CB radio troubles

[Charlie1Horse]

We have had several weeks of unrelenting rain and so I have not been able to ride at all. Last week we had some good weather and I rode on several lunch and Patriot Guard rides with no problems. Then I tried to use my CB radio and it wouldn't transmit. Then it started locking up the am/fm radio when I tried to transmit. Only turning the CB off would allow the radio to come back on. Since I park outside, no room in the garage, covered with a tarp. So I thought maybe a bad connection due to humidity. I opened the trunk and dug down to the CB only to find 1/2" of water in the well. It had penetrated the CB unit. I opened the end and sprayed contact cleaner in it and left it to dry out with the trunk open in the sun.I soaked up all the water and then put the unit back together. When I tried it again, it seemed to work but I had nearly zero squelch and it showed TX when depressed and nothing when released. The radio interacted properly after drying it out but, I could not communicate. After a short time it started locking up the radio again. Today I removed everything to get the CB out which included even removing the shelter for one wire connection. I disassembled the entire CB and cleaned it out as much as possible. I put a little Dielectric grease in every connection. I even changed my high beam headlights with LED in the process. Everything back together and it still has the same trouble.
What do you think? Should I send it to Sierra Electronics? After my last time with Sierra, I am a little unsure about sending it to them. I have sprayed all the switches and they all show input to the display so I don't think it is a control problem. Thanks for any ideas or input.
Russell

[Rambozo]

If there is any corrosion on the circuit board, you can try cleaning it with IPA and/or an ultrasonic cleaner.
Otherwise, Sierra is your best bet.
Did you figure out how the water got in there? Better fix that before you put the CB back in there.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Long ago, and to practice riding in heavy rains with 50mph gusts (sideways rain), I once venture out when hurricane bands were dumping rain from above. Lucky for me, there was no other traffic, so it was a, let say, perfect practice day. However, the next day I found lots of condensaion in my trumk, and my CB floating in its cubby. I was surprised that my Hondaline CB did not seem affected at all.

Does your CB have a Honda or Harley sticker on it ???

[Charlie1Horse]

If there is any corrosion on the circuit board, you can try cleaning it with IPA and/or an ultrasonic cleaner.
Otherwise, Sierra is your best bet.
Did you figure out how the water got in there? Better fix that before you put the CB back in there.

There is a little corrosion in a couple of places on the PCB and I tried some electronics cleaner. It is cleaner but, not real clean. I am not sure what IPA is or where to find it. I can remove and disassemble it again if needed. After searching for where the water got in I think it got in when I got caught out in the rain a couple of times from about a 1/2' gap between the passenger backrest and the trunk. It was on properly but doesn't pull up tight to the trunk like my other bikes.

Long ago, and to practice riding in heavy rains, with 50mph gusts (sideways rain), I once venture out when hurricane bands were dumping rain from above. The next day, I found my CB floating in the cubby. I was surprised that my Hondaline CB was not affected at all.

Does your CB have a Honda or Harley sticker on it ???

It is a Honda CB and it looks to be a sealed unit however, the end seal (rubber gasket) is obviously leaking. I guess I will take it out again and try some more cleaning but, the one cable goes all the way up to the radio so, it is a pain to remove.
Thanks Guys
Russell

[kwthom]

<...>
I disassembled the entire CB and cleaned it out as much as possible. I put a little Dielectric grease in every connection. I even changed my high beam headlights with LED in the process. Everything back together and it still has the same trouble.<...>

Still has moisture inside of it.

Before you send it to Sierra, there's one more trick to try...and, yes, it will involve a bit of time:

Remove the radio from the bike - remove the covers to expose as much of the circuit boards (both sides) as practical.

Put the circuit board in bag (maybe half a pound?) of kitty litter.

Let it sit - for a few days. This will be a desiccant to remove the moisture that may have infiltrated the components, although...

You may have done more harm than good by reapplying power so soon after your initial attempt at resurrection. This old Verge article discusses this situation with a cell phone; your CB guts are equivalent. Hopefully in your attempt to revive it, you haven't done additional component-level damage.

https://www.theverge.com/2015/9/14/9326 ... -wet-phone

Good luck; hope it's not fatal.

