Lionel SD80mac Directional Lights

I suggest doing a reset and see if that restores lighting.  Here are you reset instructions for this loco:

Yep, sounds like it's programmed for steam and not diesel.

Oh OK. I am running on a regular AC controller at the moment and don't have any other control system. Not sure it there is a way to reprogram it without a tmcc or some other control system

Is there a way to program it back to diesel if it is programmed in some sort of steam mode? Or is that what the manual is describing?

Here are a couple examples of how it runs. Here all of the functions are working and though i did not capture it, no rear lights are illuminated:

https://youtu.be/LLZuiRYMH5M

Here it is in neutral. This is the same light pattern it has in reverse:

https://youtu.be/3ZJerKTF0TI

Interesting in the second clip how the smoke puffs until i rev it up slightly

Funny that this thread should come up. I run the Conrail 7203 version of this locomotive, and just yesterday, the directional lighting stopped working. I think a derailment may have preceded it, as well. I'll need to re-program using the above instructions and see if that does the trick.

Greg, let me know if reprogramming works for you. I did read in the manual that a derailment or any sort of power interruption could cause the programming to be lost or change. 

Shaun,

     Check if the Run/PRGM switch is in RUN. This switch locks TMCC engine to rum in one direction. I did not see a video of your engine running in reverse. If the engine is not running correctly see if there is a train club in your area that has TMCC or Legacy that can perform a engine reset for you. You can also post where you live (City State) as a forum member who is located near you may be able to help you out. Good luck

JohnB

The light pattern in reverse is the same as the neutral video that i posted. I suspect when the engine is running forward that the rear red lights and number boards should be illuminated.

I will see if some of my local train shops could possibly reset it and maybe find members in my area.

The run/pgm toggle is in the run position currently.

I eventually do want a tmcc, legacy or even the new cab3 system. But that will have to wait as my hobby allowance is depleted at the moment - ha.

@Shaun D posted:

Interesting in the second clip how the smoke puffs until i rev it up slightly

That is the CLASSIC sign that it's not programmed correctly!  You have it programmed for a diesel with a strobe light.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

That is the CLASSIC sign that it's not programmed correctly!  You have it programmed for a diesel with a strobe light.

Good deal - so it sounds like I need to find me a tmcc remote and controller to have the engine reprogrammed.

I was able to stop by a train shop in my area and have the locomotive reset. However it seems to be exhibiting sone of the same behavior.

The guy who reset it seemed to think it is working as expected but the rear number boards and red rear lights don't work. He suggested maybe it doesn't have any but i can see the wires leading the the LEDs for the rear number boards.

Is it possible that the locomotive wasn't reset correctly? I didn't want to insult the gentlemen helping me out since i am new to this type of locomotive.

It's possible it's configured wrong and it's also possible that it's broken.  No way of knowing without further diagnostics and inspection.

I wonder if it is in this mode because it is set to a lash up mode?

Maybe i will run it by the shop again to see what they think.

Voila!

I found a pin on the rear light board that had some bad soldering on it. Now all of the rear lights are working as expected!

Good work glad you got it figured out!