Cobra 2000 dead key issue

[686 Ghostrider]

I recently bought a cobra 2000. It's in great shape cosmetically and the board isn't butchered up which I thought was amazing giving the age of these radios. The problem I'm having is I can set the dead key for say 2 watts using VR-10. It might key 2 watts for days or 2 minutes. I talked on it several days since the last time it acted up. Got up this morning it's back to showing almost nothing on the meter. When it acts up not only is the dead key almost nothing but the modulated swing is only a couple watts. I'm stumped. I've checked and reflowed the solder joints on the grounds and several places on the board that I thought looked weak. Any advice on where to go from here?

 

[Radioman1]

I would squirt some contact cleaner on VR-10, run it through from stop to stop several times, reset your dead key and see how that goes, might need to replace the pot, does it look cracked? Those radios are showing their age, might if all else fails look at replacing the electrolitic caps, I believe kits are available from several sellers. Google is your buddy.

 

[686 Ghostrider]

I would squirt some contact cleaner on VR-10, run it through from stop to stop several times, reset your dead key and see how that goes, might need to replace the pot, does it look cracked? Those radios are showing their age, might if all else fails look at replacing the electrolitic caps, I believe kits are available from several sellers. Google is your buddy.

I sprayed it and worked it with contact cleaner. I think you are right. I'm going to replace it and go from there. Thank you for helping

 

[686 Ghostrider]

Also, I just noticed when I key the mike the meter lights go very dim and the freq counter digits go dim

 

[686 Ghostrider]

Ok, working my way through checking solder joints I discovered that when i pressed on the rf shield the dead key would restore to 2 watts where i set it. So, probing around right there I found a 102 cap that was loose at the solder joint. I secured it and went through reflowing the solder joints in the area. So far the dead key is where I set it with no dim lights anywhere when i key the mike. Fingers crossed as they say...may be an ongoing journey with this thing