CB radio shuts off

[Will Marcus]

Hi folks, I'm new to this site and was wondering if someone could help me with my CB problem...
This happens intermittently without notice. I am driving down the road and wonder why I'm not hearing any chatter on my CB from my riding buddies. So I press my transmit button and nothing happens. Not able to transmit or receive during this shut off period. Also at this point the CB readout on my dash shows in transmit mode. The only way to reset this is to shut the bike off and restart it at which time the CB starts working again instantly. Do I need a new CB? (2005 GL1800)

[tfdeputydawg]

Contact Sierra Electronics at 1-800-338-6938

[Will Marcus]

Thanks, I contacted them in Aug. 2020 and they did not think they could help me due to the CB resetting once bike is shut off and restarted.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Does your transmit button spring back into the up or off position correctly ???

Do you have a Hondaline CB, or is it aftermarket ???

[Will Marcus]

Thanks - Yes, transmit button does return to the idle position. I have a honda brand CB.

[DelusionalM]

Do you get a "CB ERROR" when you start the bike?
One possible cause can be a poor battery. It will crank to beat the bear and start just fine but the voltage will drop enough that the CB gets cranky and locks itself out until you do a restart.
Just something to check. I hope it helps.

[Will Marcus]

Thanks - I don't get a CB error message when I start the bike. It usually happens during the ride. I will have battery checked for strength to see it that may the problem. Thanks for the tip.

[DelusionalM]

Also check the power connector ( If I remember correctly it is a 3 wire plug under the seat near the relay bank) for corrosion and properly connected.
Grounds would be another thing to check for corrosion.

[kwthom]

Interesting...one of my specialties during my working days. I coulda had that job forever had I wanted it...

It's from two sources - heat or vibration. Might be a combination of both, but that's rather rare.

You're going to need to see if you can get it to happen repeatedly. By that, I mean trying to identify if it's when you've been riding for a certain amount of time (vibration and heat can build up over time) or number of hours of riding.

Shutting the bike off and then turning it back on is interrupting that heat/vibration cycle, causing the failure mode to recycle and start again - until hitting that optimum point in time where it breaks again.

Sierra certainly can't replicate your problem because it's all integrated into your bike. It's next-to-impossible to try and replicate that on a workbench. Believe me - in my working days, I had the resources to pull that off periodically.

So, I'd start with trying to be really cognizant of when it breaks, as described above.

EDIT: The *other* trick is to try and get it to break 'permanently'. Then, anyone can find it.

Luck to ya!

[Will Marcus]

Thanks - Will check the connections to ensure solid and no corrosion. Will also note air temperature at time of occurence to see if it translates into potential heating issue. Thanks for the tips.

[tamathumper]

A fix for "stuck in transmit" was just posted in another forum.

2015 1500gl Navi/comfort. CB was stuck in transmit. Pulled fused, turned it off etc etc and would always be in transmit. With it in transmit the radio would not play So always had to keep it CB off.
Was going to take it in for warranty but decided to access the CB from the trunk. Unplugged all the cables and still stuck in TX. Finally unplugged the red power and display showed a CB error. Reseated cables again and all works.

[Will Marcus]

Thanks - I just had a look at it and will try it.

[PALINTL1]

Did you get a fix for this? My 2014 Gl18 trike does the same thing.

[Will Marcus]

I haven't had it re-occur. The only thing I did different this riding season was that I put a Corbin seat on my bike and probably corrected a loose connection by luck.