Legacy 990 Base issues

When are you powering up the base?

If base signal does not reach the track before track power engines will drop into conventional starting sounds, but not responding.

I.E. if you have the transformer and base both plugged into a power trip that your turning on . The power might be getting to the track first.

Try powering the base before the transformer.

Hi Rick, thanks for the response. The base is powered up. Since my post I have tested another Lionel locomotive with no issue. I am going to try a brand new locomotive that I have been waiting to run as I redid my wiring on my layout in hopes to resolved this legacy issue. I will reply back with an update. My next option with the problematic locomotive is a factory reset.

OK tried another legacy locomotive. After watching some videos they did a factory reset. And in program mode I finally got to the point where once I hit the set button the locomotive sounded. I then powered down the locomotive/track power. Switched the locomotive over to run. Powered back up, entered in locomotive ID. Hit the power button And nothing.

It’s possible that your signal out of your base is/has become too weak for reliable operating. I’ve had that happen and had to send the 990 system in for repair.

There have been forum threads on how to measure your base output. You might do a search on the forum for info on those methods.

Thanks cjack! I will do research based on your recommendation. Thank you for chiming in on a Sunday. Super frustrating as I spent a great deal of time converting my wiring from solid core to stranded utilizing terminal blocks to connect to the bus as well as all of my drops on the way out. In hopes that this would address the issue. Oh well good things come to those to troubleshoot.

Another simple thing to check is on occasion the binding post will become loose and at the worst the solder will break off the pad making an intermittent connection for the signal.

Hi Zhubi, Thanks for the input. Are you referring to the binding post on the legacy base?

@awp34 posted:

Hi Zhubi, Thanks for the input. Are you referring to the binding post on the legacy base?

yes, you'd have to open the back of the base witch isn't hard just don't flip it over after it's apart because there are little holders that keep the decretive grates held up at the top left and right of the base. need-less to say if they fall out they can be a PITA to put back in.

My self & another S gauge friend have had programming issues & it turned out to be wire loose on the program -run switch.

      Bob G.

Thanks Bob,

Unfortunately this has been an ongoing issue. I called Lionel support today and they provided me with a shipping label and an RA number. I sent it off. Hopefully they will be able to resolve the issue. I will keep you posted when I receive my unit back. Who knows how long that’s going to be. Thank you all for chiming in and helping me with troubleshooting.

I sent one in recently and it came back fixed in less than three weeks.