Cab2 Handheld Problems and Symptoms

One of the buttons on one of the Cab2s, most likely the one you removed the batteries from, is sticking and sending commands.  From the sounds of it, the most likely culprit is the boost rocker.  I would put the batteries back in and see if the action continues.  If so rock the switch back and forth to see if it's just a little dirty.

Also if it's the boost button you will see a small arrow up above the engine select button in the display.

Marty,  thanks for the advice.  So I cleaned the boost brake wheel assembly with plastic safe electrical contact cleaner QD  by CRC.    The controller is working but I still have some gremlins.  The controller will revert to CAB1/TMCC mode even with Legacy engines that are programmed in ?   I got my new v1.60 or V1.61 modules today from Lionel.  My Legacy system is currently at V1.52 both controllers and the base.  

After reviewing some Lionel support technical information, it appears that the CAB2 in question may not have gotten the required factory upgrade by Lionel.  It doesn't have the Silver paint mark in the left hand battery tray location.   Ironically is appears to have a small 1/8 inch diameter silver paint mark in the recess under the battery cover removal tab.  Don't know if that signifies that the factory upgrade was done or not.  My other remote that is working well definitely has the silver touch up paint in the battery tray under the Left hand batter position.  

Cleaning the brake boost controller wheel/rocker made all the really ugly flashing red LED's go away, so thanks very much for the tip.   Chris

If it already has 1.52 running on it you’ll be fine. The in house upgrade was only for the original legacy sets from 2007-2008 that came out with the JLC big boy. In order to load V1.1 on them.  

 I’ve had the throttle advance on it’s own. Blamed it on the combination of the switch that controls boost , brake and direction. Usually it would occur after using the direction button. I’ve since resorted to using the throttle to change directions. I bring the engine to a stop using the brake. Then a quick spin of the throttle backwards will change the engines direction. Still have glitches at times. When it happens. I notice an = symbol rather than an arrow. Not sure what that means. 
 I feel the weak link to the remote is that switch. To much going on in one component. With modern engines. Other than for programming certain features. I have no use for the boost feature that accelerates a train to full voltage.

Dave_C posted:

 I feel the weak link to the remote is that switch. To much going on in one component. With modern engines. Other than for programming certain features. I have no use for the boost feature that accelerates a train to full voltage.

Amen, brother.  You'd think Lionel would have avoided multi-function controls considering the well-known problems MTH had with its thumbwheel.  I too have Zero use for boost or brake.  I've never taken a CAB-2 apart.  But I wonder if there's an easy way to modify the remote internally, disabling everything but the "Push-for-direction" function?

Well just a bit of perspective, my Legacy system is an original first batch and never had the issue.  But it seems to be the cause of most of the symptoms like you described.

I have developed the same problem with the brake boost button . Being not to tech savvy how is the best way to clean?

I had the same problems/ symptoms as 'Chris a' reported with my CAB-2. I did my research using this forum and I wanted to say thank you to everyone for your input. I used the CRC QD electronic spray cleaner bought at my local auto parts store and cleaned/ sprayed the brake/boost wheel on my CAB-2 and it fixed the issue. Again, thanks to everyone for making this forum a valuable resource.