Lionel Legacy 4-6-0 Sound Problem!

It sounds like you're running in conventional mode.  What happens if you ONLY put the tender on the rails and then power up and try the whistle and/or bell control on the transformer?

What is the exact Lionel Product number of your locomotive?

Besides making sure TMCC is on, check that the engine drawbar is lined up with the tenders drawbar. If its not all the way in the slot you will get this symptom.

Pete

For conventional with no TMCC/Legacy signal on the tracks, the tender should react to the whistle/bell no matter where the drawbar is.  It should also react if you only put the tender on the track.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It sounds like you're running in conventional mode.  What happens if you ONLY put the tender on the rails and then power up and try the whistle and/or bell control on the transformer?

What is the exact Lionel Product number of your locomotive?

It’s the SKU: 2131080

also I placed the tender on the track and it makes sound but no whistle or bell noise, once I placed the loco on the track nothing happens.

What transformer being used to might also help figure out the issue.  Especially if running in conventional (transformer) mode.

If the tender along doesn't react to the transformer whistle or bell, does it work with other locomotives?  What transformer would indeed be good information.

Would/could the Bluetooth be keeping it from reacting to transformer mode?

@DaveGG posted:

What transformer being used to might also help figure out the issue.  Especially if running in conventional (transformer) mode.

I don’t have a legacy remote yet as I’m still getting into the hobby. The locomotive is placed on an 4x8 loop and the power supply being used is a LionChief power supply. The locomotive has Bluetooth feature on as I’ve tried with the Lionel app and I have a Lionel universal remote that I’ve been using. I don’t know if that’s the issue of not having a legacy remote to try and get it up and running properly.

Does it work with either the Universal Remote or the BT app?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Does it work with either the Universal Remote or the BT app?

Yes the engine runs with both. The tender makes just the at stop noise, but no other sounds work with either one.

It sounds like you have an IR tether issue.

Take your digital camera (phone?) and point it directly at the locomotive drawbar IR transmitter.  You should see a purple glow in the viewfinder when the locomotive is powered up.  If so, the issue is probably the tender IR receiver.  Many times I've found a poor solder joint under the heatshrink, a tug on the wires coming from the IR receiver will tell you if that's the issue.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It sounds like you have an IR tether issue.

Take your digital camera (phone?) and point it directly at the locomotive drawbar IR transmitter.  You should see a purple glow in the viewfinder when the locomotive is powered up.  If so, the issue is probably the tender IR receiver.  Many times I've found a poor solder joint under the heatshrink, a tug on the wires coming from the IR receiver will tell you if that's the issue

i don’t see the purple light. Also, I unboxed this and saw the electrical tape on there. Is that something I should remove?

Do not remove the "electrical tape".  Lionel uses shrink wrap to hold the IR sensors in place.

You have to be DIRECTLY in-line with the engine IR emitter to see it.  You're too far off-axis to see the indication.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

You have to be DIRECTLY in-line with the engine IR emitter to see it.  You're too far off-axis to see the indication.

This is probably one of my issues as I don’t see that purple light at all on the locomotives or the tender.

You will need to use your phone, etc.  Your eye alone can not see this.

PeytonM97 stated a Lionchief power supply is being used. I don't think those work with Legacy models do they? Are those power supplies not DC power only? I think Legacy models run on AC power.

Brad

Brad,

I think you are right.  While it will run, there will be lack of sounds, etc.

@B rad posted:

PeytonM97 stated a Lionchief power supply is being used. I don't think those work with Legacy models do they? Are those power supplies not DC power only? I think Legacy models run on AC power.

Brad

Maybe that’s the issue this is my first legacy locomotive. All my others have been LionChief. So with that being said, is the any recommendations on what kind of power supply would work to see if that is the main issue here?

@PeytonM97 posted:

This is probably one of my issues as I don’t see that purple light at all on the locomotives or the tender.

You'll never see it on the tender, that's a receiver.  However, since you're trying to run on DC power, perhaps that's an issue.  You certainly can't run in conventional mode with DC, but I've never tried it with BT.

From the 10-Wheeler User's Manual.

I can verify that even on straight DC, the IR transmitter in the locomotive is glowing on my 10-wheeler, so if you don't have anything happening there, it sounds broken.  However, I understand the tender not responding, if you are powering with DC, it obviously is ignoring any DC offset as that's an oxymoron with DC power on the tracks!

@PeytonM97 posted:

Maybe that’s the issue this is my first legacy locomotive. All my others have been LionChief. So with that being said, is the any recommendations on what kind of power supply would work to see if that is the main issue here?

I'd look at a Lionel 180 Watt power supply (fixed power supply) or the Lionel CW80 transformer.  I like the MTH Z4000 transformers, but those are selling high and will be more than you need now.  The Lionel 180 watt power supply (used) will run ~$110 to $130. or so.  At least with this unit, you can grow with it.

You could also start with the Lionel CW80.  If you outgrow this transformer, you can re-propose to powering accessories, siding, test track, etc.