Vision line 4014 Bigboy problem

Make sure the IR sensors  are matched up on the tender to the engine.  They also might be dusty.  If they are not aligned properly the tender sounds do come on when power is displayed.  Hope this helps.

Hi las57. thanks for your suggestions.

I removed the tender from the track w no changes, still have only basic engine sound affects. Seems like there is no power going to the engine other than lights and basic sounds.

jim r

Hi Jim

This sounds like an antenna or control board issue, what usually happens it there's a control board that mounts on top of the RCMC. This board either comes loose or the pins break that connect it to the RCMC, I'll look for an old thread i had and I'll show you the items I'm talking about.

Alex

RCMC DRIVER BOARD

Jim this RCMC happens to be mounted sideways in this engine, the control board I'm talking about is sitting right on the RCMC. This is the board that's usually the trouble.

Hi Alex.

Missed meeting up w you at York in October.

Anyhow, is there any way I can check this board wo taking the whole cab apart to observe. If it were a pinched wire, how can I tell? Just so I know what board I'm looking at, can you define it and it location better. If something is fried, will it be obvious to the untrained eye?

All my other Vision engines have more running time and are older than this Bigboy. Also, it been sitting for a couple months in the exact same place on the layout where it was last used. How or why would this happen.

Thanks Alex for your help.

jim r

Hi Jim 

yes I missed you at this past York. 

There's a lot going on inside this engine and I don't recommend taking the shell off. But believe it or not the VL BB is one of the easiest shells to open up, just be extra careful not to pull any wires 

There's only 4 screws that hold the top boiler on, two in front and two in the rear. Once those are removed carefully lift the top shell off, these controls board sometimes work there way loose off the RCMC board. Stand by I'm going to post close up photos of one I have here 

Alex 

Hi Jim 

Here's a quick video. 

Hard to say everything in the video , also check the antenna wire to see if its pinched. Also have to make sure the shell isn't hitting the antenna. But I still think it's that control board. 

Alex 

Alex. You are the man!

Thanks for all of the info, Will give it a go and will get back to you as I progress.

You and your family have a great holiday season.

jim r

Does it run in conventional?  This is a very simple engine to work on.

Hi Marty.

Just checked it now, Runs forward only in conventional. Hope that means something positive.

Easy for the experts like yourself, I'm no expert by any means

Is the switch in run or program? G

Any progress JIM?  Please let us know what is going on with your BB.  Good Luck.

Bridgeboss Jim posted:

Hi Marty.

Just checked it now, Runs forward only in conventional. Hope that means something positive.

Easy for the experts like yourself, I'm no expert by any means

Hmm...  If it only runs forward in conventional, check the PGM/RUN switch, sounds like it's locked into a direction.  Make sure it's in RUN for command operation.

Hi Guys.

Yes, it is in the run position in the command mode.

John, Is there a way of checking and an easy fix if the switch might be locked?

thanks all for your ideas and assistance.

jim r

Mine did the exact same thing, only it didn't move at all in conventional.  I have since sent the RCMC to Lionel for them to test after contacting them.  I'll update my thread after I hear back from Lionel and hopefully have a running locomotive again.

I am very suspicious of the TMCC receiver perched on the RCMC, as that's where the PGM/RUN switch would be routed.  First thing I'd check is if it's properly seated and all the pins are intact, they're quite prone to breaking.  That's the small board that Alex pointed out.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Bridgeboss Jim posted:

Hi Marty.

Just checked it now, Runs forward only in conventional. Hope that means something positive.

Easy for the experts like yourself, I'm no expert by any means

Hmm...  If it only runs forward in conventional, check the PGM/RUN switch, sounds like it's locked into a direction.  Make sure it's in RUN for command operation.

That is what I said. .

The easy test for a broke switch is visual, and a meter to check that it shows and open and a closed when moved.

Your in the swap component mod, but if it will only run one direction conventional, even with Radio removed, I think you have a RCMC board issue.  G

I didn't hear he took the TMCC receiver off, that would change things.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I didn't hear he took the TMCC receiver off, that would change things.

He did not, I am giving him a method to help isolate a RCMC issue. G