Could I have a bad legacy rcmc board? Legacy ns sd60e first responders not responding to cab2.

Sounds like heat fet shorted and the load it preventing control of the board.  Unplug smoke and retry, but if still no joy need a new bottom board. G

Did you check the seating and ALL the pins on the little TMCC receiver on top of the RCMC?  I've had to repair several of those with broken pins, and they get dislodged pretty easily.

thanks ggg and john, yes john I checked the pins on the reciver board. they were ok. I understand you g. If I may ask what caused the heat fet to short and it is located on the bottom board correct?  this really p.o's me as this engine is not that old,in pristine shape and I have bearly run it. it unfortunately is passed the warrenty period. since you both are trained techs and see I am sure a few of these new boards. could either of you tell me whats the failure % on these new boards? they sure make working on these engines a breeze. the down side is at least for me is the cost of the boards. guess a call to lionel is in order to get a new board. thanks again gentalman for the help. some how I had a gut feeling it was the rcmc board. just needed to be reassured. thanks. oh and just like columbo I have one more question. these new rcmc boards are engine specific right? due to the software programed onto them. so buying a spare backup board in case one of my other legacy diesels go down would be a waste of time correct? 

Correct, the RCMC has to be programmed for the application, so spares are not really a good investment.  I haven't seen many RCMC failures, most have been in the motor drive area. 

Thanks john.

I have the exact loco that had the same problem when new. Just looked up the reset code and entered it and haven’t had a problem since. Sadly, it is out of warranty, but Lionel May still be able to take a swing at it.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Correct, the RCMC has to be programmed for the application, so spares are not really a good investment.  I haven't seen many RCMC failures, most have been in the motor drive area. 

He burned up his smoke unit and melted plastic.  Sure sounds like the Heat Fet shorted based on symptoms he provided.  That is why I stated disconnect and try it.

Why can be a shorted element that grounded to chassis, pinched wire, or just a FET failure.  Fan motor stopped and element overheats.  Will be hard to really know, now that smoke unit and bottom board damaged.  G

thanks guys, g I did try the engine with the smoke unit unpluged. still acted the same. I think you are correct in that the bottom board went bad. I am still bumbed  it went bad considering it had  very little use. At least these new boards are easily replaceable. btw ns6770fan can you give me the reset code you used to get yours working. it maybe worth a shot to try that. it cant make it any worse than it is. thanks.

It certainly could be something else George, on-line analysis is pretty spotty without actually seeing the item.  What we take for granted by a personal physical inspection is much different than analyzing things in ASCII.

Lionelzwl2012 posted:

 btw ns6770fan can you give me the reset code you used to get yours working. it maybe worth a shot to try that. it cant make it any worse than it is. thanks.

There is no "reset code" for RCMC equipped locomotives, just setting the TMCC ID is the reset.

thanks again john. I was wondering about that,but thought I would ask anyway since he said he tryed it. I am ordering a new board so the case is solved/closed. thanks everyone for all the help. 

George probably has a good point, before installing the new board, INSURE all the wiring is intact and you have no shorts, pinched wires, etc.