SP Commuter stuck in conventional mode

It could be a problem with your command base. Have you tested other TMCC locomotives? If not the base then I suspect a broken, loose, or pinched wire somewhere inside the loco.

All other TMCC locomotives work fine.

I don't think its a broken wire since the lights flashed about 8 times in the stopped position. Since then it has been stuck in conventional mode.

Either way, you are going to have to remove the shell. Remove all the circuit boards, 3 of them, and re-seat them. While inside, check wires for loose connections. If its equipped with odyssey check the magnetic ring on the motor flywheel.

 In conventional mode the program switch is a lock out switch. The engine will only run forward. Not that this is going to help in  anyway  but you also can't change  direction  in conventional mode,I would put   the run/program switch back to the run position.  . When the headlight flickers place your hand over it.Sound s to me like an antennae problem or Faulty R2LC receiver board.

 Power down the layout for a minute or so and see  what happens.

Thanks to all,

It really was the the strangest thing when the lights started flashing, up till then it was running perfect. Now it just seem to bypass the "watchdog" feature like its not picking up the TMCC signal.

Does anyone know if replacement boards are available?

Is there anything out there that would be a upgrade to the on board TMCC?

Did you ever get a solution to your problem and get your engine to respond to remote commands? I just recieved an A/F legacy U33c and after afew minutes of running just fine and responding to Legacy remote commands during a breaking-in period it came to an abrupt stop and now will only run under Command Control! If yours is now working please post your solution!! Thank you and to anyone who can help!!

Hello Laurin,

After doing some research and testing, it looks like my R2lc code 06 board has gone bad. All convention functions work, and it looks like Lionel doesnt make that board anymore so not sure what I am going to do.

Try an R2LC-C08 board, it should work fine.  I've replaced several 06 and 07 boards with the 08 version with no ill effects.

 

I take that back, there was one ill effect.  Apparently, for some reason, the polarity of the light outputs are reversed on older boards, so if you use LED's, you had to swap the leads.

 

Funny that you mention that board. I just ordered from Eastside Trains a CO8 board earlier today.

sounds like that should fix it.

If the old one is truly bad, it should solve the issue.  Other than the funny polarity on the headlights, they usually are upward compatible.