Hello all, I was given a 1986 Curtis Mathis Console TV. It has a beautiful picture and great sound quality and a much larger screen than the TV we previously had in our living room. We have cable television service and when ever we utilize the on screen tv guide or menu, anything where there is text in the screen (even on news channels that have scrolling text at the bottom or commercials with text) there is a horrible static noise. It's extremely annoying to say the least. The cable coax is connected to the cable box which in turn is routed to a VCR and then to the TV itself. The TV has the "old fashioned" turn style knobs to change the channels and for fine tuning, sometimes I can get rid of the noise by messing with the fine tuning knob but then the color and the clarity of the picture suffer. I know it's an older TV so I'm not really holding my breath for a way to solve this problem, but I would be grateful for any ideas or input on how I might attempt to correct this issue. Thank you.
Try to use Wd40 sprey on the tuner swich.
Sounds like the video is riding into the audio circuit. I'm afraid on a set that old you're best to learn to live with it, parts won't be available nor is that set worth investing in.
Yes, I kinda had a feeling that it might be something that couldn't be corrected, it's really ashame because the set has an incredible picture and fabulous sound quality. I suppose I'll see if I do get used to it. It doesn't bother the rest of the family, just me, but I'm kind of picky about things I guess. Thanks for your input MOtvGuy.
It sounds like the quad coil maybe out of alighnment. This is something a novice should not attempt. Maybe a TV repairman, an old timer, will know what I am talking about, as I have solved this problem hundreds of times in the past by adjusting the 4.5 MHZ coil. Good Luck.
Larry, could you please elaborate on the adjustment of the 4.5 MHZ coil? I have what I would say is more than novice experience with electronics (not with tv's though) I have been repairing HAM Radio rigs, VCR's, stereo's and various other home electronics for years and feel that if you could point me in the right direction I could perform this adjustment. I'm going to see if I can locate a service manual for this set. Thanks Larry.
I do not know the inside of this TV set, and if you can find the manual, it is called the quad coil or the 4.5 MHz coil adjustment. You will also need the right tuning stick to do this with, a regular hex tool will not work and you will end up breaking the coil slug. This stick must also be made of plastic or wood. I am sure with the radio experience you could do this, but the slug in the coil may also be frozen and could break. I have broken many in my time, and would another coil be available? probably not.
Larry, I'm searching for a service manual right now, but am having a hard time locating one, I've already checked numerous sites and none of them go back to 1986, atleast as far as Curtis Mathes products. Do you have any suggestions on where I might locate one? Thanks.
Whats the complete model number on the TV set?
The model no. is A2507ML, chassis no. C87-1
Sorry, model way too old for any schematic or service manual distributor to still have in stock. Time to look at classic type sellers of schematics. Good Luck
I haven't had any luck myself finding a service manual. I did however replace the fine tuning knob with a rheostat out of an old Heath Kit Ham Radio, just finished it up about 30 minutes ago as a matter of fact. This has pretty much resolved the static issue, but the color is not as brillant as it was. It is still watchable though. I'm considering it case closed! Thanks for the assistance. Glad I stumbled upon this site.
In the older sets, there was almost always a way to "jury rig" a set to make it work. You cannot do that with today's sets though. Good Luck.
Yes, I guess that's the way it is with most things. I have a few "newer" HAM Radios and when something goes wrong with them you basicly have to replace the entire circut or particular board that has went bad, because they are all digital. In my older radios (which I cherish) you can just replace a diode, capacitor or replace a tube that has went bad and you're back in business. Technology has it's ups and downs, that's for sure! Just incase anyone is interested, I came across a site that offers FREE service manuals, schematics and a whole lot more, http://www.eserviceinfo.com/
Yes sir, I have received many manuals from there. I have found a few though that said they were manuals and turned out to be owners manuals. Thanks for the link.