Spectra Problem

[gjhamilton]

I have used the batlabs site for a while now for all my problems. I just recently found this forum and have a question. I am new to this board and I really appreciate everyone's responses. I have a Motorola Spectra that will only power up when connected to the programming cable. I have 2 other radios that work fine, and I have swapped this radio in their place, still no luck. Once again thanks for everyone's help in advance.

[Bill_G]

Ignition sense lead maybe?

[Jim202]

I have used the batlabs site for a while now for all my problems. I just recently found this forum and have a question. I am new to this board and I really appreciate everyone's responses. I have a Motorola Spectra that will only power up when connected to the programming cable. I have 2 other radios that work fine, and I have swapped this radio in their place, still no luck. Once again thanks for everyone's help in advance.

Like Bill said, I would check into how you have the radio connected to the supply power. You will need to have power on the heavy transmit power wires as well as the green and orange wires from the control head. This means the large black wire needs to go to the negative side of your power source. The heavy red wire goes to the plus side and also connect the green and orange wires from the control head to the plus of your power source.

If you have all that wired up, then make sure you have good fuses on all 3 wires. Use a volt meter and make sure there is 12 volts on the wires on the radio side of the fuse. Many times these radios have been through a number of different installs over time and end up with splices in the wires. These splices tend to get oxidation over time and cause poor connections.

Another point to ponder. If you intend to do any transmitting with the radio, make sure your power source has enough current ability to hold the transmitter up. A 100 watt radio will pull in the order of 20 to 22 amps when you mash the mic button.

[com501]

This sounds like the old test bench 'the radio is getting its ground from the programming cable and not the p/s' issue. Can't tell you how many rookies flamed programming cables this way....

[gjhamilton]

I have checked all your suggestions. Radio is for receive only. I can take a working radio out, take the broken radio and use all the same plugs and still will not power up. So I think the issue is with the radio.

[Jim202]

I have checked all your suggestions. Radio is for receive only. I can take a working radio out, take the broken radio and use all the same plugs and still will not power up. So I think the issue is with the radio.

Unless I missed it someplace, there is no indication given if this is a trunk mount or dash mount radio. There is a possibility that you have a problem with the control head electronics in the power on section. If this is the case, try swapping just the control head from a good radio to the bad radio. It should only take the removal of the two screws on the front side of the control head. Some of the cap screws are Allen and the other is a Torx head. Once you have the 2 screws out, the head should pull straight out. You will have an adapter behind the head that really should stay with the radio. Many times it comes out with the head. Make sure you don't bend the pins.

Jim

[gjhamilton]

Thanks Jim turned out the control head is bad. Works fine with one from another radio. The part number on bad control head is HLN6075D. Are these things interchangeable or do I need to find one with that exact part number. Thanks again for everyone's replies.

[Jim202]

Thanks Jim turned out the control head is bad. Works fine with one from another radio. The part number on bad control head is HLN6075D. Are these things interchangeable or do I need to find one with that exact part number. Thanks again for everyone's replies.

The Spectra is very forgiving to just about everything except to power on issues. The heads are the same per say if you stay with the same version or layout of the buttons. You didn't indicate which version of the head you have, like W5, W7, or W9. You can't change between models of different buttons without hacking the radio configuration software.

The power up circuit is not that hard to work through. If your not worried about ignition control or turning the radio off and on with the front power button, you may be able to make a simple circuit mod to make the radio power up with power applied to the normal feed wires. Just remember that you will not have any control of the on / off of the radio after that.

There are some surface mount jumpers that control the power on and a transistor. If your good with a soldering iron and small components, you may be able to do it yourself. If not, then just find another head. They are plentiful on places like Ebay and should be able to be had for almost nothing.

Jim