Legacy 990

Don't know if it would cause what you are seeing, but did you turn off the 'charging' switch on the bottom of the base?  If using standard (not rechargeable) batteries, you should turn that switch to 'off'.

Lionel has an extended warranty on the 990. No end point, so they will fix it for you.  And depending on it’s vintage, it may need a charging update to the base.

Yes I have turned off the charging on the base.

Chuck:

what do you mean by a charging update to the base?  A software update?

I don’t know, but it’s either firm wear or hardware. Lionel did insist on doing it to mine even though I wasn’t having any issue. I think many have though.

Give Lionel a call.  They'll send you an RA to send it back to them.  As Chuck mentioned they will also check your charging circuit.  The Cab2 works fine with rechargeable batteries and is always ready.

Have you tried the rechargeable batteries that come with 990 and letting them get charged up.

Maybe one of the battery connections has been affected by Gremlins! 

Stuff happens sometimes for nor apparent reason, I had to fight with my DCS controller for 2 months before it decided break time was over (its from 2009).