Dear Forum,
My previous message was posted after spending nearly 15 hours trying many things like:
- swapping HC-06 modules
- checking voltage levels at HC-06 voltage regulator
- checking voltage level at HC-06 Vcc pin
- resoldering connections
- researching how to reset HC-06 (even though I did NOT alter baud rate, etc.)
- researching how to repair HC-06
- and going back and forth checking, double checking, triple checking, etc....
That being said, I NEVER use this forum as my initial path for solving problems. It is only after much careful thought and experimentation that I sit down and draft a carefully thought-out posting describing the problem with background information, etc.
So after my last posting, I went down to my shop. I thought that I might have an extra brand new Li-Ion battery in one of my bins of electronic components. And sure enough I did.
As I was pulling the battery wires away from my PCB so that I could place my soldering iron tip on the pad where the positive battery wire was soldered, so that I could remove the old 3.3V and ground wires from my PCB, the existing positive battery wire broke right off of the PCB. I was blown away how easily it just broke off. I soldered it right back on and this may have solved the entire problem that I have been having intermittently for literally weeks. I cannot tell you how many times I have checked the voltages all around with my DMM and then with my o'scope to monitor power and to look for erratic voltage levels.
I believe that the problem is now solved. I WILL NOT FALL VICTIM TO THIS UGLY SCENARIO EVER AGAIN (famous last words as I am laughing to myself and shaking my head simultaneously in disgust and in victory)
--Neal