor
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- Posts: 8924
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 4:52 pm
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Re: Problem with DCC loco running erratically

My website: https://www.ttnut.com
It's the website you're already on. But if you want to be even more on it, click the link.
It's the website you're already on. But if you want to be even more on it, click the link.
Re: Problem with DCC loco running erratically
The motor works fine on DC. But the decoder shows the same problems when hooked up to another motor. So back to the supplier.
Dismantling the innards has given me another 'opportunity' - I'll try and fit the speaker into the fuel tank rather than inside the body shell for better sound.
Dismantling the innards has given me another 'opportunity' - I'll try and fit the speaker into the fuel tank rather than inside the body shell for better sound.
Naples sTreeT: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/naplesstrt.html
The video: https://youtu.be/wUoV41tM4AU
Computerised switching: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/swsetup.exe
The video: https://youtu.be/wUoV41tM4AU
Computerised switching: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/swsetup.exe
- ConducTTor
- Site Admin
- Posts: 8924
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 4:52 pm
- Location: Atlanta GA USA
- Contact:
Re: Problem with DCC loco running erratically

My website: https://www.ttnut.com
It's the website you're already on. But if you want to be even more on it, click the link.
It's the website you're already on. But if you want to be even more on it, click the link.
Re: Problem with DCC loco running erratically
All up and running again, nice and smooth. The supplier gave me a replacement decoder no questions asked.
I fitted the speaker into the fuel tank this time but with no detectable difference to the sound. But it's acceptable.
I also fitted Kadee 705s instead of the previous MTLs. Very nice, first time I've used them.
I fitted the speaker into the fuel tank this time but with no detectable difference to the sound. But it's acceptable.
I also fitted Kadee 705s instead of the previous MTLs. Very nice, first time I've used them.
Naples sTreeT: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/naplesstrt.html
The video: https://youtu.be/wUoV41tM4AU
Computerised switching: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/swsetup.exe
The video: https://youtu.be/wUoV41tM4AU
Computerised switching: http://mattersofinterest.co.uk/swsetup.exe
- ConducTTor
- Site Admin
- Posts: 8924
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 4:52 pm
- Location: Atlanta GA USA
- Contact:
Re: Problem with DCC loco running erratically

My website: https://www.ttnut.com
It's the website you're already on. But if you want to be even more on it, click the link.
It's the website you're already on. But if you want to be even more on it, click the link.