Lionel 990 base problem

A common issue is the signal lug being disconnected internally.  You could check that. 

Marty, thought I read somewhere about that. I Did what you said and checked it,and it was fine. Has there been any known bugs in the v1.4 software? Also currious as to why the new remote could not be back dated with the v1.3 software. Any thoughts as to why guys?

Also I just thought of this. I noticed the red light on the base flashes when you do a function on the remote. It they seem to be communicating to each other. Also I rechecked  the data connection lug inside the base again just for peace of mind. Still the same results. My engines start up all by them selfs and some take off like a rocket. Seems thier is no signal going to the track maybe. Any suggestions as to why. After close inspection of the base insides it appears that all is fine at leat on the surface. 

It could be a bad component. If your base works and it does not using all the same connections and the lug connection is good then I think the base need serviced. 

Marty you maybe right. Is this something lionel will repare or replace for just the cost of shipping? Or since I bought it used/second hand I am SOL? If I am SOL maybe I should return it to the seller. 

Hi Guys

I too had a few problems with my Legacy system, My first was working fine except for a few probs with functions (possibly due to 50hz in the Uk) Lionel were very helpful, I now have two Legacy control systems, but one base is stuck on channel 9 this is not an issue for me as I only use one base and two hand sets, I have upgraded to 1.6 software and every thing is fine. (except for the channel issue) My advice for what its worth is ask Lionel to repair it, It may cost but at lease get them upgraded to the latest software.

Any of the early models require a battery charging service. Lionel will still repair that problem. Call for an RMA and send in the base and remote that you recently purchased. ( I bet it will all come back working fine)

I agree, send it to Lionel. They are best able to answer what they will do for you used or not. The charging issue may always be free.  As to the signal issue, there have been reports of low or no signal sent to the track from the U terminal even though the U terminal is intact.

Thanks guys, the remote works fine it seams. The base however is the problem. I have looked very closely at the insides of the base. It looks like it is fine. Although obviously it is not. I emailed  lionel and asked about the cost to repair the base and stated I got it used.if it cost me too much,between price paid for the unit and the repair. I may just ask the seller for a refund. If the two prices combined are still less than a brand new 990 set. I will keep the set and have lionel fix the base.

The previous owner never hooked it up it appears. The remote still had the plastic on the remots glass. I am assuming it was defective from china on lionels end. I asked lionel if that was the case could I just pay for the shipping and avoid the labor to fix it. We will see. 

Next time given the nature of the beast. I will buy brand new to have the full warranty. Also I will ask more questions too the ebay seller. I usually do. This one time though I did not. I dont really blame him though as he stated he never hooked it up. He stated he was selling it because to convert his conventional layout use it was going to be to much for him.

I did not suggest that one wire is all it would maybe take to hook the base up and you are in the command enviroment. I Dont know his layout so it was not my place to say. Besides I have been on the hunt for a second 990 set. The set with just base with charger and remote would have been ok to. This way though I would have had a spare base to use on the workbench to troubleshoot engines. Also I was plannind on someday using it on the christmas layout. 

Most of the full 990 sets are around 300 or 350 some even higher. That is why I occasionally checked the bay. When I saw this set almost new in the box at 220 shipped I went straight for my wallett. I is my birthday this month so happy birthday for me to me so to speak. I am single so I can get away with that. I also am buying from a forum member a used engine. Cant wait to get it either.

I realize that things happen and lionel did or does have issues with the 990 sets. It bumbs me out,but at least the remote works and I can still enjoy it till I get the base problem resolved. 

If I do send it to lionel I will update this for those who are curious as to lionels email response and cost to fix the 990 base out of warrenty. I am sure they will email me sometime this moday and let me know what to do. Thanks again  guys for the advice also. it  realy helps a lot to get feedback and suggestions here. That way we avoid doing things we shouldnt. Its like getting a another doctors second appinion so to speak. Thanks.

