TMCC not Recognizing Cab 1

Greg from TexasOGR Forum Member

Over the weekend I had trouble with a new legacy engine not recognizing TMCC. Basically it powered up in conventional no matter what. (Sent back to Lionel)

I put a couple of other trains on the track and they both recognized TMCC and fired-up with the Cab 1.

Today I put an engine on the track. It recognizes the TMCC...waits for Cab 1 signal....But nothing. Doesnt seem that my CAB 1 and TMCC are comunicating. Checked the wire on outside rail...again.

Even tried another TMCC and Cab 1.

Nothing.

Changed Batteries twice.

The only thing I did over teh wekend while having problems was push teh signal button on the side of the TMCC...a red light came on. I unplugged it and it went off.

I have looked at the TMCC set up and cant find anthing to do.

All the engines I put on the track recognize the signal....but none respond when I enter the engine number...so seems it the Cab1 or signal between it and teh TMCC?

Any thoughts...experience?

Greg

3/1/231:10 PM

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Tracker JohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Are you seeing the base's red LED flicker when you send a command from the Cab1?

Re: "tried another TMCC and Cab 1"

This is puzzling. Everything worked yesterday but not today, and the engines are picking up the TMCC track signal, but do not respond to the Cab1. Interference messing with on the Cab1 <-> base signal is possible, but I've never seen it.

Re: "signal button on the side of the TMCC"

Are you referring to the crystal tray labelled 27.255 mhz? If the crystal is not correctly seated (or has failed), then communications between the Cab1 and base are not happening. The base may still output the TMCC track signal which is why your locos don't relapse to conventional mode. Pry out the crystal tray and make sure it isn't broken, the crystal is intact, and reinsert it carefully.

Lionel once offered an "alternate frequency" crystal set to address multiple TMCC bases on layouts at train shows. These are rare. If your "another TMCC and Cab1" have the alternate frequency set installed, then you cannot mix the Cab1s and bases. Try your two Cab1s with the same base. You should see the red LED flicker when you send a command from the Cab1.

3/1/232:18 PM

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RoyBoyOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

As John suggests, when you are troubleshooting, only change one thing at a time. If you change more than one thing, you have no idea which one affected the difference.

3/1/236:55 PM

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