Lionel Legacy SD70MAC- coupler constantly open/firing

StevefromPAOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

My preorder for a CSX 777 Legacy SD70MAC came about 2 weeks ago. This item is Product # 2233041. Was EXTREMELY excited for this loco! However, when I put it on the track, it’d buzz LOUDLY. So I didn’t keep it on the track for more than a minute

Shortly, I realized that the rear coupler was constantly firing- it was constantly open and it won’t close(I tried to close it with my finger by applying the normal amount of pressure to close a coupler, no dice).
Any suggestions? anyone ever encounter before? Would a factory be appropriate- such as the one below:

could try it at the front of a MU/lash-up and see what happens, as well.

I talked to the dealer from whom I bought it- they could fix it but I’d pay shipping. I could send it to Lionel and get an RMA but don’t know how long the wait would be as I’ve never sent anything to Lionel.

Any help/advice VERY MUCH appreciated

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5/4/2210:19 AM

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Bruce SpectorOGR Forum Member

I just got my legacy SD38 Back from Lionel repair. It took 5 weeks. Lionel did a great repair job. The SD38 had several issues right out of the box. I also have the Legacy SD70MAC BNSF MERGER. Its one of the very best Legacy engines!

5/4/2211:17 AM

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StevefromPAOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

@Bruce Spector Undoubtedly I want to keep this SD70mac- the BNsF you mentioned is from the same batch. They all appear VERY well made! I guess I’ll give Lionel repair a shot if the factory reset and lash up don’t work.

ironically, a loco I just returned was an SD38 which had issues with sound.

5/4/2211:58 AM

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Cogen1981OGR Forum Member

Had similar issue on Lionel Legacy CP GP35 produced 10 years ago

the coupler would occasionally open up without command

sent it to Lionel for warranty repair, they found the wiring to the coupler was shorting out

look for exposed wire\ worn insulation making contact with grounded component

5/4/221:19 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Top suspect is indeed a short in the coupler wire. You want to STOP running this until you resolve this as it is likely to cook the RCMC. It may have already done that, so I'd box it up and send it to Lionel.

5/4/221:44 PM

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Cogen1981OGR Forum Member

@gunrunnerjohn posted:
Top suspect is indeed a short in the coupler wire. You want to STOP running this until you resolve this as it is likely to cook the RCMC. It may have already done that, so I'd box it up and send it to Lionel.

A few years later I did have a RCMC failure, not sure if the coupler wire shorting was factor or the board getting drenched with smoke fluid

5/4/221:50 PM

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StevefromPAOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

@gunrunnerjohn thank you so much for your help and advice!! I appreciate it and will begin my first Lionel return Asap... also, if I ever would have run it since, I would have made sure the 2 molex in the truck were unplugged from the main boards. Disabling and quieting the coupler.

appreciate the help from everyone in this thread. Certainly know my course of action now!

5/4/226:42 PM

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