Just .02 from a guy who spent a lot of time with customers...

When dealing with customer service reps, never tell them that you bought something "used." Tell them that you have an item that is "out of warranty." It doesn't change the facts, but the perception on their end will be completely different.

Too often, reps spend lots of time trying to help a customer, only to learn that the customer bought the thing as junk for pennies on the dollar, doesn't understand it, has no manual and won't spend a nickel to fix it. The reps are trained to get off those calls ASAP. That is one reason a lot of places are starting to charge for phone support.

As to Lionel specifically, I had a similar problem with an out-of-warranty Base-1L. Lionel replaced it at no charge.

Wow thanks plcprof, thats good advice. Just wanted to be as upfront with lionel customer sevice as possible. Hope they can replace it free of charge. Not counting on it though. They realy are not obligated to do so. Just wish these units were more robust. Most stuff I have bought used,engines switches. Things with lots of electronics have been very robust. I have gotten some sweet engines I never thought when they came out I would ever get. I am one of those who love,love,love all those high end vision and legacy engines and now accsesories. I just dont have $2000 lying around for one engine. Surprisingly though through some great folks here and on the bay. I have gotten more engines than I ever dreamed I would have. I guess patients is a vertu. 

Kinda sounds shady, maybe I dont know. It could have probably worked though. Not sure I have the receipt though. Got the original one years ago. Could have just told lionel it was out of warranty but did not think of that at the time I emailed them. Now that I sent them the email stating how I got it and the problem any thoughts of what you have suggested will not work. Not a bad idea though. Thanks 

Lionelzwl2012 posted:

Kinda sounds shady, maybe I dont know. It could have probably worked though. Not sure I have the receipt though. Got the original one years ago. Could have just told lionel it was out of warranty but did not think of that at the time I emailed them. Now that I sent them the email stating how I got it and the problem any thoughts of what you have suggested will not work. Not a bad idea though. Thanks 

That's why I stated to send it in only for the charging issue. They repair those regardless of warranty. ( for now, anyway) and...they tend to make the rest of fully functional when they test it before sending it back.

I didn't want to be that obvious as Lionel reads the forum, perhaps I should have been before you called.

And folks are wondering why Lionel has gotten stricter on their warranty repairs. 

MartyE posted:

And folks are wondering why Lionel has gotten stricter on their warranty repairs. 

I wasn't wondering why and here's why...

The Legacy base and controller had so many defects that it seemed that Lionel was obliged to fix them no matter the old rules for warranty repairs. After all, how can you sell Legacy engines and accessories without controllers that work?

Of course, that probably cost a lot...not to mention numerous other product issues most of which I fixed myself and Lionel was  helpful in sending me the parts to achieve that. I did figure that in the long run, the no warranty if you take it apart rule would trump that eventually...and it seems to have.

I figure that we're all in this together, Lionel, the customers, and financing the hobby. So what it takes, it takes.

Moonman posted:

Lionelzwl2012 posted:

Kinda sounds shady, maybe I dont know. It could have probably worked though. Not sure I have the receipt though. Got the original one years ago. Could have just told lionel it was out of warranty but did not think of that at the time I emailed them. Now that I sent them the email stating how I got it and the problem any thoughts of what you have suggested will not work. Not a bad idea though. Thanks 

That's why I stated to send it in only for the charging issue. They repair those regardless of warranty. ( for now, anyway) and...they tend to make the rest of fully functional when they test it before sending it back.

I didn't want to be that obvious as Lionel reads the forum, perhaps I should have been before you called.

I did get questioned on whether I had ever sent the defunct one we were talking about at the time with Lionel repair person. I assured her that I would number them #1, #2, and #3 so there would be no confusion in the future. I think I questioned why there was no serial number if that was important to them, but I think I was just being snide...I hate me for that .

