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Author Topic: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on  (Read 134 times)

K4TO

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Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« on: March 11, 2023, 05:24:17 AM »

My VX-3 won't turn on operating on battery but will operate normally with the charger plugged in.  The battery charge shows full and I bought a new battery.  It worked for a day or two, then returned to its old habit.  Anyone have this same problem??   Thanks, Dave, K4TO
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W9IQ

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Re: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2023, 05:55:37 AM »

The charger jack in the radio has a small switch in it. When this switch gets dirty/corroded it will leave the internal battery disconnected. You may wish to try a small bit of contact cleaner in the jack and then repeatedly insert and remove the charging plug to help wipe the contact.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

K4TO

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Re: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2023, 06:35:10 AM »

I appreciate your help.  I tried it and it didn't work.  I have tapped (gently) on the desktop with the radio in all three axes trying to vibrate the contacts after spraying.  I have repeatedly inserted and wiggled the power plug.  So far, it refuses to come to life on the battery, but continues to operate as long as the power is plugged in.  May have to lay hands on it for healing or tossing.  I haven't decided which yet.  73, dave, K4TO
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W9IQ

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Re: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2023, 06:37:18 AM »

You may wish to pull the battery and measure it to make certain it is fully charged. Double check the condition of those connections while you are in there.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

K4TO

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Re: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2023, 07:34:58 AM »

Well--- Thanks for that last bit of good advice.  I checked--- both batteries are discharged. The power connector from the wall transformer shows 6 volts open circuit, but measuring across the battery terminals while the power connector is plugged int shows Zero volts across the battery terminals.  In other words, the battery is never being charged... whether the unit is turned on or off.  However, the display shows "charge full" when the power is connected.  Looks like something has gone wrong with the charging path in the radio.  I'll continues to poke around and see what I can learn.  Thanks ... de Dave, K4TO
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W9IQ

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Re: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2023, 07:56:30 AM »

The battery bay has a small switch in its mid point. This is used to distinguish a Li-Ion pack from a primary pack. That switch must be closed (depressed) for the battery to be connected to the charging circuit. Check to make certain the battery housing allows for this.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

W9IQ

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Re: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2023, 08:43:42 AM »

If the battery bay switch checks out, try charging the LiPo external to the radio using an appropriate LiPo charger. I recommend putting the battery into a fireproof dish or box in the event it has a problem. I use a Pyrex dish and cover that sits on a silicon pad.

If the battery takes a charge, you may find that the VX-3R will then happily charge it. It seems that a fully discharged battery sometimes fools the SoC circuit.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

K4TO

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Re: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2023, 08:54:49 AM »

Progress!  Found the switch on the body of the battery holder.  I operated it a few times.  The radio is now charging batteries and it operates on wall power or battery power.  I think we have got it working.  I really appreciate you help.  Thanks!!

73, Dave, K4TO
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W9IQ

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Re: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2023, 09:03:39 AM »

That is great news, Dave. It is  a nice little radio.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

K4TO

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  • Posts: 6
Re: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2023, 10:11:05 AM »

I just removed the first battery from the VX-3 and inserted the second to make sure it was charging also.  It is.  The first battery measured 3.8+ voltage and was warm to the touch after and hour or two of charging.  The radio hadn't yet indicated "Chg full".  My question is --- I suspect the radio will not over charge the battery, even if left charging continuously.  As I recall the maximum cell voltage is 4.05 or something like that. Am I right about this?

Dave, K4TO
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W9IQ

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Re: Yaesu VX-3 will not turn on
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2023, 10:18:28 AM »

That is correct on all counts, Dave.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.
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