I bought one of these AB sets recently on one of the on-line auctions. The set was in like new condition and appears to hardly ever been run. I've encountered some problems with the B unit (6-18139) that contains the Railsounds and TMCC features. Here's the problem.
When I set the ID of the B unit (ENG ## SET), instead of getting a horn toot, I get a continuous Beeeeep that will not stop until I turn off the power. That's not right. The unit does accept the ID if I quickly turn off power, move the program switch back to RUN, place the B unit back on the track and apply power. Have to do this quickly. The AB units run properly and all the Railsounds operate correctly. Everything works fine as long as I do not turn off the power.
If I turn off power, the B unit appears to loose its ID and will not function properly when I power it up again. Can't blow horn, ring bell, use crew talk or tower talk, etc. Can hear the prime mover but it runs kind of randomly and I have no control over it. The only way to get proper operation restored is to reset the ID of the B unit, place it on the track and apply power quickly.
The powered A and dummy Railsounds B units are set to the same ID. I never have to reset the A unit. The TMCC unit, speed controller, front coupler of the A unit work perfectly from its own TMCC electronics components. However, if the B unit is unpowered for more than a few seconds or so, I have to reset the ID everytime I use it.
I assume the culprit is the LCRX/TMCC board,
6108124110 | LCRX / TMCC FOR DUMMY UNITS (LTS, CPLR, STROBE) |
as shown on the Lionel support web site. Should I try replacing the board, or should I be looking at something else. If so what? I assume the ENG ID ## is stored in flash memory on this board and that function is failing somehow.
Would appreciate any advice or recommendations from Forumites who have insight to this issue.
Regards,
Ken