Gentlemen,

   After the initial rework of my 990 Legacy base unit by the US Lionel Techs, the unit never had another problem, I am very grateful for this and even invested in a couple new Legacy engines.  My Legacy Shay had some gear sincro problems, that the Lionel Techs also fixed under warranty, and it now works great also, and because I am a Vet Lionel picked up the shipping both ways.  My opinion of Lionel as a great stand behind their product company, has not wavered thru the years, even with their electrical QC component problems, from their shady over seas providers.  Lionel has done everything they can to make me happy with their new Trains, I will continue to purchase their Legacy products in the future, and I will also even trust purchasing their TMCC engines from another respected OGR member.  Every once in a great while I will have a sending unit, in one of my FTCC Switches fail, this is not the Lionel engineering, this is again Lionels electrical components suppliers over seas, providing sub-grade components as part of the way they due business.   Lionel replaced the new switches that were bad for me, so I have no gripe there either.  However the 2 year old FTCC Switches were not covered under warranty when they went bad, I said something to Lionel about this and they said even their old 072 switches were only warrantied for 1 year.  To this I advised them that my old Lionel 711 Tin Plate Switches have never had a problem, and they are all over 80 years old now.  There was a little grumbling on the other end of the line, and I heard one of the other Tech yell, those old switches were built to last for ever, not a fair comparison.  All in all I have been mighty satisfied with the Lionel Company down thru the years.

PCRR/Dave

May have already stated this but just to be clear. I told lionel in my email that I purchased the 990set used from a seller off ebay. Also told them what he told me that he bought it and never hooked it up. Being honest like marty said was the thing to do.

 I just asked in the email regarding the repair since they have had issuses with the quality on these sets from china and since it was never used by either of us. They could maybe fix it or swap it for a good working one just let me pay for the shipping. 

I realize also I am realy trusting the seller here and his word that he did not use it. From the looks of the whole set and the way it was still packed in the box. Which was in mint shape btw. It appeared he had not. Also give aways were the attena and Y cable were still sealed in there plastic bags. The remote even had the plastic cover still on the screen glass.

So we will see monday what thier policy is regarding this. I think they want these sets to be made right so we will have the incentive to buy more trains. Yes they need to step up the quaility control so every unit leaves the overseas factory working 100%. I also give the tecs a little leway. They now have so many operating system to repair. From legacy to lionchef,lionchief plus. Now the new ho stuff introduced. They probably have all they can handle. Not to mention all of the rest of the product line. 

I have a lot of things that need repaired but have been putting off doing them or getting someone to fiX them. One is the cost of the parts and two just need to get around to it.

Thanks to all who stated send it back to get it fixed I think I will. Was going to see what lionel said then maybe ask the seller for a refund. Now have decided since the remote works fine. I will just keep it and send the base back to get it fixed. If they charge me full labor oh well at least I will have my wishlist checked off on having two legacy bases in my collection. Next is item to get in regards to my controll set up is the new z-wl. 

Here is a photo of my control panel at the moment. I am planning on adding the lcs possibly next year.so I made a stand for my ipad. 

Btw guys I just plugged in the other new 990 base just for the lights stricly for the photo. It all looks so cool, kinda like a cocpit feel with all the screens and lites. I love it. Cant wait to take those cw80's off the board and put the zw-l in there place. They used to power my small layout but now the old 135 brick I had is mounted below and used for power. The layout was getting too  power hungery for the cw80's. Also when I get the room and can grow the layout. The zw-l will have plenty of power to handle the growing pains so to speak. The cw80's will then get used to power switches and accesories and such. 

Lionel is pretty liberal on base repairs. Lately though they've been taken a harder stance on warranty repairs especially if it was oobvious operator error. While your situation IMO should be covered I've always felt honesty is the best policy. 

Hope it works out for you. 

BTW, generally Lionel has required both the base and the CAB2 sent in together regardless of which of the pair is probably not working. I found it futile to debate that requirement.

You may also want to be aware that they will most likely take it up to v1.6 so you may want to think about getting your working one upgraded. 

