OK, TV repairmen:

speeder · speeder's Garage

Who is the guy who always says, "my Dad is a TV repairman w/ a great set of tools, etc..." (?)

My Sony 32" Trinitron suddenly won't switch on, I know that I could take it in to a shop but probably not worth it. (It's 10+ years old). Had a biatchin' picture though, can I DIY this sucker?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

M.D. Holloway · 02-09-2005, 04:51 PM

Sean Penn's Spurcolli (sp) from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Time to vist Best Buy!

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

smack it with a rubber mallet. Or your palm.

asphaltgambler · 02-09-2005, 05:09 PM

If you look into Sony's current line up, you'll throw the old one out. If you are looking at new Sony sets be aware that Best Buy only carries their mid-line stuff not the top-o-line WEGAs

osidak · 02-09-2005, 06:32 PM

ok call me a cheap bastard but i have one that died as well doing the same thing. i want to fix it

Moneyguy1 · 02-09-2005, 06:37 PM

Me gottum new 32" Sony Wega Hdtv. So far, so good. Drawback? Weight. 160+ lbs. It replaces a 1993 Zenith that davaloped a horiz. drive problem. Can be fixed for $75 by purchasing a new "module" which to us old timers is actually the chassis. There are really no tvs made today that lend themselves to repair by replacing descrete components. Nothing on the boards unplug, everyhting is wave soldered and for most tvs, it is just not worth it: Ten year old TV with cost of $520....cost works out to $1.00 per week. Cheap entertainment. New ones, size for size are even cheaper, given the upcoming mandatory change to digital which will make hunreds of millions of tvs instantly obsolete without a converter. Great federal thinking.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

The name was Jeff Spicoli.
We don't fix TVs anymore.
Buy a new one
Be an American.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 02-09-2005, 10:45 PM

Jeff Spicoli

A spokesman for a generation

"This is U.S. History, I see the globe right there"
"People on 'ludes should not drive"

Brad Hamilton: Why don't you get a job Spicoli?
Jeff Spicoli: What for?
Brad Hamilton: You need money.
Jeff Spicoli: All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine.

hoff944 · 02-10-2005, 02:15 AM

Look into buying a TV from Costco. That's where I got mine. They have better prices than Best Buy and they have a great warrenty program. You'll like the new Sony flat screens.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

30" 16:9 HDTV (Phillips) are $599 at Costco.

island911 · 02-10-2005, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by speeder
. ... can I DIY this sucker?

Yes, BUT, even unplugged, those things store enough juice to KILL you. (so I have been told)

So now; Who where the guys who sang, "my ol'man is a TV repairman, whadda ya think about that!?..." (?)

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

Island,
There is more than enough juice in the CRT's to do a number on you. As a computer tech I occationally see CRT problems, and my response is always. "not worth killing myself over, get a new one"

id10t · 02-10-2005, 10:25 AM

You'll sorta have to get a new one in a few years - HDTV and such becoming mandated by FCC.

A friend had a similar tv, seems there is a circuit board in there that likes to "walk" out of connection due to heat/cooling. The "technical tap" may just fix it for you.

legion · 02-10-2005, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by id10t
The "technical tap" may just fix it for you.

As in percussive maintenance?

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by id10t
You'll sorta have to get a new one in a few years - HDTV and such becoming mandated by FCC.

So how about all of these "HDTV ready" TVs that are being sold now, are they going to be obsolete or are they alright?? TIA from a non-technophile. (But always eager to learn).

island911 · 02-10-2005, 11:42 AM

"HDTV ready" TVs that are being sold now, . . .

"HDTV ready" that's code for "it ain't got no HD tuner built-in" . .. you can buy the tuner for an extra 200-600 bones.

. . .and then they likely will only display a low-grade HD picture.

mattdavis11 · 02-10-2005, 02:02 PM

Pop the back cover off, look around for a fuse, it's usually an ordinary glass encased fuse. If it's toast, replace it. Worked for me when one of mine went.

stevepaa · 02-10-2005, 02:46 PM

When you take the back off, there should be a circuit diagram. After seeing if there is a fuse and whether it is blown, look at all the boards and take some notes on the part numbers. The go to an old TV repair place and they can probably tell you if one of the boards is the likely culprit. The boards can be replaced. However, you may find that they are no longer available. And if available, it may be cost prohibitive.
Good luck
Yes, my dad did repair them when they had tubes in them.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Yup, good advice here, starting with Todd. For many years Sony had solder problems with their tuners and cracks in their multi-layer circuit boards.

I have a 32" XBR that would either not turn on or turn off abruptly. When you gave it a good rap the TV would go back on for a few days.

An honest SONY repair guy in the area spent alot of time trying to fix and he finally did. Only charged me $120. This was a few years ago though.

There are forums that speak to the common problems with specific models and how to fix. BTW, the circuit boards from Sony are stupid expensive.

Moneyguy1 · 02-11-2005, 10:41 AM

Circuit daigram?

Closest you will find is a sketch of the major "components".

As for the stored charge in the CRT, it can easily be discharged by using a grounded jumper and a resistor to limit the initial "surge". Not for the beginner. But, if left unplugged for a week or two, the charge bleeds off naturally.