BCD396T/BC996T: Uniden 396T Keypad/Buttons wont work

[updip_geo]

On my 396T I recently ran into the problem of the keypad not working, save the power button. I have searched high and low to find out what is wrong and how to fix it, including opening up the scanner and cleaning the contacts (while also replacing the keypad rubber). I put it all back together and have the same problem. Only the volume/squelch, function, menu and power buttons function. The scanner, outside of the other buttons not working, seems to work just fine. I also tried the func-power on to ensure it was not locked and also checked in FreeScan to make sure the system didnt have protection set to on (as described in other threads).

Does anyone have any idea as to what is wrong? What is the best thing to do about this? Is the scanner essentially only good for program control now via PC?

Thanks in advance for any ideas, pretty sad this 396T that has only been lightly used is completely inoperable. I also have a 996XT and BCT15 which work great, but not portable, so the 396T is my travelling scanner and a shame it doesnt work as such.

 

[tvengr]

If the Menu button works, it can't be a keypad lock problem. You may have a button stuck on which will prevent the other buttons from functioning. Something could have been spilled into the keypad. If the circuit board is corroded, corrosion can be conductive and have the same effect as holding a button.

 

[trp2525]

...What is the best thing to do about this?...

I would start off by trying to locate a replacement keypad (preferably brand-new) for your BCD396T and replace your current keypad. If you can't locate a replacement keypad (or you don't want to bother doing that yourself) you can send it to Uniden Repair for $89.95 (which includes return shipping to you) and they will take care of it. If it turns out not to be the keypad, they will fully repair it to get it back in working order.

I guess the question is if it's worth it to you to spend $89.95 (plus your inbound shipping to Uniden Repair which will cost you an additional $10-$15) on a scanner that is a little long-in-the-tooth. The BCD396T was released in 2005 per the Radio Reference Wiki.

Link to Uniden Repair: Uniden | A World Without Wires - Uniden Repair Center

 

[tvengr]

Press each button. One may not feel like it is switching on and off.

 

[wtp]

cheap and lazy guy fix..
hook it up to and control it with a computer.

 

[tvengr]

cheap and lazy guy fix..
hook it up to and control it with a computer.

Unfortunately, that is slightly detrimental to its portability. It's possible that the holes in the cover plate had something spilled in them and one or more of the buttons is stuck in the down position. updip geo probably can give us more information about the type of contacts on the buttons.

 

[wtp]

tvengr,
yes i agree.
it is just that years ago my 396T had the headphone jack/speaker problem and i thought of doing what i mentioned.
and then i would have bought another radio. i am in favor of having more radios !

 

[mc48]

Take the radio apart and clean the keypad membrane and board with a water moistened Q-tip and then use IPA for a final wipe, allow to dry and reassemble.

 

[ka3aaa]

reset the ribbon cables into their housings, that seems to be a common problem as to why certain buttons don't work.

 

[gary123]

If the unit was dropped or hit hard also look for broken solder joints on the flex connectors.

 

[updip_geo]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I did take the housing apart, cleaned the contacts and contact sheet with rubbing alcohol, let it dry, put the new keypad I bought in ..... and nothing, still just power works on the keypad.
I will check the flex joints and possible ribbon cable connections (but did readily see any ribbons on this small circuit board)

I may just have to go with the lazy guy fix in the end, if all these things fail to correct it then I guess its something in the firmware?

 

[wtp]

yes,
396T-will now be your new desktop model.
i like my new 325P2.
more radios, not less.
at home i use a pro2001, pro2004, bc855xlt, bc170, pro2035
walking around is bcd325p2, bcd396T, pro164 and the wife usually had the bcd396xt.

 

[dispatch235]

Strange, this is exactly how my 396t is when the keypad is locked.... on the 396t it is a little different to toggle the keylock; you have to hold the function button while pressing the power/lock key whereas on my 396xt and others you press and release the function key, then press the keylock/power button. Is the firmware updated to 3.02.02 ? There may have been a glitch in older firmware that doesn't let the keypad lock toggle as intended.

 

[tvengr]

Strange, this is exactly how my 396t is when the keypad is locked.

In the OP's scanner, the MENU button works. If the keypad were locked, the MENU button would be disabled.

 

[dispatch235]

In the OP's scanner, the MENU button works. If the keypad were locked, the MENU button would be disabled.

Oops! @tvenger You are correct! I totally missed that when I was checking how mine behaved with the keypad locked!

 

[ko6jw_2]

Send the radio in for service to Uniden. Yes, their price has gone up considerably over the years, but my experience with them was excellent. I sent in my 396T after zapping the low band front end by transmitting near it on 6 meters. It was returned to me fully functional, with a firmware upgrade and a new display cover (it had a couple of scratches). I still use it every day to monitor fire calls. At roughly $90 bucks it is worth it. You might as well send it in. The DIY approach has failed and it is not useful it its present condition.

I am lucky to live in a county where most systems are analog and not trunked. Thus, it spite of being a 17 year old design, the radio works very well. This will change in the next couple of years when the county installs a new trunked P25 system. The 396T can do trunked but only P25 phase 1. I will probably buy a new scanner then. In the mean time I'm good.

One last suggestion: Have you considered that there is a problem with the "FUNC" key? That would prevent the radio from unlocking even if there is no problem with the keyboard itself.

 

[wtp]

and with keypad lock there is a little 'key' on the top right of center of the screen.
in between the signal and the battery indicators.

 

[updip_geo]

I have checked the lock on the screen and done the function-power on, which shows its completely unlocked and I can function-power button to lock and unlock. Whats funny is that I put the contacts right on the circuits from the contact card and even used the keypad contacts from a PRO-97 I had and I can manipulate the power with barely a touch but nothing else.

My county went Phase 2 years back, and this radio has been silent/unused for some time. Seems like the last time I used it, worked fine, then has been on a shelf since then and now inoperable. I have not separated the two circuit boards on it, is there anything between the screen side and back circuit boards that could be causing this? I tried to look and dont see any ribbon cables but wanted to check before disassembling any further

Thanks

 

[ka3aaa]

the 396t will not work on a phase 2 system

 

[wtp]

my laziness has saved me from doing a lot of work.
if you had stated down the computer path, you could have been done by now and not have taken the radio apart.
my 396T has about 2500 frequencies in it and if i had to set it up as a base i would not mind.
the audio section on my 2004 went out and it has an amp on top of it.
yes it is already a base, but should i have thrown it out when it just needed a little help ?