Genset headlight out...

I assume you already tried the AUX 2 button but I can't tell you how many times I've hit it inadvertantly and thought I had a bad bulb. I'd email Lionel as opposed to calling.

But doesn't it kind of make you long for the days when the headlight went out it really was a bad bulb?

 

Pete

Are both headlamp LED's not functioning at the one end, or are the headlights not working in either direction?

 

If it's both lights at one end, then it may be worth checking that the headlight lead is firmly plugged into the distribution pcb.  

If just one of the two lights in the headlamp is out, then it may be a failed LED in the headlamp unit.

If all of the headlamps at both ends are not working, then it probably is some software setting to blame.

I did check the plug and just the front headlite is not working. Fwd/Rev lights the rear appropriately, but the front headlite never comes on. I have tried the aux2 also and it turns on and off the two lower lamps on the front, but not the headlite.

I tried to measure the voltage going to the LEDs by sticking a pin into the wires and got no voltage. So I think the LEDs are ok...hate to say it, but seems more like a blown triac or whatever they use.

I thought I'd post just to see if maybe there was some control I didn't think of. I also tried 1.3 version and then back to 1.5 because it didn't change anything.

I'd still suspect the headlamp unit itself, or the wiring harness/plug rather than anything more complex. It is possible for LED's to fail quickly, but unusual for two to fail together like this. I recently had a MARS lamp LED fail after a couple of weeks in one of my F3 units. Fortunately, these are a dream to work on, and it was a simple job to unsolder the offending LED and pop in a new one. (In fact it took far longer to find one with the right colour white, than it did to swap the LED.)

I'd call Lionel and see if there's something else we're all overlooking.

I tried to tell you there was a reason why the CN engines were priced cheaper! You get what you pay for Chuck.

Congratulations Chuck.  I'm happy to hear that you found the culprit and fixed it OK. I hope that this will be the end of your problems, and you'll get many years of pleasure from your Genset. 

Way to go Chuck! I knew you could solve the problem. Lionel made sure that this fixeruper landed into your hands.

..... hands.

I got the windows from Lionel Service free of charge. Quick service. Installed them so now the engineer can take her goggles off when running the train...

A round of applause for Nicole, too!  She is one sharp cookie!