Screen Problem with Legacy Controller

I just had one of mine repaired for the center row of buttons non-functional.  They looked fine, just no sensing of touches.  It was a pretty quick turn-around, I was suitably impressed.  My other CAB2 has been knocked around quite a lot, still 100% functional.

I see this post is a little old, however...I'd like to ask. I have a Legacy 990 system I purchased 2 years ago, exhibiting similar screen issues. Does Lionel still provide service on the product? My issue started in a fashion similar to others. Everything was working fine up till last week when I remember the display offered a contrast selection of 1-9. I pushed the 7 button, and the touch screen went blank. Then I noticed when I looked at the touch screen from a severe side angle, I could see the keypad numbers, but from straight on, it was a "whiteout". within minutes, the top screen went blank. Now, everything is blank. Batteries checked OK, lights on the base seem normal, but the Cab2 remote is useless. Help?

Contact Lionel, last time I heard, they were still fixing these under an extended warranty.

I have the same issue. So far it seems to function fine, but I have no doubt it will get worse.

About 3 weeks ago, I sent in my controller and it was back in a week. They’ll send you out a label and return repaired item in the same container. So, yes they still repair at no charge and relatively quick.

You have to call them, get a return number and send the unit to them

Thanks all.

To Ironman...unfortunately, my experience is....it will

Both of mine do this on and off.  Sometimes the line comes and goes as I slide the brake slider.  Buttons keep working, so I haven't bothered to send them back, one of which had already gone back for a different reason.  Probably a cold solder join as it goes away on mine after the controller has been on for a while.

The lines in the display are most likely issues with the Zebra strip that connects the LCD to the PCB.  It's a rubber-like strip with alternating conductive and non-conductive layers that are held in place by pressure and transfers the electrical signals from the PCB to the LCD.

May CAB-2 just developed the same vertical line shown in the first post.

Has anyone had success in opening up the remote and pressing down on the connector or other  fix?

So how does the zebra strip affect or effect the function as long as you can still see the icons?

My screen buttons still work just fine, I have have not worried about it on my remotes.

@Professor Chaos posted:

May CAB-2 just developed the same vertical line shown in the first post.

Has anyone had success in opening up the remote and pressing down on the connector or other  fix?

Since Lionel is still honoring the warranty, I would not chance taking it apart.

Based on your name, you might want to anyway.  I loved Jack Lemmon and Peter Falk in that movie.