Lionel constant smoke unit issue

I forgot to also add i am using 2 MTH Z4000s to power the layout. I am also using legacy to run the locos.

Some smoke units smoke continuously when the loco is stopped, but then puff when the loco is moving. Is that what yours is doing?

@RoyBoy They are puffing when they aren't even to puff in the first place. The smoke units are to be constantly be on all the time, moving or not. The issue is that the fans are for some reason pulsing and not staying on all the time.

The product numbers would help here but as Roy said many the steam engines offered 2000-2006 had continous smoke. If its starting to pulse maybe the fan motor bearings are wearing out. Disassembling the units and putting a few drops of oil on the armature bearings might help diagnose the problem. If the problem seems to go away then come back then replacing the motor is indicated.

Pete

This is what the fan is doing while sitting and moving on both locos.

Reprogram the locomotives, you likely have them programmed as a strobe and not a smoke unit.

STEP 1: Move switch on locomotive from run to program.
STEP 2: Turn on Command Base.
STEP 3: Place locomotive on track, then turn on power to track.
STEP 4: Press “ENG” then input locomotive ID#. Press “SET”.
STEP 5: Press ”ENG” then input locomotive ID# again.
STEP 6: Press “AUX 1”, then "4".
STEP 7: Turn off power to track, wait ten seconds.
STEP 8: Remove locomotive from track, move switch from program to run.
STEP 9: Place locomotive back on track. Turn power on to track.
STEP 10: Press “ENG” and ID#, then operate as normal.

As what John said, your R2LC is programmed as a strobe light which is a 5 or 6 and need to program it as a 8 for an on/off smoke unit.

Ted, 4 for steam, 8 is for diesel.  Unless he wants the headlight to go out in reverse, he should use the correct feature code.

@gunrunnerjohn I just tried 4 with no change. Thanks for the help. I think I blew up the curcit on the R2LC and I most likely will replace it with R4LC from ERR. Thats if I can't figure out whats wrong with the current one.

John,

I always get the 4 and 8 mixed up.
lol!

@Burnzy posted:

@gunrunnerjohn I just tried 4 with no change. Thanks for the help. I think I blew up the curcit on the R2LC and I most likely will replace it with R4LC from ERR. Thats if I can't figure out whats wrong with the current one.

Actually, if you blew up the smoke triac, you'd either have nothing or continuous running, so I don't think that's it.

@gunrunnerjohn So these 2 locos have been running on someone else's layout completely fine for months with no problem and within an hour on my own layout I have a the same issue on both. Is there something on a layout that can cause something like this to happen or mess with it?

I can't say, not enough information.  However, I'd reprogram them properly and see if it cures it.

@gunrunnerjohn okay, thanks for the help and time. If you would like more information I would gladly provide it.

Did you try reprogramming the two locomotives as I previously described?  How about the exact Lionel product numbers of these two?

I have tried reprogramming both engines by following the steps multiple times with no luck. The part number for the M1a is 6-38056, the part number for the S2 is 6-38028.

For these two, the manual specifies a different feature code.  I believe this was tied to the DCDS that has been removed if you have the CC-M installed in them.  However, give this procedure a try, can't hurt.   It's the same for both of these locomotives.

@gunrunnerjohn I just tried 74 on both with no luck.

One issue can be the regulator circuits on the smoke units, they tend to croak pretty regularly.  Next step would be to measure the voltage being supplied to the fan motor and see if it's varying.

@gunrunnerjohn well, I notice that the power to the tracks itself is always jumping around. I can see it in every lighted car on the layout . The power is always changing is what I'm trying to say.

@Burnzy posted:

@gunrunnerjohn well, I notice that the power to the tracks itself is always jumping around. I can see it in every lighted car on the layout . The power is always changing is what I'm trying to say.

Well, I'd certainly look into that FIRST!  All bets are off if you have track/power issues!  Fix one problem at a time, and that one sounds like an easy one to start with.

Okay, I will go and see if I can figure out what is causing this. The Weird thing is that it is happening on all 3 of my tracks. Thanks for helping John and I truly mean it.

If it's happening to all your tracks, look for a common cause, start at the plug in the wall and work your way out.

Check where you plugged the connector from smoke unit into the err board.  If the board has 3 pins and the smoke unit 2 move the connector over to the other side of the 3 pins.  Had this problem with a diesel  and GRJ helped solve the problem

Marty

@Burnzy posted:

@gunrunnerjohn So these 2 locos have been running on someone else's layout completely fine for months with no problem and within an hour on my own layout I have a the same issue on both. Is there something on a layout that can cause something like this to happen or mess with it?

Do you have a short piece of test track hooked up to test ?🤔