I'm over my head with a new R4LC board

How about the exact product number?

Are you sure the handrails are not touching the metal shell? That would ground the command signal.
Also, could be your motor driver board has a fried transistor? The actual board needs to be totally isolated from the heat sink.

@UP332 posted:

The interior cab light flashes, the head light does not. I suspect that is an indication of some type of error code.

The R4LC equipped Legacy models have no error codes.  I suspect this is because you programmed the engine type incorrectly, try AUX1 / "2" for a diesel Legacy engine type.

So the new R4LC board has all Command functions except motion.  The old one has no Command function but moves in conventional?

Is this a Legacy engine and did you get a Legacy R4LC?  ERR R4LC is TMCC based.  G

A pic of the new board too.  So we can see what Radio Board you got.

Thank everyone for their responses.

The engine is the AF 4-6-6-4 Challenger. I'm guessing the product number, as printed on the manual is 74-8082-250. It is capable of operating via Legacy or TMCC. I have TMCC. I have reprogrammed it per the instructions for "Reprogramming your locomotive to restore features":

Switch in program position, ENG and enter ID#1, SET (at which point the whistle blows), ENG and ID#1, AUX1, #1 again. Turn off power, wait 10 Secs. Slide switch to run position. Every function appears to work, except running. And the crew cab light keeps blinking.

If I reinstall the old board it only runs in conventional mode.

The new board is an ERR R4LC CO8 board.

No, the product number is on the box as a rule, most start with a 6-.  For example, this is one AF Challenger: 6-48084 Union Pacific LEGACY 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3977 (GRAY)

You have a TMCC R4LC, you MUST buy a real Legacy R4LC in order to fix that one.  You have the wrong board.

This may be moot at this point, but the engine product number is 6-48083.

I've attached pictures of the old and new boards. Again, in my ignorance, the boards appear to be the same. If not, where can I purchase the correct board?

The base R4LC, but the software and data stream needs to be legacy to work correctly with your Motor driver board.  You have the TMCC version.  Flip over your original R4LC and there should be a decal with a code.  R4LC S03 as example.  Is your engine the AF type?  That used an S05.  I have one if Lionel is out of them.  I can be contact via email (in profile), but again you need to be sure what you need.  G

Thanks for the help. However, there is no decal on the chip on the back side of the board!! The new board has a decal: R4LC CO8-S01.

The engine is an American Flyer. I don't know how to be sure what I need. I'll try a search on the Lionel site again.

GGG, I would like to purchase the S05 Code board you have. I just emailed you. Thanks!

@GGG posted:

I have one if Lionel is out of them.  I can be contact via email (in profile), but again you need to be sure what you need.  G

Lionel has no R4LC boards available, and apparently never will again.

A new, correct board is on the way, thanks to GGG.

But this begs the question: Accidents happen from time to time, in my case I'm not really sure what caused the short, and the fast blow fuse blew as it should, but the board was damaged. What does one do in the future if there is a problem that fries a board? I'm tempted to put my TMCC engines on a shelf and just run the ones without all the electronics.

It seems like a good business opportunity for someone with the skill and know-how produce the obsolete boards. (Just sayin'

@UP332 posted:

A new, correct board is on the way, thanks to GGG.

But this begs the question: Accidents happen from time to time, in my case I'm not really sure what caused the short, and the fast blow fuse blew as it should, but the board was damaged. What does one do in the future if there is a problem that fries a board? I'm tempted to put my TMCC engines on a shelf and just run the ones without all the electronics.

What would be the point of that?  Run them until they drop, then put them on the shelf.   Besides, I have replacement TMCC R2LC boards and Legacy R4LC  boards, so all is not lost until folks like me run out.

@UP332 posted:

It seems like a good business opportunity for someone with the skill and know-how produce the obsolete boards. (Just sayin'

Not as easy as it seems, not to mention the issues of Lionel licensing.

Not to extend this topic, but obviously we all have different outlooks on the hobby. I got restarted for my grandkids who are all in their 20s and 30s and are no longer interested, and there are no great grandkids on the horizon. I have just entered my 8th decade and am actually thinking about selling off some of my holdings. So in my case, a fully functional engine is worth far more than one I ran till it drops. I certainly will run it on occasion, but carefully, and hopefully not till it drops.

I understand there may be issues with Lionel licensing, but in my ignorance, I wouldn't think there would be a problem repairing those boards with off the shelf components.

I envy those of you who are lucky enough, or knowledgeable enough, to have the wherewithal to repair the electronics, or have a stockpile of them.

@UP332 posted:

I understand there may be issues with Lionel licensing, but in my ignorance, I wouldn't think there would be a problem repairing those boards with off the shelf components.

I envy those of you who are lucky enough, or knowledgeable enough, to have the wherewithal to repair the electronics, or have a stockpile of them.

I know of no licensing issues with repairing products, that's a whole different ball of wax! I repair lots of Lionel and MTH boards, and I can't imagine that being a licensing issue.

The suggestion was to make an all new compatible R4LC board, that would be much different than repairing an R4LC.