MTS2000 - corrupted codeplug or faulty LCD??

[g8tzl2004]

I have just acquired an 160 channel UHF MTS2000 with front LCD and keypad. Type PJ502H , Model H01RDH9PW8AN

I think it might have a corrupted codeplug or a faulty LCD. I have not yet tried to read/write the radio.

Details are as follows:

- radio is both RXing and TXing OK on just one frequency .

- at "boot up", the top half of the LCD shows usual stuff - scan "Z" , battery display etc BUT the bottom half shows lots of small black vertical lines.

- after switch on, "C1" is displayed BUT when I press the keypad I get lots of random meaningless characters appearing on the bottom half of the LCD...looks like words missing "vertical lines" of pixels.

- if I, say, press the "8" key several times, the number appears on the LCD but some 8's are again missing "vertical lines" of pixels

- the LCD backlight and keypad light always seems to be on (maybe a programming issue)

- turning the top knob or pressing any of the side keys results in an "error" bleep (but they might just not be programmed)

If it a faulty LCD. I'm not sure why the TOP of the LCD seems OK - it just appears to be the bottom of the LCD missing vertical "pixel lines"..although maybe its just the bottom of the LCD which is set up for "variable" characters?

Is there a fix.. maybe reseating the flex cable?? Could it be an LCD driver issue?

Any thoughts?

Thanks

[Tom in D.C.]

I had a very similar problem with my UHF MTS2000 Model 3 recently. Infrequently the display would show all of its pixels, but usually not, and the malfunction varied from one time to the next time. I bought a new LCD, flex, speaker, and side contact interface plate on eBay for about $60 and had a friend install it for me since he had done the job previously, but first he tried to work with the flex plug-in but got no results. Putting in the new unit fixed the problem completely and now the display is 100% good 100% of the time. There is a lot of MTS stuff listed on eBay if you want to go that route. Granted it's not a cheap fix but it will get your radio back into working condition.

[Will]

There is one here in the shop like that, no display or keypad operation but does RX and TX.

Tried another front cover/display/keypad and that one works.
Looks like more trouble shooting this one.

[g8tzl2004]

Thanks for the feedback.

I did some more digging on the board archive and it looks like there has been lots of problems with faulty LCD's on MTS2000's produced between Jan 1999 and Nov 2006 (since xxxxAZAxxx manufacture date)...which my MTS2000 fits.

Earlier MTS2000's are apparently OK. Motorola issued an SRN-1394C and provided free LCD replacement for US based radios...not sure about overseas. I think the free replacement expired in 2009.

I can't find any fix suggestions..one comment was that the LCD flex which is bonded to the PCB loses its connection over time??

[d119]

Thanks for the feedback.

I did some more digging on the board archive and it looks like there has been lots of problems with faulty LCD's on MTS2000's produced between Jan 1999 and Nov 2006 (since xxxxAZAxxx manufacture date)...which my MTS2000 fits.

Earlier MTS2000's are apparently OK. Motorola issued an SRN-1394C and provided free LCD replacement for US based radios...not sure about overseas. I think the free replacement expired in 2009.

I can't find any fix suggestions..one comment was that the LCD flex which is bonded to the PCB loses its connection over time??

I wish they'd reissue that SRN... But I know they won't. I've got about 15 full keypad & display MT 2000's that are just completely useless.

[RadioSouth]

EBay seller Lone_Mountain_Communications advertises a display fix for $29.00 with a 90 day warranty. Never dealt with him, with the few Jedi's I still use I saved his listing a few months back for possible future use. Sounds like you could use his service.

[g8tzl2004]

Its very interesting that there is a display fix. Any idea if this involves replacing the LCD or is there a fix for the existing display?

If there is a fix for the existing display, anybody know what it involves? Maybe reflowing solder between LCD and PCB??

[beemare]

Earlier MTS2000's are apparently OK. Motorola issued an SRN-1394C and provided free LCD replacement for US based radios...not sure about overseas. I think the free replacement expired in 2009.

It was re-issued as FSB10051B, but yes, unfortunately it ended Mar 31, 2009. Fingers crossed they will re-issue it, but chances are they more than likely will not.

Oh well.

[d119]

Earlier MTS2000's are apparently OK. Motorola issued an SRN-1394C and provided free LCD replacement for US based radios...not sure about overseas. I think the free replacement expired in 2009.

It was re-issued as FSB10051B, but yes, unfortunately it ended Mar 31, 2009. Fingers crossed they will re-issue it, but chances are they more than likely will not.

Oh well.

Yeah, that's my feeling. I'll hold on to these MT 2000's in hopes that it gets reissued one final time, but I'm not holding my breath.

[com501]

As far as Moto is concerned, MTS2000s are pretty much end of life.

For the bad LCD, replace it. Trying to reflow the display flex is like trying to fix one of those old Bravo display flexes. Unless you have the special heat sealing tool that is used at the factory, good luck.

[fineshot1]

Its very interesting that there is a display fix. Any idea if this involves replacing the LCD or is there a fix for the existing display?

If there is a fix for the existing display, anybody know what it involves? Maybe reflowing solder between LCD and PCB??

There is no solder on the connection between the LCD and the PCB, it is a glue bond with a delicate plastic flex
and you would be hard pressed to be equipped to fix it. That is why moto had the radios sent in to moto mexico
cause they were appropriately equipped to deal with the rework problem.

[g8tzl2004]

Interesting - see Batboard thread "Jedi Missing Pixels FSB Extended" (at end of thread) for clothing iron trick for fixing faulty LCD's!!!

[fineshot1]

Interesting - see Batboard thread "Jedi Missing Pixels FSB Extended" (at end of thread) for clothing iron trick for fixing faulty LCD's!!!

Yes - I have seen that and done it. Its actually easier using a heat gun for shrink tubing with the attachment for directing
the hot air stream.

Sometimes it works, and sometimes it does not and if you apply too much heat too quickly say goodby to the mini flex,
but you have nothing to lose by trying.