Radio control buttons dead

[scutter5151]

I was washing the bike and must have gotten to much water on the push buttons where you turn the radio on and CB buttons and every button there doesn't work the fuses are good anyone have an idea what this might be ?

[Rwilkerson]

http://www.wingconnect.com/Garage.html
The rubber keyboard membrane also serves a second function. It protects the keyboard from water that get down in between the keys. I have had a few collapsed nipples that were actually torn. This allowed water to reach the keyboard and damage it. Again, water damage is not covered under my flat rate. Water damaged boards are not repairable and must be replaced. As you can see, what seems simple can actually get quite expensive, especially if you ignore it.

If you are reasonably mechanically inclined and good at putting back together what you took apart, you can clean a keyboard yourself. There are no springs that will pop out or anything. Just remember the order you took everything apart. But many owners don't want to attempt this. That's ok. I can repair it for you. Better yet, send your radio in for the upgrades if it is eligible, and the keyboard will be torn apart and cleaned for free. This is a non-advertised maintenance service that I do on every radio that needs it before it leaves the bench. How can you beat a deal like that?

All you have to do is remove the 4 black screws from the faceplate and lift it off the radio. Then remove the screws holding the circuit board in place.

Most of the time, it is sand in between the buttons that causes them to stick. Sand does not compress like dirt does. But dried soap from washing can cause it too.

The only caution needed here is for two parts. Do not touch the gold circuit board contacts for the switches, and don't touch the black carbon on the tips of the nipples. Skin oil can increase resistance. Do not clean these points with anything either. The carbon and the coating on the gold contacts comes off easily. Stick with cleaning the black plastic pieces and you will be fine.

You can check the nipples for a problem by pressing on them. A bad nipple will be weak and want to compress to the side instead of straight down. Compare good ones against one that you suspect is bad. If you can't tell, when you put it back together, you will find out quickly enough if it was dirt or a collapsed membrane.

[Steve F]

Have you tried removing the battery ground for 5 minutes and reconnecting? (in other words, powering down the entire bike).
Sometimes that's all you'll need to "reset" the radio functionality.

[PastoT]

IN the gl1800 radio the buttons you press down on should rise back up to momentarily actuate the contact between little contacts on the back of a rubber membrane that is one big piece (that way water getting in) doesn't contact the radio components (there are also air passages to dry out anything that might work its way in). Unfortunately road life of a bike can catch sand particles in the switches we push and build up over time and prevent the buttons from being able to return, thus holding the membrane in contact with the circuit board counterparts. I recently changed lights in my radio and found a lot of sand and dust in atop the membrane to be cleaned off. I've read where a low pressure blast of air can clear this without removing the shelter and radio (and radio face) which is a time consuming PITA. If the radio face is dry, try an air hose on it with a few gentle blasts of air. I occasionally use my tire compressor set on 30 psi to clear visible grit from the buttons using the air sprayer attachment (its terribly sandy where I live), it might save you some time. Spilt coffee and soda will complicate the matter and what gets stuck in there!

[Rwilkerson]

IN the gl1800 radio the buttons you press down on should rise back up to momentarily actuate the contact between little contacts on the back of a rubber membrane that is one big piece (that way water getting in) doesn't contact the radio components (there are also air passages to dry out anything that might work its way in). Unfortunately road life of a bike can catch sand particles in the switches we push and build up over time and prevent the buttons from being able to return, thus holding the membrane in contact with the circuit board counterparts. I recently changed lights in my radio and found a lot of sand and dust in atop the membrane to be cleaned off. I've read where a low pressure blast of air can clear this without removing the shelter and radio (and radio face) which is a time consuming PITA. If the radio face is dry, try an air hose on it with a few gentle blasts of air. I occasionally use my tire compressor set on 30 psi to clear visible grit from the buttons using the air sprayer attachment (its terribly sandy where I live), it might save you some time. Spilt coffee and soda will complicate the matter and what gets stuck in there!

After you have tried air, battery reset, fuse check, and still have problems your going to have to pull the shelter and radio. That membrane if it is ripped or the carbon buttons attached to it are gone you will need to replace. I just went thru the procedure. Face of the radio has 4 small screws and has to be gently lifted as there a 2 rows of pins underneath. Take pictures when disassembly and do not clean buttons or printed circuit parts inspect rubber membrane for rips if your can not solve the problem you can send it to wingconnect for repair http://www.wingconnect.com/He has years of experiance and can solve most issues. Hope this helps.

[PastoT]

+1 on Wing Connect. Larry also offers services like mods that remove the bike shelter noise from the intercom circuit and amp upgrades for older radios (if the parts are still available). If I ever park my bike for more than 2 days I plan on sending my radio to him for the microphonics modification and amp upgrade. There is helpful info on his site for removal of the radio and such.

[Rwilkerson]

+1 on Wing Connect. Larry also offers services like mods that remove the bike shelter noise from the intercom circuit and amp upgrades for older radios (if the parts are still available). If I ever park my bike for more than 2 days I plan on sending my radio to him for the microphonics modification and amp upgrade. There is helpful info on his site for removal of the radio and such.

Just had mine done last week, added the Polk DB501's and sound great.(crutchfield, ebay $50.00 for the pair)
Save your self the head ache you could use your time better, and you will be back in the saddle faster.

[Wayne]

OP mentioned cb. If he has pass control check for stuck ptt button.

[Rwilkerson]

OP mentioned cb. If he has pass control check for stuck ptt button.

You lost me? I was to understand this was a post regarding stuck radio buttons. No mention was made about CB.

[Wayne]

He mentioned that none of the buttons were changing functions and the Hondaline passenger control PTT is famous for causing this problem.

[captdecker]

I now have the same trouble.....Was working yesterday and I have not wash it. Fuses are good and tried the reset. Thoughts?

I checked the Wingconnet web page. Read


2. Do you have one of the mp3 adapters that plug into the CD input? These adapters communicate directly with the microprocessor in the radio, and can cause it to lock up in certain situations. This is a design fault in the mp3 adapter, not a problem with your radio.

I unhooked the MP3 adapter and radio now works...Big smile.

[beastwood]

Today I prepared to go for a ride on the GL1800 and all the radio buttons on the console as well as the left handgrip did not work, i.e., they didn't do anything. I saw Wayne's post about stuck PTT button for the passenger. I checked it and sure enough it was jammed. I unjammed it and presto, everything back to normal. Thank you Wayne!

[Kurt J]

Today I prepared to go for a ride on the GL1800 and all the radio buttons on the console as well as the left handgrip did not work, i.e., they didn't do anything. I saw Wayne's post about stuck PTT button for the passenger. I checked it and sure enough it was jammed. I unjammed it and presto, everything back to normal. Thank you Wayne!

Got to love those little simple things that send you into a hundred dollar hunt for the problems....