BCD396XT/BCD996XT: BCD996XT - Display not working

[mort3770]

I've had my BCD996XT for quite a few years and it's functioned flawlessly until today. The scanner is working, in as much as I hear transmissions fine. The two issues I'm having is the display lights up but I don't see any detail. It's also in Priority mode and without the display working, I can't turn it off.

Before I send it in for repair, I'm wondering if there's a way to totally reset the whole scanner to default settings without needing to read the menu on the display? I'm thinking that maybe a contrast setting might have been dialed down and I just can't see the read-out and menu. A reset would correct the Priority setting as well.

Thanks

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

You can use Proscan's 30 day free trial to try and turn off your priority. You'll just need the OEM cable that came with your radio to connect it up

Highly doubt a scanner reset will resolve a display issue unless the contrast is turned all the way up but here goes:

Scanner Reset to initialize the scanner's memory, turn off the scanner. Then press 2, 9, and Hold while turning it on (remember the game called Twister?). The scanner will give you the option 'Restore Preprogram List? "Yes"=E/No="."', if you press 'E/Yes', the scanner reloads the preprogrammed systems.

Important! This deletes all programmed data.

 

[mule1075]

I've had my BCD996XT for quite a few years and it's functioned flawlessly until today. The scanner is working, in as much as I hear transmissions fine. The two issues I'm having is the display lights up but I don't see any detail. It's also in Priority mode and without the display working, I can't turn it off.

Before I send it in for repair, I'm wondering if there's a way to totally reset the whole scanner to default settings without needing to read the menu on the display? I'm thinking that maybe a contrast setting might have been dialed down and I just can't see the read-out and menu. A reset would correct the Priority setting as well.

Thanks

Press Hold+2+9 while powering on for a hard reset

 

[N9JIG]

The 996 and similar scanners use a ribbon cable to connect the display board and main board. They use a dab of glop to keep it from unseating but as that ages it can actually pull the ribbon cable out just enough to make it inoperable.

If you feel up to it:

Open the case by removing the outer black shell (4 screws on the back) and the lower clam-shell inner case (the one with the speaker). Remember that the speaker has a wire so be careful, either remove the speaker wire plug or set it aside attached.
Remove and reseat the ribbon cable and put a dab of Elmers Glue (if you have it) to secure it.

Chances are this will fix what ails you and your radio.

 

[mort3770]

Thanks for that suggestion. I did remove the cover and pulled the scanner out and I checked the ribbon cable connects. They seemed to be well seated and firm. My radio is mounted to a shelf and never moves, so not wanting to cause any damage on my part, I just put it back together. I just have a feeling that the display is shot since it's always on 24-7. I'd just hate to send it in an find out it was the contrast setting being turned down, but I don't have a step-by-step diagram on how to get to that setting.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I'd just hate to send it in an find out it was the contrast setting being turned down, but I don't have a step-by-step diagram on how to get to that setting.

I gave you the easier to read link in post #2 (the word "contrast is a hyperlink) but I'll make it easier for you and give you the excerpt from said manual: Again, the Proscan 30 day free trial can be utilized to make your display visible so you can check settings

To Edit Settings press MENU. Scroll to 'Settings' and press E/●.
Adjust Contrast

 

[N9JIG]

Thanks for that suggestion. I did remove the cover and pulled the scanner out and I checked the ribbon cable connects. They seemed to be well seated and firm. My radio is mounted to a shelf and never moves, so not wanting to cause any damage on my part, I just put it back together. I just have a feeling that the display is shot since it's always on 24-7. I'd just hate to send it in an find out it was the contrast setting being turned down, but I don't have a step-by-step diagram on how to get to that setting.

I have had my ribbon cable unseat on stationary radios a couple times. It can also be a function of slight expansion and contraction. Even if it appears OK it might be pulled out just enough to cause just this issue.

 

[Ubbe]

I have the same problem with a BCT15 that it blacks out by itself sitting on the desk. I have to regularly reseat its ribbon cable and have moved that scanner to be used remotely at another location, so display issues does not matter.

/Ubbe

 

[dispatch235]

If the display is lit up and is just a blank screen (no dark spots indicating the screen is seperating inside) it will not be the contrast setting... no matter what the contrast is set on you can still see the screen.
I can almost guarantee it will be the ribbon cable needs re-seating (99.9% of the time) or a bad solder joint/cracked trace. The ribbon cable will seem secure, but the points of contacts over time oxidize slightly. Re-seating the cable by removing it and reinserting it will give it a good contact again, and usually have no more problems.
Of all the scanners of that series I have had brought to me (or given to me because they thought it was broke) all the display problems were the ribbon cables with the exception of one of my own 996P2's that the display colors suddenly went "different shades".

 

[wtp]

i second Whiskey3jmc's suggestion on proscan as you then use the computer screen to do things.

ProScan

Computer Aided Scanning Software for the Uniden BC125AT BC250D BC296D BC346XT BC346XTC BC780XLT BC785D BC796D BCD160DN BCD260DN BCD325P2 BCD396T BCD396XT BCD436HP BCD536HP BCD996P2 BCD996T BCD996XT BCT15 BCT15X BR330T SDS100 SDS100E SDS200 SDS200E UBC125XLT UBC126AT UBCD3600XLT UBCD436PT...

www.proscan.org

30 day free trial.
set it and forget it.
and if you like it, use it and then pay, many do just that.
and he is a member on here under the name "proscan", so he can answer questions.

 

[kbrown1075]

I have had a BCD996XT for many years. Several years ago, the screen became unreadable, mostly active pixels. I put the scanner in a box and kind of forgot about it as I had started using a Unication Pager monitoring our Motorola Trunked System. Years later, I moved and at my new residence the County uses EDAC. I pulled the scanner out, programmed it and used it for a few days with no issues. Then the screen did its thing and I remembered I never did anything about it. Well, I removed the ribbon cable, removed the hot glue from the cable, cleaned the contacts with rubbing alcohol, blew everything off, and reinstalled. Working like a champ now. Just be aware that the sockets for the ribbon cables are clamping type. Lift the dark (brown/ black) portion of the sockets straight up to release. When reinstalling, insert the ribbon cable (will feel loose in the socket), then push the socket clamp straight down. Ribbon cable should now be snug. May want to add hot glue. Careful using an adhesive that may flake when removed again. The flakes could end up jammed in the socket, preventing contact. The sockets are very small and it may be extremely difficult to see any foreign material in the socket.