My next project...

[azasadny]

My mother's six year old 50" Sony Grand Wega TV dies the other day. It still works, but there is a large yellow section in the middle of the screen and everything that's supposed to be white or a very light color is instead yellow.

She called Sony and they said that there is a known issue with the TV and that it would cost $1200 or so to fix it, but they would sell her a brand new 55" TV (Model KDL-55EX500) for $500. She has to send them pictures of the TV with the serial number and a picture showing what the yellow screen looks like.

When she gets her new TV, she's giving us her old TV to see if I can fix it. I looked up Sony Model KDF-E50A10 on eBay and there are some parts for sale. I paid $8 for a PDF of the repair manual and it will help me greatly as it has the diagnostic codes in it.

I'm hoping to be able to determine the component that's failed, locate the part on eBay and then replace it. As long as I don't put too much $ into this, it may be a worthwhile endeavor.

I'm impressed with the way Sony treated my mother and she's very happy. My next TV will definitely be a Sony!

[1979 930]

sorry but i have to ask WHY ? not trying to be a a@@hole ! just do not understand the lost time !

[chocolatelab]

umm.

Why not?

Idle time can be dangerous.

Good luck with the repair.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by 1979 930

sorry but i have to ask WHY ? not trying to be a a@@hole ! just do not understand the lost time !

Some of us derive great pleasure from making things, making old(er) things work once again, and restoring stuff. It's not the product, it's the process. The journey, not the destination. We don't see the time as "lost".

[crustychief]

I hope everything goes your way Art. I think it is pretty cool you are willing to go for it.

[sc_rufctr]

Go for it. They're a good TV and it seems such a waste to recycle after only 6 years.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by mossguy

Some of us derive great pleasure from making things, making old(er) things work once again, and restoring stuff. It's not the product, it's the process. The journey, not the destination. We don't see the time as "lost".

Oh come on.....

No really. I'm all for what your saying. But.....a TV?

There are lots of wonderful old things that need care. Restore furniture, retore a Vespa scooter, lay some serious sweat work into restoring a 911 or an old Ducati.....all great. But a 6 year old TV?

Pitch it and move on friend.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Oh come on.....

No really. I'm all for what your saying. But.....a TV?

There are lots of wonderful old things that need care. Restore furniture, retore a Vespa scooter, lay some serious sweat work into restoring a 911 or an old Ducati.....all great. But a 6 year old TV?

Pitch it and move on friend.

A challenge is a challenge. Different strokes.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by mossguy

A challenge is a challenge. Different strokes.

True.

[azasadny]

I just hate the "throw it away instead of fix it" mentality that we have nowadays and this is my feeble attempt to fight back. I'll know when to throw in the towel, but 1st I'd really like to give it my best effort.

Money's very tight for us right now and we can't just go buy a new TV, since we have much higher priorities right now, so my mother's 6 year old 50" TV would be really nice if it worked for a little while and I would get bragging rights!

[Rick V]

I like to try and fix all manner of things that really have no value. Like it was said before, it is more the challenge than the actual object. Good luck Art.

[id10t]

I can understand the why .... but there are better things out there to help you scratch that itch...

Heath kits are back! Kit

[azasadny]

I just keep thinking that I may be able to fix the 50" Sony and I can't bear to toss it away until I try. As the weather gets colder and nastier here in Michigan, this makes a great "nasty weather" project. The only downside is trying to move that 85lb TV around! The thing is huge! Our Dell TV was 32" and was plenty large enough for us.

[azasadny]

This explains the problem and why Sony is selling my mother a $1200 TV for $500 to replace her failed TV.

[azasadny]

Forgot to post the link...

https://sites.google.com/site/sonylcdrptvproblems/

[azasadny]

It seems the optical block has failed and I can get a used replacement part for $200 on eBay or a rebuilt unit with a 60 day warranty for $350. This is a very common problem with these TV's and Sony settles with their customers but doesn't take the old TV back. I found the step-by-step instructions to replace the part, so I think I'm going to do it.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by azasadny

As the weather gets colder and nastier here in Michigan, this makes a great "nasty weather" project.

That is exactly the point. I stack projects for the winter, some with no real return on investment other than my interest in fixing it.

Art, my Dad was a TV repair man, so I've got a *****in' set of tools if you need them

[azasadny]

Paul,
Thanks! The only tool I need is a long Philips screwdriver, which I happen to have. This seems like it will be fairly easy since I have the directions and the components are all modular and simply plug together, like a PC and I rebuild PC's all the time. I'll buy the part used on eBay for $200, then sell the old part to a rebuilder for $50, so the net cost is $150 and we'll have a 50" Sony HD TV and I'll be able to brag at Christmas when the family comes over...

I'll be refinishing some cherry furniture over the winter, so that's another project that I've got waiting in the wings for the cold winter. The basement is my mancave and I turn it into a workshop in the winter.

[jyl]

Sounds like a sensible thing to try. Almost anything is at least somewhat interesting and educational to fix, even a washing machine or TV. When the expense and time start getting up there, then I start thinking about whether it is something I am "really" interested in. I'll spend substantial time and money fixing cars, bikes, furniture, etc because I like it. For a big TV, my threshold is a couple hundred $ and a couple hours. Sounds like the current project.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by mossguy

Some of us derive great pleasure from making things, making old(er) things work once again, and restoring stuff. It's not the product, it's the process. The journey, not the destination. We don't see the time as "lost".

Ditto!