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Author Topic: Locomotive Runs without remote  (Read 1344 times)

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Locomotive Runs without remote
« on: December 08, 2020, 01:45:56 pm »
I'm brand new to Lionel O gauge so please excuse the terminology if I'm using it wrong.  I bought an off the shelf LionChief set, some extra track and a few switches and set up in the basement.   Everything ran fine for two weeks.   Today, I plugged in the power and the locomotive began running at high speed without the remote on.   The locomotive wouldn't move though, the traction wheels just spun in place.  I unplugged, waited a few minutes and tried again.   Same thing.    I don't see anything visible that would cause this, track is clean, power is clean, no shorts etc.    Help!!!

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Re: Locomotive Runs without remote
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2020, 11:55:17 pm »
I'm brand new to Lionel O gauge so please excuse the terminology if I'm using it wrong.  I bought an off the shelf LionChief set, some extra track and a few switches and set up in the basement.   Everything ran fine for two weeks.   Today, I plugged in the power and the locomotive began running at high speed without the remote on.   The locomotive wouldn't move though, the traction wheels just spun in place.  I unplugged, waited a few minutes and tried again.   Same thing.    I don't see anything visible that would cause this, track is clean, power is clean, no shorts etc.    Help!!!
I think the control board in the locomotive has failed. 


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Re: Locomotive Runs without remote
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2020, 08:29:28 am »
Thanks.  After a tear down, the front motor is not running, but does not appear to be toasted.  Is this common in the off the shelf LionChief product?   Seems so. 

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Re: Locomotive Runs without remote
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2020, 10:13:36 am »
Thanks.  After a tear down, the front motor is not running, but does not appear to be toasted.  Is this common in the off the shelf LionChief product?   Seems so.
If you have the skill and a voltmeter check to see if that motor is getting any power.  It is less likely that a can motor failure is the issue than a bad circuit board.  If it’s new it should be covered under warranty.   That doesn’t help you immediately however. 


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Re: Locomotive Runs without remote
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2020, 02:08:46 pm »
Thanks.  I did check and front motor has no power.  I’m going to send back to Lionel and hope they make it right.   Set was only two weeks old.  Seems like I’m not the first to have the issue with LionChief sets and particularly this one. 

 

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