Bachmann Annie - sound problem!

Hi,
 
I have had a Bachmann Annie for a few months now and been very happy with it. However, recently the sound has stopped working. I have bought a good quality 9v battery for the tender and it still doesnt work properly. It chuffs when it stops but that it about it - it doesnt seem to coordinate with the speed of the loco anymore!I know the sound quality is not as good as some units but being new to G scale I was happy with it. I have also noticed that the rear light no longer works when in reverse and I have checked all the connections.
 
I noticed recently that a member sold a Bachmann Annie in this forum and the sound was not working all the time. is this a common fault? Can anyone suggest a solution?
 
Many thanks,
 
Dave

If I had those symptoms with my Annie, I would most likely have swapped the light and sound plugs. <grin>

I have several big haulers of which the annie is supposedly a superior derivative. The big haulers have one plug and the annies have two (light and sound as you know). What I have found is that wires can break inside the insulation or come detached from the plug. It is usually connections that are the problem because, apart from the PCB which generates the sound, there is very little else to go wrong. You could undo the motor/ gearbox cover - with the loco upside down and well supported and clean the contacts on the forward driving wheel (using meths and a cotton bud).

Also just make sure the battery is in the right way round (and the plugs as suggested).

Mick

I had similar problems with an Annie. From new the rear light did not work. I took it apart, with advice from the GSM forum but still could not resolve it.
The sound card gave up after just a few days of use. As I bought the loco from the USA I could not get it repaired in the UK and had to buy a new card. Not expensive just annoying.
A second Annie also bought new judders - it awaits dismantling!

Dave,
 
I produce MyLocoSound soundcards and several of my customers have fitted them to Backmann Annies. There is a video of the result at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgrRogLbzQE. MyLocoSound fits in the tender and uses the original Bachmann speaker, battery and leads from the loco. You may need to add a second 9v battery if you want the sound to be very loud. Details are on my web site at www.mylocosound.com.
 
However, the problem with the existing sound and rear light suggests that you may have faulty electronics in the loco. Those electronics would have to be fixed first, whichever sound card you use. I suggest you contact Bachmann for advice.
 
Regards
Peter

Moonraker

However, the problem with the existing sound and rear light suggests that you may have faulty electronics in the loco. Those electronics would have to be fixed first, whichever sound card you use. I suggest you contact Bachmann for advice.

The Bachmann Annie loco wiring is relatively simple, the only electronics is an LED headlight and associated resistor. If you click on the following link http://www.bachmanntrains...ome-usa/references.php and then on  the LS anniversary edition 4-6-0 you'll get all the diagrams including a wiring diagram.
I agree with previous postings that suggest there may be a break in the wiring between loco and tender, or maybe a dry joint at the rear of the loco where the male ends of the connectors are mounted.

Probably too obvious to be the answer, but I found the battery compartment cover hinge broke almost immediately on mine and therefore didn't hold the battery down tightly enough - I remade the cover to overcome the intermittent circuit breakdown!

Regards

Rob