I purchased a Marklin HO starter set model number 29310.

When I run the train in reverse and turn on the light, it goes on in the engineer's cab when I push the light controller button and off when I push it again.

However, when I go forward the light will not go on pushing the button and also goes off on its own if I reverse the direction from reverse.

I have sent a message to the Marklin technical people twice and they have not responded.

The decoder chip as well as the wiring looks the same as pictures I looked up with a train friend of mine.

Does anyone know what may be going on? Can this be fixed to go on when the train goes forward? Is it an engineering mistake?

To me the light should go on when the train is in the forward motion. If it is supposed to only go on in the reverse, could someone give me a reason for that?

Thanks

It is actually a white light. It is accessed by a button on the remote.

The instruction manual that I got does not say one way or the other that there is a light. There are no front running lights or back up lights. The cab just lights up.

See attachment. Thanks for whatever info you can give me. I'll look again and see if I can find the database. Can you give me a link to it?

This is what Marklin says about this set (and the fact it does not say anything about lights, means there are no lights, as HO said):

Model: The locomotive comes with a digital decoder and a special motor. 1 axle powered. Traction tires. Coupling hook. Robust model tractor with a trailer and a harvester with gripper arm, mainly made ​​of metal. Tree trunks made ​​of plastic. All of the cars have Relex couplers. Train length 49.8 cm. Contents: 12 24130 curved track, 4 straight track 24188, 1 base station, 7 straight tracks 24172, 2 curved tracks 24224, 1 right turnout and 1 24612 Weiche links 24611th switching power supply and a wireless infrared controller. Expanded with the C Track extension sets and the entire C Track program. The turnouts can be retrofitted with the electric drive 74,492th

Regarding the 29173 starter set, similar to yours, Marklin instead says (emphasis added):

Model: The tank locomotive has a digital decoder and a special motor. 1 axle powered. Traction tires. The dual headlights change over with the direction of travel, will work in conventional operation, and can be controlled digitally. The locomotive has coupler hooks. This set has 1 low side car with a load and 1 dump car, each with Relex couplers. Train length 34.0 cm / 13-3/8". Contents: 12 no. 24130 curved track, 2 no. 24172 straight track, 1 no. 24188 straight track, 1 base station, 1 switched mode power pack, and a wireless infrared controller. This set can be expanded with the C Track extension sets and with the entire C Track program.

The set you have still looks like a nice set and if you have a light that goes on in the cab, enjoy it as a bonus.

Hate to tell you this, Zev, but there is nothing to "fix". The set you got has a little loco without lights. That does not make it a bad loco.

If you want a loco with lights, buy another loco and you will have lights. You will also have TWO locos, which is when this hobby becomes much more interesting.

You then want a parking side for one loco while the other one runs around. So you buy a bit more track and a stopper.

You then realize that you need a few wagons for the new loco and you buy a few wagons.

If you have a child, buy another wireless remote, they cost only about CAD$45.00 - you give one to your son/daughter and you have the other one. One remote controls one loco and the other remote controls the other loco.

Lots of fun and bonding with your kid.

My usual 2 cents' worth.

According to the instructions https://static.maerklin....19de361be71434542424.pdf
the model is equipped with lights and warning light that can be digitally controlled.

There is, however, no mention of any lighting or light channels in the parts/exploded diagram associated with this set.

Have you seen another lok from the same set? Does it behave the same?

What I would recommend is that you test the locomotive using a MS2 or CS2 which can test the features better than the IR control.

Regards

Mike C

Tom is correct. The manual incorrectly mentions working lights which don't exist on the model.

In the same manual where it lists the digital functions you can see that the only function listed is the acceleration/braking delay on/off