Chuff issue on Polar Express 84328, factory sealed box

Is the drawbar lined up perfectly?

The drawbar fits in very tightly. Not a whole lot of room to skew it one way or another.  I used a lot of finger pressure to seat it in.  I even used a dab of CAIG DeoxIT Gold G5 Spray Contact Conditioner. 

lionelbob posted:

Just got a factory sealed 84328 Polar Express and the chuff stops and starts.  I 've read about a cherry switch being the cause.  I bought it at Allentown from Just Trains.  Do I send it back to them? Send it to Lionel? Pop the screws / void warranty and see if I can adjust the cherry switch?

They are an IR detector on the LionChief Polars - not a cherry switch. If it is not a connector issue with the tender I would call Just Trains and ask them how to handle the problem. It is mounted just behind the front drive axle facing  the smoke puffer cam.

I sent one back to Lionel - the first LionChief version - it is an alignment issue.

I would check to confirm the wiring harness connector is properly installed in the IR detector. I have seen this not installed completely on a few LionChief steamers

If that was Just Trains of Delaware they are very good to deal with. Give them a call. If it has a warranty don't touch it until you do.

Yes, so far Just Trains of Delaware have been stellar.  I sent the bad one back, and Pete will swap it out for another one from the Lionel Distributor.  I decided not to touch it, but from information shared here, it will help when and if I need to do it down the road.  Thanks for all the replies.