Big Hauler synchronized sound

[Bill S.]

I've had trouble with tis since purchasing the unit - it worked only intermittently at first - now I get no sound at all.  Is there a way to open the coal car to see if there are any loose connections?  Nothing obvious to me. 
Thanks in advance for your help,      Bill S.

[Loco Bill]

Hi Bill,

The most common problem is that even though you think you have a fresh battery installed, it may be to weak to trigger the sound.  Batteries direct from the store also may not be fresh.  If the battery is tested and found good, make sure the battery is installed in the holder correctly( it is easy to reverse the polarity) and the that the door closes completely and the little latch is locked. Be sure the chuff sensor or "sound" wire between the tender and loco is firmly attached. Also be sure the red sound switch on the loco is on and the sound switch under the tender is on and turned all the way up. The loco must be moving for the sound.  here are the instructions in case you lost yours:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/Big_Hauler_Instructions.pdf

To test the sound in the tender, carefully remove the "sound"plug between the loco and tender.  Take a thin piece of fine wire and bend it in a U shape and stick the ends in the holes on the ends of the plug.  Each time you do this you should get a chuff sound.  Make sure you push the wires in far enough. If you followed the above stuff on the battery and switches and still do NOT get a chuff sound then you may want to check the inside of the tender.  There are four screws under it which hold the shell to the floor.

If you do get a chuff doing this test the tender is fine and you can plug it back into the loco and try again. if it still does not work, the problem is in the locomotive not the tender.

Let me know how it goes, and we can go from there.

Have fun!!

Bill

[Bill S.]

Thanks - grandkids will be happy now.  Nothing like train sounds and smoke!!!!!   bill