Lionel 6-38079 TMCC issue help

Follow the instructions and do a Reset of the R2LC with the proper code for the engine.  That should restore features.  If not make sure antenna has good connection, handrails not grounding to chassis.  After that, swap in new R2LC.  G

From the manual...

So this did not work. I tried running this engine in conventional mode, the engine runs correctly but no chuffing, but the headlight and the whistle/horn do work in conventional mode (they do not work in Command Mode). How do I troubleshoot this? Thank you. 

http://www.lionelstore.com/search?keywords=6-38079

Is this the engine?

Hi the 6-38079 is the Southern Pacific GS2 TMCC engine with all kinds of great features....when they work!

Nice locomotive.

Since you've reprogrammed it, let's get a detailed list of what works and doesn't work.  On a TMCC track, does the sound start up as soon as you apply power, or does it wait until you send the engine a command.  If you press AUX2, verify the headlight light does or does not change state.  Can you operate the smoke unit from the remote?

IF the reset doesn't work, swapping a R2LC would be next based on what you stated.  G

Lionel's website is messed up. It is a GS-2, but lists the 38779 as 38079. Agree with GGG, radio board.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Nice locomotive.

Since you've reprogrammed it, let's get a detailed list of what works and doesn't work.  On a TMCC track, does the sound start up as soon as you apply power, or does it wait until you send the engine a command.  If you press AUX2, verify the headlight light does or does not change state.  Can you operate the smoke unit from the remote?

First, thank you so much for the assistance in troubleshooting we are new to the command system & your assistance is really awesome. Now on to the status

Status report

aux 2 light turns on & off

aux 8&9 smoke on off works but no sound confirmation 

reprogram to engine number 10 successful

reset to loco successful but no sound confirmation

aux0 no chuff sounds still no air release sounds

aux 1 no sound changes still won't chuff

aux2 no crew sounds

aux3 no sounds response no changes

aux4nochange in background sounds 

aux5 no shutdown 

aux6 nothing 

aux7 nothing

aux8 smoke off works but no sound confirmation 

aux9 smoke turns back on but no sound confirmation 

Well, it sounds like the big issue is you don't have serial communications between the locomotive and the tender.  The suspects here are the R2LC that has been previously mentioned, and of course the wireless tether components, my personal favorites.

Swapping the R2LC with a known working engine is fairly easy, and you can certainly try that.

For the tether link, let's do this.

Remove the tender and power the locomotive up on the tracks.  With a digital camera or cell phone camera, look through the viewfinder at the IR transmitter on the drawbar.  If you see a dull purple light there, the IR link is probably working.  If not, you need to track down the issue in the locomotive, check the wiring from the drawbar up to the motherboard.

Assuming you "saw the light", check the wiring on the tender side of the drawbar, I've had several that had bad connections to the sensor.  If you have another similar vintage steamer with the wireless drawbar, you can also just put it behind this engine and see if the sounds are controlled from the remote with a different tender.

The tender is the issue, I put the tender to our 6-38000 behind this and it the 6-38079 loco made the tender do everything correctly. I can also see the purple light. 

OK, time to check the wires under the heatshrink on the tender, then look inside at the wiring from the tether to the motherboard.  Give a tug on the wires under the heatshrink, I've find them broken several times, poor solder connection to the sensor.

While you're in the tender, reseat all the connections and boards.