Batboard

I've got four seperate Dash Mount spectras that on power up, flash SELF CHK and never complete the self check.

Any thoughts??

If they seem to reset, flash SELF CHK, then fade off, then repeat this, the radio is probably stuck in this loop.

Several things. If you have a RIB plugged into the radio, make sure it's getting power. An unpowered RIB will drag the BUS and BUSY lines down and cause this problem.

An error in the MLM or command board's memory will cause this problem, although there might also be an unseen error or failure code on the display. A missing or bad MLM can also do this.

You might be able to access the radio with RSS, but it's not likely.

There are some tricks that might get you out of this loop. Search the board and the info in the model-specific Spectra area for FAIL 999 errors. These are usually what you'd see if the display would stay alive long enough.

Bob M.

Four radios with the same problem would be unusual unless they were a lot you picked up on ebay and someone had taken out the MLM or something like that.

Check your power source, measure the voltage right at the power jack while powering the radio up. If there's a high resistance in the power lead the voltage might be enough for the radio to start to power up, then as it draws current the voltage will drop and cause the radio to reset.

Also, these radios are highly sensitive to different voltages on the main power lead vs the ignition control lead. They both should be connected to the same power source. You must supply voltage to the ignition lead, so if you're using the same power cable and accessory plug for testing all the radios, that could be your problem.

Make sure you have the emergency line grounded in your accessory plug.

The radios draw about half an amp when powering up and more when receiving (depends on the audio level). Don't unplug the accessory connector with main power still applied; it puts the radio into a weird condition.

Bob M.

Sounds like they are all missing the MLM to me.. I had one doing that, opened it up and sure enough the MLM was gone.

If they are missing the MLM's I have a few and maybe able to help you out.

Jason

D Smiley--

Have you made any progress against your problem? If you find that it is not an MLM issue, there are a couple of other possibilities...

If the one of the timing crystals is damaged or otherwise off frequency, the boards may not be able to communicate with each other. I had this happen to a Railroad Spectra a few years ago. Replacing the crystal made it good as new.

Also...this is another symptom that can come from failed electrolytic capacitors. My experience here is that if you are getting this behavior from failed capacitors, the circuit boards are probably damaged beyond reasonable repair.

I agree with the other posters that when you have multiple radios with the same symptoms, it is usually because someone has done something to them or removed something from them. But it is also possible that the radio shop got these radios in over a period of time, didn't know how to fix them, so just stacked them to the side until someone found and sold them.

Good Luck!