I own a Hitachi 51F500 rear projection TV. The other day I heard some loud noises (sounded like when you tap a microphone that's turned up). I heard this noise a few times and the TV would shut itself off and on. One time I noticed that before the TV shut itself off . . . the word "stop" appeared on screen.
The TV would not allow me to shut it off so I unplugged it for the evening. The same problem is still happening.
I paid $1500 for the TV three years a go. The repair man will charge me $100 for a trip charge plus parts and labor. I'm wondering if it's worth fixing.
I have been told that the noise I heard was probably high voltage discharges that fed back and damaged some semiconductors and my microcompressor. But then the person suggested I buy a new Toshiba or JVC TV. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
This TV set I have seen in the past to have leaky CRT's This is where the cooling fluid that is located between the main lens and the CRT face leaks out onto the printed circuit board. You should have this set checked out ASAP or you will be doomed. If you let the cooling fluid stay on the printed circuit board too long, it will corrode the connections and then you will have to buy a new board, and that would really be an expensive repair. If it is not the fluid issue when you do have the set fixed, ask the tech to install a shield that Hitachi recommends to be installed inside the set, so that in the future, the tubes do become leaky, the fluid will run off to the side and not damage the electronics. If it is not a fluid issue you most likely have a bad flyback or the high voltage distribution block is bad. Good Luck, and let us know how you made out.
Mr. Dillon, thanks for your knowledge. I took off the back and looked around with a flashlight and saw some standing liquid (antifreeze). I called a tech immediately and of course he can't take a look until Monday because he is swamped with calls from people who need their TV's fixed for the Super Bowl.
His sollution is to scrub the circuit board with soap and water and dry thuroughly. Then see what happens.
My question now becomes one of money and is it worth it. I can buy a 51 inch rear projection TV for $500 - $700. The tech thinks his bill will come to around $300 and can't garauntee that he can fix it or that something else won't go wrong later due to the leaky CRT. He also told me not to soak up the antifreeze - just to unplug the TV.
Do you think this repair is worth trying or am I just throwing away money?
You can take out the board if you think you can and wah it with soap and water but you have to get as much water off the board asap and dry the board and let it sit for seberal days. To have a tech do this, you most likely would be better off to buy a new set.
The repair tech stopped by today and it turns out the seals on my crt's are okay but one of my Thermal Expansion Bubbles burst. I called Hitachi and they are going to cover the $99 trip charge for the tech. Now the tech is going to let them know what the problem is and will then get back to me. My question is, "... in your experience will Hitachi stand by the product and cover all repair charges?" The tech thought he would probably have to also replace the main circuit board as antifreeze sat on it for two weeks.
Awww I see. Sometimes the manufacturer will stand behind the produt, depending on how old the set is. let us know how this turns out so others with your problem will know how to handle the situation. Thanks for the feedback. I know this set has a leakage problem. I have seen it at least a dozen times so far.