[Rambozo]

IPA = Isopropyl Alcohol 99% It will clean and suck up any moisture. You can find it at your local drugstore.

[Charlie1Horse]

IPA = Isopropyl Alcohol 99% It will clean and suck up any moisture. You can find it at your local drugstore.

Thanks, I figured it out after thinking about it for a while. Went to Wally World and found some 91% and took it all apart and cleaned it again. Used this IPA and a small soft brush to clean both sides of both circuit boards. Then I put them in the sun in front of a fan and waited for it to dry. Reassembled and still no joy. Sealed up with waterproof tape over the holes in the front of the trunk, with the seat back off.I think that is where the water got in. It was about 1/2" deep. It's all clean now but still doesn't work. Thanks for all the help but, I guess I am going to have to send it off. Bummer!!
I can get ir repaired for $140.00 and I have seen used ones on ebay for over $700.00. That's crazy.
Russell

[GoldWingrGreg]

It is a Honda CB and it looks to be a sealed unit however, the end seal (rubber gasket) is obviously leaking. I guess I will take it out again and try some more cleaning but, the one cable goes all the way up to the radio so, it is a pain to remove.
Thanks Guys
Russell

Here at JustWings - GL1800 Specialty Service and Repair, if we had a customers Wing in with such an issue, we'd contact the local dealer and ask them if Honda's official CB repair center still support them. I cannot remember if the CB is made by Panasonic, or Clarion. If they do, get the forms from the dealer, fill them out, remove the CB, and carry the CB and the forms into a Honda dealer. They'll ship the CB off for an "out of warranty repair." I beleive both Clarion, and Panasonic's repair centers are in Los Angeles, CA.

[Charlie1Horse]

It is a Honda CB and it looks to be a sealed unit however, the end seal (rubber gasket) is obviously leaking. I guess I will take it out again and try some more cleaning but, the one cable goes all the way up to the radio so, it is a pain to remove.
Thanks Guys
Russell

Here at JustWings - GL1800 Specialty Service and Repair, if we had a customers Wing in with such an issue, we'd contact the local dealer and ask them if Honda's official CB repair center still support them. I cannot remember if the CB is made by Panasonic, or Clarion. If they do, get the forms from the dealer, fill them out, remove the CB, and carry the CB and the forms into a Honda dealer. They'll ship the CB off for an "out of warranty repair." I believe both Clarion, and Panasonic's repair centers are in Los Angeles, CA.

This is a Clarion radio, model number JC-215H. Serial number 0007628. Manufactured September 2000.
Honda part number 08E95-MCA-1000. I don't know about the 1000 part number.
Never seen a four digit last segment, maybe a typo. It's really hard to ride deaf and mute with the group when I am used to communicating. It still 'locks up' the AM/FM when I press the PTT button and wont release it until I turn the CB off.
No RX or TX on the display and no squelch even when turned all the way down to '1'. Thanks for all the info.
Russell

[baumedagn]

A friend has this same thing happen last year. Once the power is put to the unit when "submerged", likely one or more components have given their all. Find a local repair shop or send it to Sierra.

[Charlie1Horse]

Sent it to Sierra today. Now for waiting for return. $140.00 for repair. Around $700.00 for another used one.
Thanks for all responses.
Russell

[Charlie1Horse]

I just found and bought one on ebay that was listed as a radio control unit for $99.00. Mine was manufactured in Sept. 2000. The one i just bought was manufactured in Feb. 2005. I just, yesterday sent mine to Sierra for a $140.00 repair. So, now I will have an extra one. Thanks for all the replies.
Russell

[GoldWingrGreg]

If your rubber grommit on the main harness, that goes thru the front trunk panel is any good, I'd be willing to buy it ... please, please please

My 07 is getting a resto from the ground up, and that grommet it all cracked out.

