HELP stop flashing cab lights on my Lionel E8

Ray of sunshine posted:

I have a Lionel Legacy E8 #6-81219. With the smoke switch turned to OFF, on the engine, everything runs great. Cab lights go out when moving. However, when I move the smoke switch to ON, the cab lights start flashing continually, both in stop and when moving. Moving the switch back to NO SMOKE, the lights continue to flash. I have to reprogram the engine in order for the cab lights to stop flashing. 

Any idea why this is happening and how to stop it?

RAY

I purchased a Legacy GP30 that was a shelf queen at a local hobby shop. Brought it home and experienced what you are describing. I asked this very forum and if I recall it is related to a failing component, specifically the smkoke unit. I simply switched it off and never looked back. 

Smoke unit issue, most likely the fan.  Check carefully the blink pattern, three blinks in a group is the smoke fan motor, two blinks is the heater.

Done those and like John stated, sounds like the fan motor.

I guess there's still a few bad Lionel fan motors around.

John and other,

Yes the fan stopped working but the good news is: I removed the funnel over the fan motor and heater, took a small pick, moved the fan cage and low and behold, it started working. Ran it several times, and it's working great.

Must have just been stuck. 

RAY

You might try running a couple of fills of the JT's MegaSteam Eliminator through it.  It seems to have a beneficial effect on the fan bearings, even though they don't actually claim that in the marketing.

Sometimes trimming the gasket back around the motor fan blades and repositioning it will eliminate a smoke error code.