Sounds reduced in volume and quality

I have the same UP SD90 engine. After taking it out of storage for several years and installing a new battery and a quick lubrication,The engine ran fine but all sounds were low and distorted. after some great advice from this forum I replaced the speaker  and the sounds returned to normal..If you replace the speaker make sure you replacement has the correct ohms and wattage.

The speaker is the top suspect.

Have not seen that in Lionel speakers.  Either they work or they go open and stop working.  Last issue I had like this was the RS board itself.  Replaced board with original chip and that resolved issue.  Let us know what solves it.  G

I've seen the exact failure, and I've replaced a couple Lionel speakers.  They can go bad just like the MTH ones do occasionally.  It could obviously be the board as well, but the speaker is cheap to try.

One thing that would narrow it down is to pop a different RS board in and see if the audio level goes away.

On another note I think if I remember right the engines came with the speakers out of phase from the factory.

Pull the chips of the RS board and reseat them. Also pull the RS power board and reseat it.  Reprogram the engine.  What action are you seeing with the volume pot?  My money would be reseating the chips.  I see this often.  It is not the speaker.  If you want to check for a speaker issue, go to pins 22 and 24 on the RS audio board and see what you get for a reading with your meter.

IF the problem is the speaker (presumably only one of the two speakers on this engine), the speaker is unavailable at Lionel (one of only a small number of parts for this engine that are unavailable). The part is:

6008152536 SPEAKER / 16 OHM 0.2W / 2" ROUND / SMALL MAGNET 51 $4.50

What would I replace it with? Also, if I use a substitute speaker, would I need to replace the other speaker as well so that both speakers are exactly the same?

(P.S.  I remember the issue of speakers being out of phase on some of the SD-90s, but the ones on my engine were phased correctly at the factory, and the sounds were outstanding until now.)

Keith

How about trying what was stated.  If your speakers were 

good before you should be ok with them.   After trying the chips, I can outline how to test the volume pot.

FYI, on the Lionel Tech site, your speaker number shows as good and in stock.  If you hit the Lionel Consumer site and click replacement parts, then click search by replacement part number then in the search box put in the word speakers and you will get a list.  

On the Tech site I did a dummy order and they are available.  Just a short cut for when you look for speakers on the Lionel site.  Many times when you search under the drop down menu under the locomotive you will see items stated unavailable and they are available.

Marty, didn't see your post, which went up as I was writing mine. I'll try what you suggested. Thanks.--Keith

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

Pull the chips of the RS board and reseat them. Also pull the RS power board and reseat it.  Reprogram the engine.  What action are you seeing with the volume pot?  My money would be reseating the chips.  I see this often.  It is not the speaker.  If you want to check for a speaker issue, go to pins 22 and 24 on the RS power board and see what you get for a reading with your meter.

Thank you, everybody, for your help. I really appreciate it.

Marty, a special thank-you to you because I did what you said and--whoa doggy! shazam!--it worked. Wow!

I'm curious, what was wrong that reseating the RS board and the RS power board, then reprogramming, fixed the problem?

Cheers!

Keith

Keith, Corrosion builds up on contacts.  That can solve many issues.  It is weird how yours died in operation.  Normally it occurs after sitting.  G

Keith, this is a common issue.  I see it often.  I am glad you got your sound back.  

Marty