Fixing things without fixing them

[stomachmonkey]

My favorite Samsung TV developed this minor intermittent problem where occasionally it would not start up completely requiring you to turn it on and off several times.

Last week it got out of control and would take up to 15 minutes to get going.

Diagnosed it as a bad main board so off I go to the inter webs to order one.

However, since electronics frequently have minor model / hardware revisions I opened it up to the get the part number directly off the board rather than trust just the model number of the TV alone.

Put it back together and used the minimal number of screws needed to hold the back panel on since I'm diving back in when the part shows up.

Needless to say the TV has worked flawlessly since.

Part showed up today.

Something tells me if I return it I'll just be re-ordering it.

If I don't return it it'll sit in the closet and never be needed.

[masraum]

That sounds like exactly what would happen.

[vash]

It will break again when the part gets picked up for shipping. Of course it will get lost in transit.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[herr_oberst]

Can't count the number of things in the course of my life where I fixed it by just taking it apart and putting it back together.

Also can't count the number of things that I've destroyed by trying to fix it.

Also, sadly, have a long list of things that I've bought brand new that needed fixing before I was able to use them...

May your TV live a long, happy, prosperous life!!!

[Noah930]

If you keep the part in a drawer the TV will never fail in that same way again. It's like bringing rain tires to the track; it never rains when you do. If, however, you send it back...

[recycled sixtie]

Do you mean removing the bulb under the CEL indicator so it does not light up?
I would not do it but it sure has crossed my mind......

G.

[Nickshu]

Ha! Just spent 2 hours yesterday fixing my Keurig brewer with parts off Ebay and Youtube videos. Lasted 8 years the first go round...parts were $10 so if it lasts another 2 years it's a success, if it lasts another 8 it's a huge success!

[masraum]

Have you checked if there is a software update for your tv. It doesn't sound like that was the problem, but they do need updates these days.

[fanaudical]

I find that dust in electronics is one of the major sources of malfunctions (especially computers, TV's, etc). I open stuff up and blow out the dust bunnies at least once a year.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by masraum

Have you checked if there is a software update for your tv. It doesn't sound like that was the problem, but they do need updates these days.

Yeah I checked for firmware upgrade. Nada.

The TV is a 61" Samsung DLP.

It's in a wall unit so don't care that it's not flat screen.

It's 10 years old but damn it has a great picture and it's only on its second bulb.

Not a fan of the newer TV's. They are just too sharp all the time and everything looks like a soap opera.

This thing has a cinema / film quality picture.

[red911sc]

I thought this would be a thread about duct tape...

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

I find that dust in electronics is one of the major sources of malfunctions (especially computers, TV's, etc). I open stuff up and blow out the dust bunnies at least once a year.

I was hoping it was full of dust as I was taking it apart but it was really clean inside.

I'm thinking there is a failed or failing solder joint somewhere.

A lot of problems these days are caused by solder beads / pellets. It's a manufacturing process were the solder is like a pile of sand that gets melted instead of a more traditional solder flow.

They tend to fail in prolonged high heat applications causing intermittent shorts.

Sometimes jostling the component will act as a temporary fix.

[95avblm3]

Yup, chances are you have a cold solder joint and not putting all the screws back in/not tightening them all the way relieved some stress on the PCB and allowed the broken solder joint to make contact.

Most modern electronics are now RoHS compliant, which means among other things, the solder has no lead in it... This leads to flow issues, worse tin whiskers, etc, etc.

I wouldn't send the part back because Murphy will show up in its place, for sure

[mreid]

Periodically pull the part out of the drawer and show it to the tv. That will guarantee it will not fail.

[stealthn]

Had that exact problem with my Samsung to the point it wouldn't start anymore. On the internet VERY common problem with capacitors or something, opened her up found all the ones that were bulging, off to electronics store. Soldered in 4 and voila, works perfectly. $15 and my time.....way better than a new TV

[Bill Douglas]

A friend has a 7 series BMW and it has a lot of electrical issues

He said he sends it in to the BMW place and they say we replaced the so and so computer and it's running fine now. Peter and I were talking about it and came to the conclusion it's probably/possibly the connector going to the computer. It's a worthwhile punt anyway to (disconnect battery first) disconnect it, clean, reconnect and see how it goes. I told him about Stabilant 22, that Hugh first mentioned, and that it might fix some of the car's woes.

Google Stabilant 22

[stomachmonkey]

Was going to toss my Raspberry Pi on this TV and it occurred to me it's been 3 months and still working flawlessly.

I ain't touchin it.

[john70t]

Might have been a different thread, but I read somewhere that a Mfr's recommendation was to drop the unit onto a surface to re-seat the motherboard connections.

[MongooseGA]

I have a Sammy DLP as well. The only problems I've had with it ( that sound sort of like yours) have been bad lamps and fan #2.

I got it for free a few years ago. It's sticking around for a while now. It may end up moving to the garage when I break down and buy a new one.

[bell]

I'm still using a 32" sharp tube tv....... Has worked perfectly 10+ years. ..... dreading the switch to a flat screen...... lol