Lionel GP-9 won't work

[csxt30]

Got this eng. off ebay, used very little. Tried all the programming, but no lights flash or horn blow . Only have base and cab 1and 1044 Lionel 90 watt transformer. Have powermaster, but not the cord yet.Didn't put 9-volt battery in. Eng. sounds come on and that's all. It will not move. Also' we forgot where the switches were set. and tried to run it with just a transformer. Maybe that messed it up. One place in the book says put the one switch in the middle. I'm lost. Got this for my boy for Christmass, but just got the track around today. Really welcome & appreciate any help! Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

Hey John,

Did you get a manual with that loco? If not, I'll pull one up on Lionels website for you.

Theres no need for that 9VAC battery. Look under the unit for the "RUN/PROG" switch, make sure its in the RUN position. Make sure you have the correct eng #

You wont screw anything up by running conventionaly

Chris

[csxt30]

Chris, thanks a lot. Yes, I have all the Lionel manuals plus 1 on troubleshooting from years back that restores LCRU 2 circuit boards w / chart for whatever eng. I put to run, but where should the other switch be, the one that says Full, RS, & Signal ? I don't think that matters, but have tried both positions, unless it's a 3 position switch. Anyway, it won't run no matter what I try. Maybe the chip bad or something? I thought it should run with just a transformer. Thanks again, John

[csxt30]

Oh, also forgot to tell you it won't take an eng. # when trying to program it in. The lights don't flash or horn blow. John

[Anonymous]

John,

Set that switch to RAILSOUNDS. for all sounds, Signal sounds are just Horn and bell.

When you try to run, with your commands base unplugged, what happenes? If your base is plugged in, it wont move via a transformer handle

Chris

[csxt30]

Ok, with base unplugged, I put handle all the way on and I have eng. idle sounds & directional lights, w / moving other handle on 1044 transformer. That's it. Eng. won't move & base unplugged.

[GregM]

John,

Since the engine won't move with the command base turned off, it sounds like either a wiring problem or bad electronics. A 90 watt transformer should have no problem running a GP-9 by itself.

Just out of curiosity, what number is on the cab? I use the last two numbers as my engine ID and maybe thats what this one was set to. Hated it when Lionel wanted to number all the GP-9's 2380.

I have several of these engines and like them a lot. Hope you can get the problem resolved quickly.

[csxt30]

Hi Greg, the # on this is 2338. Unable to program an eng. # into it. This was 1 of the early ones as it doesn't have the coil couplers on it. Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

John, Ill get back to you later today, Im heading out now

[GregM]

John,

This is a Milwaukee Road GP-9 right? I have one of these myself. I added the electrocouplers to it back before they were blown out when Lionel moved offshore completely. This is a pullmor motor equipped engine. Is it making any attempt to move? Wonder if the brushes are bad or stuck. To bad I don't live closer (North Canton) we could compare the engines and try to determine what's wrong.

Just for fun, try addressing the engine as number 38, number 33, number 23. You did say you got this on E-bay. Maybe the previous owner set the number to one of the above. Wonder if the program run switch is defective? Do you have a multimeter to check it with?

Greg

[Jim Duda]

Have you tried connecting the transformer leads directly to either of the pickup rollers and loco frame to obviate if the motor works at all when it is laying on your bench?

[csxt30]

Greg,thanks again! No, it doesn't want to mave at all. I tried those numbers, and no go. Lehigh Valley is gonna get me some more info later on. I'm gonna try to test that switch now, if i can figure out how! I have DVM. Yes, down the road I know N. Canton. I used to go there to that airplane hobby shop. Arrowtech. I go in that area to fix cars & eng.s now sometimes on my job, And an occasional derailment. I'm out of Astabula, so mostly the Cleveland truck goes there. Let ya know how this is coming. Thanks John

[csxt30]

Thanks Mr. Duda. Will try that right now too! Nice to here from you. always enjoy your reading your posts. Thanks, John

[csxt30]

Hi guys, I tried to test swiych, but can't get to it. Then I tried hooking test leads to rollers & frame & right on eng. The horn blew a couple times, but never did get motor to turn over, I have body off, so I put the leads right on the motor and still no motor turnover. Thanks all, John

[csxt30]

Hey guys you'll never guess! I got it running!! Well, I got it to go in with just a transformer. I found a wire off on the motor, actually I just stumbled onto seeing that wire off. Tried to program an eng. # in, but that was unsuccessfull so far. Anyway we're getting closer! And let me thank everyone for getting me this close. Boy, this is a great forum! THANKS GUYS !

[csxt30]

Got it ! Program switch not quite right, as I had to push it not all the way to program, and it worked. We're all set now. Thanks again everyone!! John

[GregM]

Great news!

[Anonymous]

Got your email! Glad to see its running!

Chris