Spectra FAIL 001 on mode changes

[kcbooboo]

50w VHF radio. Was displaying occasional FAIL 001 messages, but they would go away and the radio works fine otherwise. Electrolytic caps HAVE been replaced. Still gives FAIL 001 messages whenever the mode is changed, but after 3-8 seconds, the message goes away and the radio works fine again. Happens on every mode change.

I still suspect a capacitor, or maybe a bad foil if the caps had leaked, but it's not my radio and is over in Europe.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what they found was the cause.

Thanks.

Bob M.

[kc7gr]

You're probably on the right track with the idea of traces damaged by capacitor leakage. I've had that happen to other Spectras after cap replacement, especially if the problem went uncorrected long enough to discolor the solder mask, or turn other solder joints in the vicinity black.

Failing that, I would also suspect the reference oscillator. I've had three of 'em fail in the past two years.

Happy tweaking.

[Glen W Christen]

In spite of many years in the business, I've only worked on a few Spectras. Which capacitors are the ones that the above writer referred to in regard to the fail 001 message?

[kcbooboo]

The five electrolytic can capacitors on the RF board, four on the command board, two on the control head, and one on the PA board. In other words, all the ones that can leak.

Bob M.

[Glen W Christen]

Thanks!