Error code on New Lionel 4877 Vision GG1 and smke unit.

Are you running in command or conventional mode?

For the smoke - did you press the + key on your Legacy remote?   You need to do that to turn the smoke on.  I didn't at fist and MartyE was kind enough to fill me in.  In terms of how many drops, I added 20 and it was the right amount. 

Peter

Yes I have read the manual and pressed the + key several times and the smoke switch is ON on the engine. Maybe it is a bit overfilled. Not sure. It was working. Thanks.

I am runnin

bmoran4 posted:

Are you running in command or conventional mode?

I am running in command mode using the Cab 2 remote.

PJB posted:

For the smoke - did you press the + key on your Legacy remote?   You need to do that to turn the smoke on.  I didn't at fist and MartyE was kind enough to fill me in.  In terms of how many drops, I added 20 and it was the right amount. 

Peter

Yes I have read the manual and pressed the + key several times and the smoke switch is ON on the engine. Maybe it is a bit overfilled. Not sure. It was working. Thanks.

First, I would make sure the smoke unit is working.  Turn the sound off the listen for the smoke motor.  Assuming that it is working, try blowing, gentility, down the filler tube.  If you added 20 drops, or less, it is unlikely that you overfilled it.  Just in case, let it run for about 15 minutes.  If you still have nothing turn it off and let it cool (don't add fluid to a hot smoke unit).  Add a little fluid (10 drops) - even a little fluid should give you some smoke.  If you get smoke add fluid a little at a time to get consistent smoke.  If you still have no smoke you have a defective smoke unit.  Call Lionel and get an RA.  Lionel will pay the freight both ways.

I have not seen the blinking cab light with a slow speed start.  I have the VL GG1, a VL Bigboy and a couple of other Legacy locos.  The cab light blink codes have a pause between pulses, also the locomotive will not move until you correct the problem.  Since you are moving I would look for dirty track or a loose connection.  If it continues, and you have to send it to Lionel for the smoke unit, mention it to them and let them check it.

Finally, the cab light is designed to turn off when the locomotive is moving.  It simulates the real world Rule 17.

Good luck.

The single blinking indicates a drive train issue.  Especially if it happens when pulling or in one direction.

Danr posted:

First, I would make sure the smoke unit is working.  Turn the sound off the listen for the smoke motor.  Assuming that it is working, try blowing, gentility, down the filler tube.  If you added 20 drops, or less, it is unlikely that you overfilled it.  Just in case, let it run for about 15 minutes.  If you still have nothing turn it off and let it cool (don't add fluid to a hot smoke unit).  Add a little fluid (10 drops) - even a little fluid should give you some smoke.  If you get smoke add fluid a little at a time to get consistent smoke.  If you still have no smoke you have a defective smoke unit.  Call Lionel and get an RA.  Lionel will pay the freight both ways.

I have not seen the blinking cab light with a slow speed start.  I have the VL GG1, a VL Bigboy and a couple of other Legacy locos.  The cab light blink codes have a pause between pulses, also the locomotive will not move until you correct the problem.  Since you are moving I would look for dirty track or a loose connection.  If it continues, and you have to send it to Lionel for the smoke unit, mention it to them and let them check it.

Finally, the cab light is designed to turn off when the locomotive is moving.  It simulates the real world Rule 17.

Good luck.

 

 

 

Good Advise! Thank You I will work through your suggestions today and post the results.  First thing I am going to do is clean the tracks as this might cause the problem as you suggest.  I was also trying to figure about how big a consist one of these engines can actually pull.  I have all of those new 21 inch PRR Broadway Limited cars on order and I assume the engine will be able to handle them.  (The availability of these cars seems to have been delayed and I dont even know when they are scheduled for release). The earlier 16 inch Congressional Cars I'm using seems to have a fair amount of drag on them given their design and they are pretty heavy.  Maybe that is an issue. One other thing, do you have any idea about how long 20 drops of smoke fluid will actually generate smoke assuming continuous running.  I am always guessing how much is left in the smoke unit but dont want to add to much but on the other hand dont want to run it down to nothing.  Thanks again for your helpful comments,  

MartyE posted:

The single blinking indicates a drive train issue.  Especially if it happens when pulling or in one direction.

Right Uunderstand. When it does move, it runs fine. See my other response to a comment . First thing I am gong to do is clean the tracks. They are not terribly dirty however at least it is a start to try and trouble shoot this issue.

I have had it pull about 30 freight cars (mostly modern) with no problem.  I have also pull 8 passenger cars, a mix of MTH, Weaver and Kline; again no problem.  If the the cab light continues to give you one blink at a regular interval, there may be something else binding.  If that is the case let Lionel fix it.

I suspect it won't go away on its own but it doesn't hurt to try some things.

A video of the blinking so we could see the cadence would be very useful.

I wonder if the smoke unit is set to auto or manual...

From the manual,

The smoke unit can be switched into a more prototypical mode of operation. This is done during locomotive programming. Put the RUN/PRG switch into PRG, select the engine number and press set. Then press “AUX1” and “9”. Then move the RUN/PRG switch back to RUN. The smoke unit will now turn on for 45 seconds and then turn off for approximately 5 minutes before turning back on for 45 seconds. This cycle repeats. Pressing the reset button will restart this cycle. Also, turning the smoke unit off (key 8) and back on again (key 9) will also restart the cycle. To reset the original smoke unit operation of continuous running, reprogram the engine using the above sequence without entering the “AUX1” and “9” keys.

And,

Command mode: The smoke can be turned on by pressing the “9” key on a CAB-1 or CAB-1L controller, or the “+” key on a CAB-2 remote. By default, the smoke unit will stay on until the user turns it off by pressing the “8” key on the CAB-1 or CAB-1L controller, or the “-“ key on the CAB-2 remote.