My Lionel #18045 Commodore Vandy on life support!!! Help

Might be a tether problem. If the serial data wire has lost connection with the tender you will get engine sounds but no whistle or bell.

Disconnect power from your bases and see if you can generate whistle and bell using the transformer.

Pete

Norton posted:

Might be a tether problem. If the serial data wire has lost connection with the tender you will get engine sounds but no whistle or bell.

Disconnect power from your bases and see if you can generate whistle and bell using the transformer.

Pete

Thanks Peter,  I reprogrammed the 18045 with the super secret lionel reset codes....lol.  It worked perfectly!  It appears my Cab1 is messed up totally.  I can start a locomotive but the wheel wont get the engine 

moving.  Wish there was a way to reprogram that nut.......Any ideas on how to fix that piece.....I put all the old loco's on the track that was used to clear their memory of "stall" and "momentum" but still get

nothing.  

Larry

Larry,

    Time to invest in a new Legacy unit if the Cab1 is the problem.  Or pick up a used Cab1 unit off E-bay for reasonable money.  I love my Legacy Cab2.

PCRR/Davw

Larry, this seems to be the common failure mode of the Cab1. Mine has not broken yet so I have not tried to fix any but it might be the optical interupter which is what the red knob drives. Might cost more to fix than a replacement unless you fix it yourself. They show up here and on the auction sites frequently.

Pete

Thank you Pete.  

Dont know how to fix so I will scrap it and get a legacy cab1

larry

BTW have to tried new batteries yet?

Pete

Yes. Batteries are new.   

If I turn the he red wheel for several minutes it will get the loco creeping.  If I hit “boost” she goes pretty good.  But as soon as I let go of boost button she stops

As a last resort you an open it up and make sure everything is clean around the underside of the knob. Usually it either works or not. Curious that it will move if you turn the knob a lot.

while you have it open you can clean the carbon contacts under the push buttons. Use alcohol and and a cotton swab. Probably won't have any effect on the knob problem but nothing to lose. Construction is simple. No need to be concerned about putting it back together again.

Pete

Will try and advise

thanks pete

Silly question, but is the momentum set on low?

Yes 

Did you have the body off? Are all the handrail insulators present?