Discovery 3300 not working after storage - please help

[Discovery 3300 user]

Hi all,

I have a Discovery 3300 off warranty, purchased new from Radio Shack in 2007. It worked fine last year. It was kept over the past winter in an unheated porch (subject to below freezing temperatures but kept dry). Putting in new alkaline batteries powers up the unit but no buttons work, and I cannot power down except by pulling the batteries.

The left side battery alone powers the unit up. The right hand battery appears to do nothing, alone or paired. Regardless, no buttons work. The display shows "all metal", plus the full battery and sensitivity bars.

Both new batteries test over 9 V and are in good condition.

The symptoms do not change when pressing on the batteries to ensure good contact with the terminals.

Do you have any suggestions as to how I can make the thing startup and work correctly? The manual only says to check the batteries. There does not appear to be a reset button or anything similar.

 

[digging nm]

try giving bounty hunter a call. there customer service seems to be very good. hope it works out for you.

 

[lovepulltabs]

Well it probably did get moisture in it. Just from the fact of condensation from the changing temperatures. If you have proof of purchase, your receipt from radio shack, you may be able to get it repaired from First Texas. This detector has a 5 year warranty as far as I know. Call them and see what they say. Try to store your detector or detectors inside out of the elements of below freezing temps, JMO.

 

[dirt jockey]

If the machine was stored the past year with batteries, it is likely one of them leaked and there may be corrosion or an alkaline build up on the terminals. Batteries should always be removed before storing the machine for extended periods of time. Just a thought.

 

[BH-LandStar]

The change in temperatures is also hell on the small wires of the ribbon cables that connect the main board to the faceplate...If one of these wires broke, it would explain the power-up, but no button functions...Not something easily fixed yourself...

Hope you get it working again,

BH-LandStar

 

[possum]

You"re right about Radio Shack not having the warranty that Bounty Hunter gives. I also have a 3300 and had problems with it being excessively noisy - lots of false signals and general noise. I called and told them about my problems, told them I had purchased the extended warranty and would like them to check it out. They were not interested in seeing my proof of purchase or anything else. "Send it in" was their response. I did and they fixed the problem. No questions, no problems, and they got it back to me fast. Bounty Hunter customer service is outstanding. Give them a call, I'm sure they'll take care of your problem.