Engine does not respond

New or used engine?  Did you try it in conventional operation?  Did this just happen, or has it always been dead?  If the PGM switch is bad, it won't go into program mode.

I bought this new.  It worked at one time.  I haven't run it in years.   Other TMCC engines running fine.

Is this a cmd engine, many PWC were conventional only.

  You may want to unplug the R2LC if it is TMCC and replug it to Mother board.  Also unplug the harnesses in the motor driver board and reseat them.

Try again.  If you still can't reset R2LC, try swapping a new one in from another engine.   G

Engine will not run in conventional mode either.   This engine does have TMCC.  I have the manual.   This engine was part of the PWC set with the 6557 caboose.

Well, reseating the boards as George suggests is a good idea, also reseat all the connectors.  Check for any pinched or disconnected wires.  If it's sat around for some time, connectors sometimes develop some oxidation that causes this kind of issue.

The fact that it responds to no commands, and also doesn't run in conventional (you did power down the command base, right?) suggests the R2LC may have a problem.

Vinny, do all the items the guys gave.  If you are still non operating, I have run into a situation a few times that I will outline. 

Under the smoke unit is a small square PCB.  It will have 4 plugs into it.  Two are for pickup roller and ground.  One set from each truck.   one for the smoke unit and one that heads to the motherboard.  The traces under the board go bad and all you have to do is hard wire everything.  Just follow the blown traces to wire it up.

It has lights and sound Marty, isn't that the power distribution board?

John, that would be correct I just wanted to throw out something I have run into a few times with those older engines.  Each time, it was Trainmasters.   I have had just what was presented.  I am glad Lionel has gone to the new board system. 

Vinny, send your boards to someone with a Lionel board tester.  Or send the engine.  If it ran before as you stated, a Lionel tech can get you up and running.

Interesting Marty, I've seen a couple of these engines, but so far the boards haven't been toasted.  That would probably be a weak point in the wiring, so with a short it's easy to see where that could happen.

I'd probably suggest sending the whole engine.  That way the issue can be resolved for sure.

Vinny

    Do the sounds start up as soon as track power is applied.

Bill

Boxcar, yes the sounds go on right away.   I'm sending out the whole engine to a guy my LHS recommened.   thanks for all the help.

Update.  I sent the engine out and it was repaired.  Seems that one of the boards was bad and it also had a bad "program run" switch.  I tested the engine and it worked great on my LHS layout.   Took it home and it works but responds very very slowly to any commands.  I tried another engine with TMCC and it works fine.   I took it back to the LHS to run on their layout and it worked fine.   I even took my handheld just to see if that was the problem.   Took the engine home and cannot get it to work properly on any loop of track.  My other two engines with TMCC work fine.   Any suggestions?

You could have a TMCC base going out of tune/ weak signal. Could be a ground plane issue but you say it won't run anywhere on your layout. Ground plane problems are typically in certain areas.

This loco may have a weaker antenna than your others making it more sensative to signal problems.

I'd start with the easy stuff. Is your base plugged directly into the wall outlet, or a power strip? Some power strips can degrade the signal.

Try holding your hand just above the loco and see if it responds better. If it does you could try adding a ground plane wire to your layout,do a forum search on ground planes, its fairly simple.

If thats not it, I'd go after the base. See if you can get another TMCC base on your layout and try the loco.

Having said that at this point, most TMCC handhelds and bases are well used, you may want to consider upgrading to the CAB1L and base.

Maybe they forgot to plug the antenna back in, but their test layout is simple with good signal strength.  G

 Any blinking of the headlight this time?

The base is plug into a power strip.   I will try that first.  

Since the engine is the only problem engine, and other engines work fine on your layout, doesn't seem like chasing issue with your layout is the solution.  G

I'd start with the easy stuff. Is your base plugged directly into the wall outlet, or a power strip? Some power strips can degrade the signal.

Ditto... Does you command base wall adapter    have 3 prongs.

I moved the power cord to another strip.  Same result.  Does not respond fully.  you have to hold any button and finally it may respond.  it does not move.   When I switched to another train with TMCC it worked without any issues immediately.  I have no clue what to do next.

BTW, the power cord has three prongs.

Have you tried plugging the base directly into the wall outlet? Ideally you want the base plugged directly into the wall outlet for the best signal.

Usually this is true with the exception of a "ground plane issue". A ground plane problem will only effect the loco(s) with the weakest antenna.

Diesels are typically the most sensative to ground plane issues. They don't have the advantage of metal handrails for an antenna like steamers do. You could have 20 locos and only 1 might be affected.

I'm not saying this is definately the problem but how about putting a hand just above the loco and see if it will respond. Sounds silly but this is a rather well known test for signal/ground plane problems.

If it responds, try adding a ground plane wire. A wire attached to the ground screw or lug on the outlet the stretched out and laid along the tracks.

Search ground plane issues on the forum for more info.

Vinny said it runs fine at the LHS, he needs to figure out where the shortfall is at home.

Only because I did this one, have you checked the wire from the command base to the outside rail to make sure it hasn't disconnected on either end

I don't know but maybe adding on to the antenna in the engine would help. Had to do it to a couple of diesel engines. Just added wire to the antenna ran it around the inside roof out of the way of the motors. Might be worth a shot .

And the answer to this is change the R2LC not modify the layout, IMHO.  The hand over the engine is a simple test.  Followed by removing the shell and making sure the antenna was reconnected.  This is easy to forget and happens more than not.   G

I think I would be ****ed off if it turned out to be low cab-1 batteries, (yes it's not that if other engines respond)Maybe tighten up the command base "U"connection and where it attaches to the outside rail. These are " I don't have to take it apart" suggestions.

I have tried every suggestion.   Nothing work.   No respond.   I'm going to remove the shell and see if anything is wrong inside.

I removed the shell and didn't see anything wrong.   Tried the engine on a conventional loop of track and it does not move.   Guess it will be retired.   

Before you give up, let someone test the boards.  I can test them for you if you can't find anyone local. 

John, I'd like to take you up on your offer to check out the engine.  Please advise.

Send me an email to my profile email, we'll work something out.  You don't have an email address in your profile or I'd have emailed you.

John,  Let us know what you find out.

Will do, I figure to just swap the DCDR and R2LC one at a time if nothing obvious is wrong.

Got the engine, replaced the R2LC, and it's behind me cleaning my track as a test.

I managed to get it working in conventional mode, but as soon as I applied a TMCC signal, no response. 

I put it in my TMCC test setup and it appeared to work.  However, I removed the antenna lead, and it stopped working.  Any other R2LC has no problem in the test set, even without the antenna connected here.  My suspicion is that it has a receiving issue.  The antenna in the engine was fine and properly connected.

Try another R2LC if you haven't already. Where's the antenna?

If you read the last post, I replaced the R2LC and the engine is already fixed.  I was checking the one I took out in my test setup.

Thanks to all, especially John.   Looking forward to getting her back.