Astro Spectra W3 Problem!!!

[KRM02]

So the other day after having it installed in my vehicle for the past two years without so much as a hiccup, my Astro W3 display faded away and the HHCH shut off by it self. After I restarted it, it lasted a few seconds and shut off again... next restart off again only quicker... next restart only the green light... next restart nothing. Since I didn't have the time to play with it the radio sat as is overnight. The next day the entire process started over, with the radio lasting about a minute the first time, so on and so on. Well figuring it was a bad ground or other connection I pulled the radio and set it up on the bench, unfortunately I found more of the same. The problem remains very consistent and seems almost like something is overheating. Although I am experienced with installation and wiring, I am sad to say that I am a novice when it comes to technical repairs such as this, therefore I didn't dare open up the radio without consulting with the board. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated... really hope the radio isn't a paperweight! Thanks in advance.

-Kris

[N4DES]

Well lets start from the begining, what band is the radio and what is programmed into it?

[KRM02]

The radio is UHF and it is programmed with my departments frequencies, nothing special really.

[akardam]

A better question would be to ask what physical configuration the radio is in.

Do you have the W3 control head plugged directly into the radio or do you have the extension cable installed?

Do you have the ignition sense/speaker plug going into the back of the radio, or if you're using the extension above, into the extension?

When the radio powers up initially, do you get tones if for example you change channels, adjust the volume, or if you open up the squelch? Is this still true after the display on the W3 fades out?

[KRM02]

The radio and cables seem to be in excellent physical condition and I have checked and cleaned all connections, I am using the standard 15' extenstion cable for the HHCH, the ignition sw and speaker are in the accessory port on the extension cable. When the radio powers up all tones are present and the buttons on the HHCH function properly, but when the display fades away the tones and backlighting are gone and the radio appears to be off, not just the display.

[Code3]

Not that is has any direct correlation to your issue, but I have noticed the exact same behavior when I put W3 hardware on a chassis that is not configured as a W3. The display comes up, but then fades away to being unreadable.

Have you put the radio in service mode and tried adjusting the contrast? It doesn't sound like that is your problem, but its worth a shot.

[N4DES]

A better question would be to ask what physical configuration the radio is in.

I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't an 800 trunking radio that got inhibited before we started talking about hardware failures.

[KRM02]

In response to Code 3's question, the radio is a true W3 chassis, and it does not seem to be as simple as the display contrast being the cause, as there is no functionality at all after the display fades away. Also the radio has been used successfully for the past two years. Thanks to all so far.