Lionel 6-29813 Boom Car

It could be as simple as loose connectors or boards, first step it to check for simple physical issues.

My next step is usually to reseat the RailSounds chips in their sockets, that will require a PLCC extraction tool, but it's a common issue.

Jason-

I had this issue about a year ago, and it could be one of four parts - the RS power board, RS chip, volume control knob (potentiometer), or the speaker itself. If the unit powers up but no sound, it is likely the combination of the power board and railsounds board.

To test the speaker, disconnect it from the motherboard and touch the wires to a 9v battery. If you hear any crackles then it isn't the speaker.

To test the volume control potentiometer, disconnect it from the motherboard. Connect a multimeter (set to measure resistance) to one of the outer posts and the middle post on the knob, then rotate the knob. Repeat using the unused post. If the resistance changes as you rotate the knob, then the potentiometer is in working order.

If you have access to another TMCC boom car, you can try swapping out the railsounds and power boards until you get a combination that works. Unfortunately if one of these boards needs replacement, only Lionel can help (as the old board needs to be returned and exchanged for a new one).

Good luck!

-John

Actually, I know you never have to return a power supply card, they are generic.  Also, it's rare for the chips to fail, so moving them to another card is an option.  Finally, it's pretty rare for the cards to go, I'd be looking for simpler causes first.

You can pop most any RS4 or RS5 board in the unit to see if you get sound, it doesn't have to be from a boom car.  While the dialog obviously won't make sense, you'll know if the sound card is bad.

When I hit the power up button it just makes a crackle sound. I re programed it this morning and it worked but then a hour later it did not.

When it stops working are you still getting a flashing light.

Bill

I wigled the boards around and now its working. When it stops working Bill there is no blinking green light down in the cab on the boom car. I just left it run for 20 min and it is working but it did the same thing this morning and then a hour later nothing.

Jason

It sounds like a loose power wire. Check from your pickups to the receiver board.

Ok I will try that Bill, thanks every one for the information.

Next question, I got a Legacy remote that when you turn it on it has lines on the key pad and information screen. Its about a year old. It is the #903. What causes this and does it need to go back to Lionel?

If the lines stay, it's time to go back to Lionel.