Need help to identify this error code

That's a new one on me, never heard that one before.  I'd try talking to Lionel to see what they say about the error.

What happens operationally with the locomotive?  Does it run at all?  If so, what functions are not working?

BEMC ?

BEMC- Back EMF Controller, basically the ERR Cruise Commander for Legacy.  Lionel used these in a handful of locomotives where they felt the RCMC wouldn't fit, but they're not nearly as consistent in speed control as the real Legacy Odyssey II used with the flywheel encoder.

I called Lionel and they've never heard of that error code either. I've ordered a replacement BEMC which is the most likely bad board. I should have it by weeks end and I'll report back if that was the fix or not.

I replaced the BEMC board and it's still not working correctly. It does't respond to any remote commands and I've tried reprogramming it to no avail. When I apply power to the track the fan unit comes on immediately and the engine background sounds start up as well. The engine does respond to a conventional whistle and horn buttons from the transformer. However it does not move at all. I did make sure to unplug my command base when testing in conventional. Which was also no change to engine behavior. I'm guessing it now needs the RCDR / RADIO RECEIVER board. I thought if this board was bad that it would still run conventional, however I don't know that for sure. Anyone got any ideas for things to try before I order a new receiver board?

I’ve had this situation with a Lionel Centipede once.  The RCMC board was good,  however, the radio board was sending out all kinds of random codes causing the same thing to happen that yours is doing.  Also,  unit would not run in conventional mode without the radio board installed.  I replaced that board and the unit ran as good as new.

Blake

Blake Morris posted:

I’ve had this situation with a Lionel Centipede once.  The RCMC board was good,  however, the radio board was sending out all kinds of random codes causing the same thing to happen that yours is doing.  Also,  unit would not run in conventional mode without the radio board installed.  I replaced that board and the unit ran as good as new.

Blake

Thank you for the quick response with a resolution. I'll be ordering that receiver board tomorrow. 

Davety posted:

I replaced the BEMC board and it's still not working correctly. It does't respond to any remote commands and I've tried reprogramming it to no avail. When I apply power to the track the fan unit comes on immediately and the engine background sounds start up as well. The engine does respond to a conventional whistle and horn buttons from the transformer. However it does not move at all. I did make sure to unplug my command base when testing in conventional. Which was also no change to engine behavior. I'm guessing it now needs the RCDR / RADIO RECEIVER board. I thought if this board was bad that it would still run conventional, however I don't know that for sure. Anyone got any ideas for things to try before I order a new receiver board?

Davety,  another thing to look at is to make sure that you don’t have any keys sticking on your legacy remote.  I was stumped with a situation where everything fired up randomly when I applied track voltage and couldn’t figure it out.  After checking with Dean at Lionel,  he said to check the boost/brake button for sticking and sure enough,  that’s what it was.  I cleaned it with a little electronic contact cleaner and it works just like a new one.

Davety posted:

Blake Morris posted:

I’ve had this situation with a Lionel Centipede once.  The RCMC board was good,  however, the radio board was sending out all kinds of random codes causing the same thing to happen that yours is doing.  Also,  unit would not run in conventional mode without the radio board installed.  I replaced that board and the unit ran as good as new.

Blake

Thank you for the quick response with a resolution. I'll be ordering that receiver board tomorrow. 

I hope that will correct the problem and you’re welcome.

Blake

Blake Morris posted:

Davety posted:

I replaced the BEMC board and it's still not working correctly. It does't respond to any remote commands and I've tried reprogramming it to no avail. When I apply power to the track the fan unit comes on immediately and the engine background sounds start up as well. The engine does respond to a conventional whistle and horn buttons from the transformer. However it does not move at all. I did make sure to unplug my command base when testing in conventional. Which was also no change to engine behavior. I'm guessing it now needs the RCDR / RADIO RECEIVER board. I thought if this board was bad that it would still run conventional, however I don't know that for sure. Anyone got any ideas for things to try before I order a new receiver board?

Davety,  another thing to look at is to make sure that you don’t have any keys sticking on your legacy remote.  I was stumped with a situation where everything fired up randomly when I applied track voltage and couldn’t figure it out.  After checking with Dean at Lionel,  he said to check the boost/brake button for sticking and sure enough,  that’s what it was.  I cleaned it with a little electronic contact cleaner and it works just like a new one.

Thanks for the suggesting about checking brake/boost, however I'm getting the same results with my CAB1L as I'm getting with my CAB2. Also none of my other command engines are having any trouble. 

Sadly, there is no information on this unit, but the RCDR is certainly high on the list of suspects as it could cause the symptoms you mention.

I finally got this fixed. I had to replace the BEMC and the RCDR to get it working correctly. I installed a TVS in there as well so hopefully this doesn't happen again. Thanks everyone for all you help on this one.