Lionel 990 Command set repair

@RickM46 posted:

My 990 command set has started acting erratically.  It started with the scrolling feature (press the Eng key and then the Scroll key) to scroll to an engine number and it gives the error message 'Error Please Try Again'; then, after turning the remote on and off a few times, the remote would have the message Base Not Found and now that is solid.  Checked all connections and they are good.

I see where the 990 is no longer being produced.

Does anyone know if Lionel is still repairing them???

Rick:

Lionel repaired mine early this year. My issue was with the Command Base, but they had me send back the CAB-2 Remote Controller as well. Took about three weeks and the Command Set came back as good as new. Lionel paid the postage both ways and there was no charge for the repairs. Call Lionel first to get an RMA.

Pat

Call Lionel, I believe they're still fixing them.

Is the red LED just above the wheel on when you have the issues?  Sounds like a signal issue between the remote and base.  I know you said you've checked all the connections, but might want to verify the antenna is tightly screwed to the base and perhaps wiggle it a little.

If nothing helps, then I can confirm that as of a month ago, Lionel is repairing 990's no questions asked.

Thanks fellas, glad to hear that L is still repairing them.

BUT, made a bunch of rookie mistakes while dealing with the scrolling problems and the Base not Found issues:

While checking the base, I inadvertently pressed the channel button; and, while checking the connection from the base to the ZWL, disconnected the base from the transformer.  So, switched the base to channel 2 and re-scanned that into the remote; fixed the connection to the transformer; changed the batteries to a fresher Ni Hydride backup set and charged them.

Now, scrolling goes better, am not getting Base not Found.  Will stress it a bunch today.

Many thanks to the forum members; got excellent help from the members that guided me thru repairing the smoke unit on my Big Boy in 2019 - extreme patience and step by step help.

Just for the heck of it, I looked on the Bay for a 990; most are North of 1K.

Saw on the forum that Lionel is working on a new command system; saw there is a new Base 3 in the works.  Can anyone describe what components will be required for that system??

@RickM46 posted:

Saw on the forum that Lionel is working on a new command system; saw there is a new Base 3 in the works.  Can anyone describe what components will be required for that system??

A command base3 and your smart phone, no remote unless you have a cab1L or a legacy remote will work with the new command base.  But for the most part it’s meant to work with the new app on your phone.

@RickM46 posted:

Thanks fellas, glad to hear that L is still repairing them.

BUT, made a bunch of rookie mistakes while dealing with the scrolling problems and the Base not Found issues:

While checking the base, I inadvertently pressed the channel button; and, while checking the connection from the base to the ZWL, disconnected the base from the transformer.  So, switched the base to channel 2 and re-scanned that into the remote; fixed the connection to the transformer;

Now, scrolling goes better, am not getting Base not Found. 

Keep in mind there are 9 channels to choose from. It has been mentioned in the past that the higher channels tend to have a stronger signal, in the event you have any communication issues in the future.

Often times issues are the easy stuff, which is a good place to start.

I have had catastrophic engine failures fixed with a simple cleaning of the track.

Have come to the table kind of late.

So, you will need a smartphone with Android or Apple OSs; the Lionel App;  and the Base 3?  Read some articles on the forum and it looks like you will also be able to use the existing Cab2 remote with the Base 3 and a still available CAB1L.  I take it that the CAB1L will run Legacy locos that the Cab2 did?

Base 3 is planned to work with the app on any Android or Apple smart device (phone or tablet) the Cab-1L or the Cab-2.  Should therefore run any LionChief, TMCC or Legacy locos, as well as those equipped with Blue Tooth (all current production).

Thanks folks; now I have a clearer picture of the new Base 3; does anyone know what its model number is and if they are available?

Rick,

The new Base 3 part number is 2208010

Delivery is now June 2023 that was talked on about by Lionel Marketing recently ( I can not remember the source).

Carl J

And June is by no means assured!

Thanks CarlJ!!

Went up to TW and saw that it is available for pre-order and due to arrive Dec 31 2022:

https://www.trainworld.com/lio...10-lionel-base3.html

Looks like there is support for xferring your 990 Base engine info to the Base 3:    Memory module support - Included writable module to easily transfer your engine roster from your Base2 to your new Base3. Reads older Legacy engine orange modules.

@RickM46 posted:

Went up to TW and saw that it is available for pre-order and due to arrive Dec 31 2022:

Dream on Rick, that was the old date, no way they're coming in a month!

HEY!!  I like dreaming AND I often wander off into the weeds too!!  Right now I'm 'Dreaming of a White Christmas'!

Have been bouncing the remote and base on and off for a few hours; remote is back to normal; scrolling is instantaneous with no Error messages; and the set speed limit does not go away.

I did the following:  made sure all connections were correct; replaced the batteries with fresh ones and charged them; changed the channel from 1 and 2 to a final of 6 (thanks to RickO).  My guess: I think the prior batteries were weak.

Am going to consider the new Base 3 when it becomes available.

Thanks fellas, Merry Christmas!!

Has Lionel stop repairing the 990. Mine just died.  Can’t get it to do anything.  

@Stephen G posted:

Has Lionel stop repairing the 990. Mine just died.  Can’t get it to do anything.  

Call them.  They are until they ain't.  So far they are.

@Stephen G posted:

Has Lionel stop repairing the 990. Mine just died.  Can’t get it to do anything.  

Piggybacking on Marty's response, Lionel repaired mine around a year ago, at no cost. The entire process only took a couple of weeks. Call them first and ask for an RMA, which will cover the round trip shipping as well.

Pat

Yes, we are still courtesy repairing them. Just give us a call.

@Dave Olson posted:

Yes, we are still courtesy repairing them. Just give us a call.

Dave for the win!  Eventually they'll run out of parts but until they do keep calling.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Dream on Rick, that was the old date, no way they're coming in a month!

This movable date almost reminds me of the veranda years ago it took how long to get that delivered. I was almost retired and I ordered it when I was a teenager. Lmao

@ThatGuy posted:

This movable date almost reminds me of the veranda years ago it took how long to get that delivered. I was almost retired and I ordered it when I was a teenager. Lmao

That doesn't surprise me, the Veranda had a bunch of custom electronics, pretty unusual for the TMCC era.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

That doesn't surprise me, the Veranda had a bunch of custom electronics, pretty unusual for the TMCC era.

Very true……….with a rolling date.  Today tomorrow, next day.

My base quit charging again. Looks like I make a call "after" the Holidays!!

Trainz has the #994 charging base listed on eBay, it's way better than charging in the command base as it doesn't overheat the remote.  Auction: 296036927329

I don’t both using the charger unit in the 990 base. Regular Alkaline batteries work fine and the 3 bar battery strength on the remote does measure their battery life. I put electrical tape on the base charger prongs and have it turned off.

Thanks all of you.  Will call Lionel tomorrow.

@RickM46 posted:

Thanks CarlJ!!

Went up to TW and saw that it is available for pre-order and due to arrive Dec 31 2022:

https://www.trainworld.com/lio...10-lionel-base3.html

Looks like there is support for xferring your 990 Base engine info to the Base 3:    Memory module support - Included writable module to easily transfer your engine roster from your Base2 to your new Base3. Reads older Legacy engine orange modules.

You can get a lot of the answers you seek including the expected delivery date on Base 3 in the following video.