BC346xt speaker going silent

[banjoman]

I have found that my BC346XT's speaker is going strangely silent on me on a pretty regular basis. This is often happening after disconnecting the scanner from an external speaker which I tend to use a couple of in different spots. It can stay that way for a long time and then may mysteriously start working again after being plugged in to an external so that I can listen. I have been looking through the expanded guide but can't seem to find anything about a mute button I may be inadvertently hitting. Could this be a problem with the scanner itself or would it be operator failure somehow?

Also... This scanner should need a mono to stereo adapter for stereo speakers, correct? One channel of stereo is not working but would assume that it is only a mono out.

 

[davidmc36]

Sounds like the headphone jack is sticking and not springing back to re-make the connection for internal speaker. Quite common with various Uniden scanners. You should be able to get sounds out of both sides when plugging in a stereo plug, that's the way the new scanners are wired.

 

[banjoman]

Is there a somewhat easy fix or does this need to go to the shop? It is still under warranty coverage.

 

[davidmc36]

Is there a somewhat easy fix or does this need to go to the shop? It is still under warranty coverage.

You might have some success with a bit of Contact Cleaner but if it is really dirty or the spring has gotten really weak then about the only fix is replace the receptacle. So if still warrantied then I would send it in if some cleaner sprayed in does not help. Some people spray the cleaner then work a plug in and out a few times, then another spray of cleaner. Works sometimes but I bet will just be temporary so maybe sending it now while still warrantied may be the best idea.

 

[banjoman]

Thanks. It is looking like the proper way to send it in is just in a box with a note, correct? Nobody to talk to in advance?

 

[davidmc36]

I'm not sure about sending in, have never done it before. Probably like most places, get a RMA first??

 

[banjoman]

That is what i would have expected but this is what I find in the eManual for the scanner:

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING PERFORMANCE OF WARRANTY: If, after following the instructions in this Operating Guide you are certain that the Product is defective, pack the Product carefully (preferably in its original packaging). Include evidence of original purchase and a note describing the defect that has caused you to return it. The Product should be shipped freight prepaid, by traceable means, or delivered, to warrantor at:

Uniden America Corporation Parts and Service Division 4700 Amon Carter Boulevard Fort Worth, TX 76155

 

[davidmc36]

Yeah, Roger. If I were to attempt sending it in I would simply take that as a convenient way to get the address instead of over the phone with Customer Service. I would still drop them a line one way or another to check about a RMA.

 

[W8RMH]

Uniden Product Repair - HOW TO SEND A PRODUCT IN FOR REPAIR

 

[banjoman]

@W8RMH: Thanks... I had found that page... address with no phone number listed. I do like @davidmc36's advice to drop them a line as well and I did find a link with a phone number off their front page so I'll give that a call tomorrow before sending it off.

Thanks for the help everybody. FYI: I did try blowing it with an air can and then giving it a blast of QD Electronics cleaner as suggested to no avail. Looks like warranty repair will be smartest now.