[Rambozo]

Another option for hard to source gromets and other rubber parts is you can 3D print them from TPU for FDM printers, or now there is a silicone formula for resin 3D SLA printers that is amazing. There are services that will print small parts at pretty low cost with quick turnaround. I just saw some custom shaft seals printed because they were no longer available. The silicone replacements worked better than the original OEM parts.

https://formlabs.com/store/materials/si ... 40a-resin/

[Charlie1Horse]

Well, I got bad news from Sierra Electronics this morning. They said that my CB is not repairable. So, instead of sending it back and paying for shipping, they are going to dispose of it, whatever that means. It's a good thing that I found the other one. Just waiting for it to arrive now. I'm hoping for the best, but you know what buying on ebay means, taking a chance on, the honesty of the seller.
Russell

[GoldWingrGreg]

Well, I got bad news from Sierra Electronics this morning. They said that my CB is not repairable. So, instead of sending it back and paying for shipping, they are going to dispose of it, whatever that means. It's a good thing that I found the other one. Just waiting for it to arrive now. I'm hoping for the best, but you know what buying on ebay means, taking a chance on, the honesty of the seller.
Russell

Darn, I sure could have used that grommet. If you know the grommet is good, can you ship the CB to me ???

[Charlie1Horse]

Well, I got bad news from Sierra Electronics this morning. They said that my CB is not repairable. So, instead of sending it back and paying for shipping, they are going to dispose of it, whatever that means. It's a good thing that I found the other one. Just waiting for it to arrive now. I'm hoping for the best, but you know what buying on ebay means, taking a chance on, the honesty of the seller.
Russell

Darn, I sure could have used that grommet. If you know the grommet is good, can you ship the CB to me ???

Sorry, Greg fut they have already disposed of it. My ebay radio was delivered today and I got it installed and, without having anyone to talk to, it seems to be good. My wing sits outside covered with a tarp. When I removed the original CB there was water in the well. I cleaned it out and waited for the new/used one to arrive, and being covered with a tarp, I found water in the well today when I put the new one in. Where can it be coming from??? I dried it again and, since I don't have a CD changer, I installed it in the CD changer area so now the water would have to be about one and a half inches to reach it again. I will be checking weekly for another place for water to enter. At least, it can't get wet for a while and I'll check it often. Oh BTW the grommet on this one is not so good either. I have it taped over to shield the grommet from water, I hope.
Russell

[Rambozo]

Since it's close to Halloween, maybe find someone with a small smoke machine. They are great for finding water leaks.

[Charlie1Horse]

Since it's close to Halloween, maybe find someone with a small smoke machine. They are great for finding water leaks.

I didn't think about that but, I have a halloween smoke machine. I'll have to find it and try that out. And then I just wonder if there is some way to use it for smoke testing the emission system on my car that has the check engine light on.

Just a thought for GoldWingGreg but you should be able to go to an auto junk yard and check out grommets like door wiring grommets or speedo cable firewall grommets, etc. You would probably get lucky and let us know what you find that works. If I get the chance, I will try that myself and report what fits. Just measure the hole and measure similar ones on a bunch of cars/trucks.
Russell

[Rambozo]

I didn't think about that but, I have a halloween smoke machine. I'll have to find it and try that out. And then I just wonder if there is some way to use it for smoke testing the emission system on my car that has the check engine light on.

Just a thought for GoldWingGreg but you should be able to go to an auto junk yard and check out grommets like door wiring grommets or speedo cable firewall grommets, etc. You would probably get lucky and let us know what you find that works. If I get the chance, I will try that myself and report what fits. Just measure the hole and measure similar ones on a bunch of cars/trucks.

I've used Halloween smoke machines for years to test for evap leaks, trunk and door seals, etc. They are made just like the Snap-On units except for the label and an extra zero or two on the price tag. You just have to get creative with hoses and adapters. Shop vac bits and duct tape to the rescue.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/grommets/grommets-1~/

[Charlie1Horse]

Thanks everyone.
Russell

[Charlie1Horse]

Update: Got the used CB installed and it works really well. This bike does not have the CD changer so. while I am trying to find the water leak I have placed the CB in the CD location. This way i have about one and a half inch of space to fill before getting to the CB. Once I find and fix the water leak, I will put the CB back where it belongs.
Russell