Lionel/American Flyer Non-Warranty Return Authorization Number

That sure sucks. They probably have too many GG1s and Alleghenies to fix.  I'm not familiar with the new S Scale stuff for issues but I know in O Scale, those two are the most talked about new broken products. Hope that makes sense. 

That's actually a good thing.  I was under the impression they are only doing repair work on engines that are still under warranty.  Let us know how that goes.  Thanks.  Early SD70's, like early U33C's, are prone to stalling and/or having their sounds drop out while underway.  Latter runs of both engines had greater capacitance added to their circuitry to help them over dirty or uneven tracks and/or deal better with dirty wheels -- like a built-in Soundtraxx Current Keeper for those of you familiar with DCC products.  I improved the uninterrupted operation of my early u-boats and SD70's and some for customers by swapping out one of the pullmor wheels on both trucks for a solid steel wheel.  That added contact with the rails and made a big difference without noticeable traction or pulling power impact.  The problem is, the wheels needed to make that change are no longer available.  

I wouldn't wait if I were you. I'd get it done by one of the Lionel licensed techs who operate their own business or work at LHS's.  Reasoning is 1) it is very possible that when you call back in April they put you off another month and so on, 2) Lionel's non-warranty repairs are very expensive.

I don't have an SD70, but a friend does, and his had power pickup problems that caused all sorts of issues. It went back to Lionel more than once but never got sorted out. Finally he decided to fix it himself using Carl Tuveson's method.

Assuming your problems are power pickup related, go to www.tuveson.com, click on "Hints & Tips", and scroll down to "Fixing a AF SD70 power pickup problem".  It details the problem and one way to fix it permanently.

If you aren't comfortable tackling this yourself you may want to contact Carl to see what he charges to do his modification.  Good luck!

Dean

I bought one SD70ACe that stalled on American Models switches when it lost electrical contact because of the spacing of the wheels. I found Carl Tuveson's solution and applied it: drilling holes in the trucks to insert springs that would improve contact. It worked most of the time over the switches, but there was still intermittent losses, probably because I didn't use the stronger springs he found on Lionel's website. However, I studied the wheel arrangement, then decided I'd try a simpler fix: just move the traction tires on the rear truck to the middle position. That solved the problem. It also solved it for a second SD70ACe without having to drill anything.

I don't know if that is a solution for you, but it was quick, simple, and inexpensive.

Guess what guys!   I called Lionel for a none warranty R.A. number. They said they where only taking warranty repairs! They said we have other repair shops you can send your diesel. They said this back on May 15, 2017.

 I sent my SD 7oACe Diesel to the shop in Saginaw, MI on 5-15-17. Did not hear anything yet.

What next!    Ernie

I suggest that you locate one of their certified repair guys.  Scenery Unlimited has a repair person. 

The Lionel brain at work: We are swamped with warranty repairs because of lousy quality control. Therefore, let's stop the very repair work that would generate the funds to improve our quality control.

You guys are missing the 6 flashes in the cab. That usually means it is a Hall Effect error and the Hall effect connection sometimes wiggles loose. Take the shell off and see if you can see the connector above the truck with the connection and re-seat the connectors.   If that does not work, then it will require service.

Ed

www.goldinhands.com

I just sent two boards to lionel for testing......They will not sell me new ones until they test the old ones  ?/><{[=   I can't say what I;m thinking... If your going to run Legacy then you better start learning how to work on them.  Lionel isn't much help.

Anyone know the correct name for the plug ins on the wiring harness of legacy components and how to identify each?

Regards everyone

Jackie

Jackie, 

There are two ways to identify the boards, one is looking on the website for parts under either the product number or the cab number. Not all engines are in the data base so it all depends on what engine you have.

The other way to identify the board is with the part number that is on the board. The boards has a part number and you can entire that number in the search bar and it will come up with the description. Depending on the engine will determine what components they use and different engines may have different components. 

BTW I am the Scenery Unlimited Authorized Lionel Repair person.

Ed 

www.goldinhands.com

Ed.

Thank you for responding to my post.........what I am talking about isn't the boards themselves but rather the wiring that connects various components to the boards......example my Y at the  smoke unit a  4 wire connector that runs to the motor board and then connects to it....I need that cable but Lionel does not have it.   In order to make a cable I need to understand the name of the plastic connector and its size. these connectors come in various sizes and types......that is what I am trying to understand.   Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.  note; I just ordered a bunch of connectors off ebay ....I have no idea if any of these will work  .

Regards

Jackie

Jackie, give me a engine number or product number for the engine.

Ed   6-48198 is the product number for the engine

     Ed......see what mean

BillyJack, 

If you go to www.Lionelsupport.com and under replacement parts and then replacement part number and type in the text search box harness and enter.  From page 426 - 450 are all the smoke harnesses based on length.  I checked several different sizes and they are in stock

Hope this helps.

Ed

ED......I did what you said and sure enough there were pages and pages of Harnesses ......I found one that might work so I have ordered it,,,,,,,,,,,wiring color is correct but the length is a little long but if it connects I can deal with that.

Thank You for helping me....

Regards

Jackie

Rather it be to long than to short, you can always tie wrap the excess. Let me know if I can be anymore help. Good luck.

Ed Goldin

Lionel Authorized Repair Station

www.goldinhands.com

847-727-0857

Also let me know if it worked.

Sorry for the delay I got the Harness and while the wires were different colors the end were correct and it worked just fine.......also got the connectors that I showed you and now I can make my own cables with a little bit of soldering .........Thanks ED

Jackie

Great glad it worked.

Ed, You are the best and a real asset to the hobby.

Ray

Thank you.