lionel 4-8-2 mohawk flickering headlight

There isn't too many items that can cause this, it's either signal issues at that part of the layout, or reception issues with the locomotive.

Does it work properly if you take an insulated wire and connect it ONLY to the earth ground and lay it along the track in that section?  Earth ground is the round prong of the outlet connection or pin 5 of the TMCC/Legacy command base serial connector.

Assuming that doesn't help, do ANY other locomotives have any issues at those areas of the layout?  If not, then I'd remove the shell and make sure that both antennas (handrails) are connected to the antenna connection.  If so, the next thing you can try is swapping the R2LC from that engine with another properly working engine.  Make sure you do a full reset and type configuration whenever moving the R2LC between engines.

If the replacement R2LC doesn't have an issue, you probably need a new R2LC.

hello gunrunnerjohn. thanks for the reply. all other engines works fine on the section of track in question. the other suggestions did not correct the problem. i was thinking the same thing about the r2lc but on this loco, the parts list doesn't list that item but is the rcmc the same thing? if so then i think i need to order this. thanks again. bill

Sorry, I didn't look it up and assumed it was a TMCC locomotive, my bad.  

This is the newer Legacy electronics package.  The small board perched on top of the main board is the TMCC receiver, but AFAIK, you can't purchase those separately, a real ripoff if you ask me.  You'd have to swap that little board with another similar locomotive to give my suggestion a try.  The small TMCC board is on with press-on machine pins, it can be removed, you just have to do it carefully as the pins will break if you bend them very far. 

hello gunrunnerjohn. thanks for the reply. i haven't got an engine with that tmcc receiver and i think i will purchase one thru lionel. when i get it i will let you know the out come of this loco. until next time. bill

Is it still under warranty? 1 year from the date of purchase with a reciept.

One way shipping to Lionel is going to be cheaper than that board. Send them an email at the "Service/Repair Question" link here:  http://www.lionel.com/ContactUs/

hello ricko. thanks for the info. my dealing with lionel in the past hasn't been very good. i would rather get the part and install it myself then send it back to lionel. the part in question can be purchased separately and this is what i have done. but thanks anyway for your concern.bill 

You don't need that whole board, the Receiver can be bought separately.  It is very delicate and attached by 3x4 pin set up. Make sure it is installed completely, also make sure antenna connected properly.

G

George, how are you getting the receiver separately, I don't see any part number for it.  When I had one of these boards with a bad TMCC receiver, Lionel told me it was not a separate sale item.  I ended up fixing the TMCC receiver, so I didn't have to go for the full banana.

691RCVRB01

Thanks Bill, I wonder why the folks at Lionel refused to tell me that?   They insisted I had to buy the whole package!

John, hit your email I explained that.  I buy them often and have some.

Thanks, mystery solved.

hello gunrunnerjohn and everyone involved. received and installed receiver board and so far everything is working fine. thanks for the help. bill

  Seems it can be easy to damage that receiver if your not careful removing shell.  The antenna wire can easily pull it out.  G