Spectra Fail code oddity

[elesjuan]

I bought a Spectra from the junk-depot online whch was a remote mount but convinently didn't come with control cable. Imagine that? Called a local Moto dealer to price out the HLN6285A and was told $65 plus tax. Nothing like 100% markup for retail? Got one off the junk-depot again for the tune of $4.00 and some shipping. Threw the radio together and attempted to fire it up. Woah! "L" comes and fades, then "FL 01/90." I've done all the research I can about this fail code with mixed results. Popped the top off the radio and started tinkering with some boards. In the center of the radio under the pop-off shield is a board I removed to inspect previously because I'm a little too curious for my own good. Removed and reseated that. On the right hand side of the radio there are 4 screws and a metal shield, which my curiosity got the best of me on too. Performed same task, removed the screws and inspected that. After doing those two items the radio powers on to transmit and receive perfectly fine.. Until you power cycle it, then it comes up with the fail code again. Doing the same procedures yields the same results. Works until power cycle.

I'm suspecting at this time the problem is actually under that piece with the 4 screws. Now, forgive me because I know not what that piece is called, or any of them for that matter.. I'm new to Spectras, this is my first one and I'm trying to learn. Can't really seem to find a site of exploded photographs telling what board is what, which does what, and which is common to go bad. I'm assuming the PA controller is under that cover? No clue.

I did not remove any other boards in the radio but inspected them.. Something could've come loose? Replacing that board might yield positive results? Am I hosed?

[Josh]

The problem could be bad caps

If the FAIL 01/90 comes and goes and the head power cycles, then the problem is power getting to the radio. You may want to check fuses.

that fail code means that power isn't getting somewhere it needs to.

There should also have been two wires on the control cable, one green, one orange which both get +12v applied to them.

If it still doesn't work, you may want to locate a dash-mount interconnect board and put the control head right one the drawer unit, unless it's a high power or A9 type head, it will work. You can then troubleshoot from there.

-Josh

[jackhackett]

that fail code means that power isn't getting somewhere it needs to.

What that fail code actually indicates is a serial bus failure. Basically the control head and command board are not communicating. This could be caused by a number of things, such as a bad head, bad command board, bad cable, or power to head but not radio (ignition leads connected but main power not).

[elesjuan]

There might've been a misunderstanding of my first post.

This WAS a remote mount, is NOW a DASH MOUNT. I do have a remote control cable on the way, but its not here yet.

Its sitting on a bench with a 30 amp power supply hooked up, and its got good connections. Still comes up and says FL 01/90 until I wiggle that strange (RF?) board inside then it starts working. I looked at the caps on that main board just inside the top (I guess thats the command board?) and they do not show signs of leakage per the repeater-builder cap replacement thread. I'll still replace them with new caps if someone thinks that might help this?

Now that I'm taking a closer look at HLN6285A board it kinda appears like there might be some cold solder joints. Would that be more of a cause of the intermittent error? I removed that board along with the control head, reinstalled then it would power on and "boot" about 10 times or so, then placed screws back in the front panel then it stops powering on fully, just starts giving the error again. What the heck is going on here?

I have a control cable coming I bought from someone on one of these boards, but its not here yet so I can't do any testing with it. :-/

[elesjuan]

Retouched all solder joints on the HLN display adapter board. Did not make a difference.

I'm out of ideas.

Help?

[OCSD117]

Bad Caps did something similar to me!

[Mikey]

I'd Replace all the Caps even if they didn't show signs of leakage

[misawatech]

Now that I'm taking a closer look at HLN6285A board it kinda appears like there might be some cold solder joints. Would that be more of a cause of the intermittent error? I removed that board along with the control head, reinstalled then it would power on and "boot" about 10 times or so, then placed screws back in the front panel then it stops powering on fully, just starts giving the error again. What the heck is going on here?

You said it works without the front panel screws so I would look for a short between the screws and the board. By the front panel I assume you mean the controlhead/display? The other questions would be the accessory power connector in the back. Since you said it is a dash mount now instead of a remote mount you should have a 12v power connection into the accessory port. I believe you do since the radio works at times. One other thing I've found with some astros is the plastic on the power connection splits and then allows the connector to loosen causing intermittent power problems.

Hope this helps

[mancow]

That small board you describe is the receiver's preselector and should not produce a fail 01/90, or at least I wouldn't think so. I would tend to agree with the bad caps theory.

[Tom in D.C.]

Also, for more FAIL 1/90 comments and theory, try this site:

http://batlabs.com/spectra.html