i355 Direct Talk problem - powers off on PTT

So I've been working with the i355s that @BTPost sent and also some new ones that @Clyde sent me. One of the new radios is acting strange today although it was fine last night. This is a new i355 (Nextel) that has never had activated service.

When I launch into Direct Talk and push the PTT, the phone says 'user not available' and then abruptly powers off. It can receive fine but powers off when attempting to transmit.

Troubleshooting steps taken:

• New battery - same result
• Charger attached / unattached - same result
  
• Different SIM card from working radio - same result
• Reset all phone settings to factory with sec code 000000 - same result
• Change channel and code - same result
• Removed SIM - can't get to Direct Talk at all (No SIM message)
• Removed battery and SIM for 2 hours, powered on, reset, reboot - same results.
• Attached external moto PTT mic/speaker, pressed PTT on external device - same result.
• Banged phone on knee a few times - same result.

I can't find a single Google hit on this problem and thought that maybe one of the i355 / iDEN gurus might have some advice. Very strange that it was working fine last night and even working on private channels via the line 1 code.

 

Only thing I can come up with right now is the PTT function setting.

One Touch PTT sets your phone to call the most recent Private ID or SDG list on the recent calls list, or a Private ID or SDG list you choose, every time you press the PTT button. To set your phone to call the most recent Private ID or SDG list on the recent calls list:

1. From the main menu, select Settings > 2-Way Radio > One Touch PTT.
2. Set this option to Last Call.

 

No luck. I think that setting is actually for DirectCall which is the over the network 2way radio. I changed it to Last Call and Off with same results.

 

Okay, gonna go get mine and see what settings I have. Hopefully you don't have a bad phone.

 

I think it's bad. Just pulled another fresh i355 out of the box and had it working in 10 seconds. All settings are the same.

Too bad it's one of the pretty ones.

 

It sounds like a defective chip...... might be time to take the hammer to it.... for stress relief.

 

Yeah, looked at mine and the DT settings are pretty basic. Sorry your phone sucks, man.
I also have one i355 that doesn't transmit, but it doesn't turn off when I try. Still junk.

 

It is a good thing they are cheap to buy!!

 

Swap in another Battery, ans see if it still does the same thing.... May be just a weak Battery... Does under Tx load....

 

Tried many different batteries. When I take this unit's battery and put it in another radio, the battery works just fine.

 

Ok, then you have a Busted unit, sounds like.... Must be a short in the Tx Power Amp Circuit.... drawing way to much current, on PTT...

 

Not if it kills the Imbedded OS, every time it goes High Current, and causes a Processor Reset. The High Current is momentary, so it doesn't drain the Battery that much....