Lionel engine starts in reverse instead for forward

Lionel model number?

Ray, has it ever been programmed as part of a train/MU/lash up? If you program it to train 0 (zero) will that solve the problem?

I've seen (bigger) generator/motors reverse the run polarity while running with a loose wire, and a few non-train boards have had a chip reprogram themselves and/or revert to something older.  (can happen from a static shock, or simply powering something up sometimes. A component can literally forget it's job. A "reboot" is possible sometimes if all the electrical has time to leach off power from idle capacitors, etc. (to air depending on design, and that takes time when it even happens)

I'd try a reset and if that didn't work, swap the motor leads. Under warranty I'd want that new board, or new motor though. 

Maybe even let it sit for about a week (no battery if it's safe to do so). I had a tmcc lock up totally.... twice, maybe three times. It just flashed the lights.   I let it sit for 3 days & a couple of weeks before addressing it.... and each time it fired up proper after sitting unpowered.  It hasn't done it in about 4 years now.

The cab lights don't go out automatically in that model, that only started with Legacy equipment.

Ray, I just had a Legacy ES44AC arrive the other day with the same behavior.  I performed a locomotive reset and it's back to normal.  Here is the reset sequence out of your manual for the GP-30:

Thanks to everyone. I reprogrammed the engine and it's back to normal, it runs fine. 

I wonder if it just lost its memory - early Alzheimer

RAY

Ray of sunshine posted:

Thanks to everyone. I reprogrammed the engine and it's back to normal, it runs fine. 

I wonder if it just lost its memory - early Alzheimer

RAY

 

When you say reprogrammed, do you mean...

-Gave it a new address?

-Programmed it as train zero?

-Told the board what type of locomotive it is?

I noticed my engines will behave the same way if they were part of a lashup and had been running in reverse. All I would do is hit Trn and the ID for the engine as the front  add unit andn other engine. Shut it down button five on Cab-1L and no prob after that.