Thanks for the tips! Well, I have had the L293D on this project for about 3 months now, and then used it for a year on another application...So I it could be that it had its fair share of experimentation.
Though I am not ruling out other causes. I am not using a "decouping capacitor". I have never used one, how do I implement one, how do I know what values to use? And how does it help a circuit with motors in it? I will read online material, but as we know, first-hand experience is always invaluable.
Many thanks.