I couldnt agree more about Lionel Service they are the best. I asked a question about an MTH product on the MTH website two years ago and never got an answer, so I figured out the problem by myself, took a few hours but got there eventually. A similar problem with a  similar Lionel product was answered with in the next day.

I love Lionel Trains and  the back up service. especially  from the UK

Wow thanks again marty for commenting on the v1.6 upgrade. Have not keeped up with the upgrades in a while. Will need to get a hold of a black modual and have the v1.6  installed on it to update my other base as well. You learn somthing here every time you log in. Thanks guys.

He never said he was. He just took a picture because he thought it looked cool. The second I believe is just for his collection and for another remote. Always nice to have a spare base. 

Try using your original base's wall-wart power supply with the new base.

The new power supply could have a defective return to the outlet's ground, needed for the other 1/2 of the signal.

Dave

Dave. From what we understand he used all of the connectivity of the working base. I would assume, maybe wrongly, the power supply included. 

Charles Ro

can supply the black module with 1.6, or do it your self with the utility program, its not difficult as if I can do  it anyone can, btw its 4.30 am here in the UK how sad is that????.

have a great day guys

Guys, 

Yes marty is right I did not have the new one hooked to the track. Just plugged it in for the lights to see what it would look like if both bases were lit up. Then decided it was too cool not to take a picture. 

Secondly,  just apon recept of the new 990 set. I open the box just to inspect everything then took it into the train room and unhooked my old base from the layout. Set it aside and just pluged the new base in using the same power supply I had. Then reconnecting the legacy/tmcc signal wire. I nevet took the new power supply out of the box untill the photo opp. 

When I get a responce from lionel as to cost I will let everyone interested know.

Lionel man uk. Thanks for the charles ro tip. I thought they sold them but wasnt sure. Will have too order some when I get the time. 

Lionelzwl2012 posted:

Wow thanks again marty for commenting on the v1.6 upgrade. Have not keeped up with the upgrades in a while. Will need to get a hold of a black modual and have the v1.6  installed on it to update my other base as well. You learn somthing here every time you log in. Thanks guys.

Take a look at this thread if you're looking for a writable module: Free Black Modules for Legacy

Thanks john. 

Guys, good news I spoke with lionel and they are reparing it for free. I only have to pay to ship it. I said really, are you sure. I bought it used and it has no warranty and the lady said, yes for free. Now thats standing behind your product. What a relief. Kudos to lionel sevice they come through again. Bet they wish china could get these sets right also. Then they would not have to deal with the problems. Thanks to all who helped and followed along. With the price and cost to ship I still got a decent deal after all. 

Lionelzwl2012 posted:

Guys, good news I spoke with lionel and they are reparing it for free. I only have to pay to ship it. I said really, are you sure. I bought it used and it has no warranty and the lady said, yes for free. Now thats standing behind your product. What a relief. Kudos to lionel sevice they come through again. Bet they wish china could get these sets right also. Then they would not have to deal with the problems. Thanks to all who helped and followed along. With the price and cost to ship I still got a decent deal after all. 

Glad it all worked out!  Let us know when you get it back!

Hi Lionelzwl2012

Glad things have worked out alright buddy, I am glad I went with Lionel when I went back into the hobby, I must admit it was also thanks to Erics trains on you tube, once I heard all of the crew talk etc, I knew I was hooked. and as I have said before, Lionel have been great to me  with all of my "silly" questions and back up service. Check out my you tube channel. Ernie Stammers.

Will do marty! 

Lionel man uk, just a qurious question. Is it hard to get lionel stuff over there? Does the local hobby shops there carry it? I really love the marklin stud rail stuff. I assume that and fleishmann stuff is more popular.Thought about getting some ac marklin and fleiscmann stuff a while back,but keeping my lionels up and running and having invested so much time in them it would not be good for me at this time to get into another scale. They are very tempting though. Especially those steamers. They have so much detail.