My Grandsons Lionechief's Remote LED is Flashing Fast

You probably already tried this but are there switches on the bottom of the engine that have to be in the correct setting for the engine to respond to the remote vs. run by transformer?

@D44 posted:

You probably already tried this but are there switches on the bottom of the engine that have to be in the correct setting for the engine to respond to the remote vs. run by transformer?

This is a Lionchief set, Only switches are "Chuff and Smoke", on and off.

Thanks for the reply thou.

Here's the problem, this is early lionchief RF proprietary protocol. Thus, this engine is not "Bluetooth" enabled so you cannot test using the Lionchief app loaded on a phone or tablet. Only 2 devices currently can talk to this engine- the factory remote or the orange Lionchief Universal remote. Sure, if you have the universal remote, there is bridge mode- but then you have the universal remote.....

The board in the engine is no longer available. You could substitute a different board from the same series- but then you run into the remote control problem and need the matching remote or universal remote..

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...er-RTR-Set-Loco-1225

Universal remote is on sale https://www.lionelstore.com/Un...te-Controller-683071

Universal remote at $40 sale price is one of the hobby's great bargains for those purchasing Lionel locos in sets or separate sale.  I use it in preference to cab-1 and cab-2 or the app for initial tests of new locos as it controls LionChief, LionChief +, LionChief +2.0 and Legacy locos with Bluetooth.  Pretty much anything Lionel has made in the last 3-5 years.  Having one also means you don't have to worry about losing the loco specific remote that comes with all Lionel set and separate sale LionChief locos.  All Lionel starter sets are LionChief only with rare exception.  Reliable and simple in my experience.

And if it turns out you need to replace the electronics in your 8 year old loco, the Universal Remote will operate any replacement LionChief electronics you use, as mentioned by Vernon Barry above.

Thanks guys. I found a remote on eBay for the engine. If that dont work  then its on to the universal and lastly the board and change the sound card.

@Jayhawk500 posted:

Thanks guys. I found a remote on eBay for the engine. If that dont work  then its on to the universal and lastly the board and change the sound card.

I linked you the part at Lionel, it was in the support link.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...82546-XMAS-DOCKSIDER

$15 and typical $10 shipping +Tax. Wondering how well you made out on a used bay sourced remote.

Wellll, It's more than $15. But shipping was less. Hopefully it wasn't a bust of a purchase. It's on the way.
If it doesn't work, then it's on to the Universal.

Ebay remote the other day. Put batteries in it and it did exactly the same thing as the original remote. Sending it back to the seller.
Ordered a Universal remote on sale from Trainworld. Should be here in a couple of days. If that don't work, its on to the board in the engine.

Received the Universal remote yesterday. Tried to program the the Docksider and no joy. Tried programming the remote to my Polar express and all is well. Looks to be the board in the engine is toast. Now I just need to find something to make this this run.

You can still get the Bethlehem Steel docksider Lionchief PCB. This would work with your universal remote.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...EHEM-STEEL-DOCKSIDER

This Christmas one is out of stock so that's a dead end

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...F-PCB-XMAS-DOCKSIDER

FWIW, I would try to see maybe why the old board died.  Example a failing or jammed motor, or other failure? https://www.lionelsupport.com/...R-W-CHOKES-LIONCHIEF

Also, before declaring totally dead, have you tried a different power supply? I have seen Lionchief DC wall power packs fail. You said the engine lights up and that could be direct track powered LEDs that do not interface to the board.

Just trying to make sure before you throw money at the parts canon approach.

@Vernon Barry posted:

FWIW, I would try to see maybe why the old board died.  Example a failing or jammed motor, or other failure? https://www.lionelsupport.com/...R-W-CHOKES-LIONCHIEF

Also, before declaring totally dead, have you tried a different power supply? I have seen Lionchief DC wall power packs fail. You said the engine lights up and that could be direct track powered LEDs that do not interface to the board.

Just trying to make sure before you throw money at the parts canon approach.

I'm using a 180 watt brick with a PowerHouse to power the track. No wallwart. I did find that the speaker wires were pinched against the body. This is just very odd, the grandson got done playing with it, Picked it up so the dog wouldn't bust anything, came back, put it on the track the next day, and it didn't work. Very Odd.
I haven't spun the motor over yet to see if it's jammed, but I don't think so.
As far as lighting up, It's only the cab light. Nothing else. So I know power is getting to the PCB.

A pinched wire would kill the board. No output wire or switch can touch frame (motor, LEDs, speaker, smoke unit, or sound switch).

If the speaker wire shorted- first it blows the audio amplifier, however that can feed the AC voltage into the rest of the 5V DC circuit blowing every chip on the board to include the radio module. Easily explains why nothing works and the remote cannot connect. That board is likely deader than dead. Complete and total destruction.

FWIW, the last time I saw a shorted Lionchief PCB. Giant crater where the amplifier used to be- again killed every single chip on the board.

Thanks Vernon. 'Splains alot. May try the Bethlehem Steel board.
And, the motor spins freely.

Just wanted to add an update to my grandsons engine. I received the "new" Bethlehem Steel board from Lionel yesterday. I had to lengthen a couple of wires, but I got it back into the engine. I did find out that this engine has very tight clearances from the body to the wiring in some areas. Once I rerouted some wires the body went back on with no issues.  I did make a couple of videos with my phone but their crappy to say the least after emailing them from my phone. I'll see if I can post them up later. I'd like to thank Vernon for his help in the matter. I believe that my grandson will be very happy.

I do have one question, Is the remote supposed to lose it's memory when it's shut off? I have to reprogram the remote each time the remote is turned off or when the engine power has been removed.

Here's the video clips. Pay no mind to the flashing headlight. I walked out of the room with the remote.
I now have to fix the rear coupler.

@Jayhawk500 posted:

I do have one question, Is the remote supposed to lose it's memory when it's shut off? I have to reprogram the remote each time the remote is turned off or when the engine power has been removed.

It should not lose it's memory, however, you still have to press the programmed button 1,2, or 3 to select that stored memory position after then engine is powered and then it should connect.

Here is a usage video of the remote https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq-nKkn1Vv0

another one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoB19uUPMqw

Also, the universal remote has firmware that can be updated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qFfcpcsyTs

http://www.lionel.com/articles...emote-Compatibility/

After I COMPLETELY read the instructions on the remote, I figured  that out. Thanks Vern for the assist again.
Typical man, , Doesnt read the instructions.