TV Repair Disabled person

[MDS]

YGPM

Your idea is good Warhog, but I know I could never spend that much on a neighbor for a TV set for them.
70 bucks is a lot of money. And you never know if it will work longer than an hour...

[trueman]

A low voltage problem most of the time should be easy and cheap to fix but just might take awhile to diagnose the problem.
It could be a blown electrolytic cap, resistor or even a diode and all of these in the low voltage circuit need to be checked. The caps should be checked with an ESR meter. If you can give me the exact make and model and an exact description of what is wrong I might be able to help. My father is a tech and has a fault manual for thousands of makes. I recently fixed a mates tv that would not comeout of standby mode. The problem was a blown resistor and a blown diode on the HV output transistor. Total Cost about $10.00 Aust ($5US)

[nochay]

find one at a thrift store, or go trash picking. I have seen lots of TV's sitting around at dumpsters, and even though it might be a console tv or something, at least 99% of the time they run better then these things they call "tv's" today. A 10 year old zenith we had took a killer dump. Why does a 1950's rca Tube TV run better, and last longer then a 10 year old zenith? Just cruise around looking for a TV at a curb, or behind a repair place. You never know. Take it home, and fire it up. May work just fine. Aside from helping someone needy, you also help the enviroment by taking something out of the landfill. If it doesn't work, trash it. (It was there for a reason) Pick up 3-4 TV's for her, and give them to her, or hold them aside. Helps everyone all around. I like the old 1970's - 1980's console TV's. Hell of a lot more stylish then these clunkin' junkers today.

Dane

[SpookyEddy]

Take a look at The TV Repair FAQ

DISCLAIMER: Televisions contain high voltages, as a result working on the internals of a set can be hazardous to your health.

Regards

ed

[DoctorReno]

Thanks all. One way or another I will help this needy lady. For those who did PM me I will type up the symptoms and send them to you.

[SiliconJon]

May I request a public display of the symptoms? Perhaps your venture could then assist others in the future who are out and about searching for a similar resolution.

[Mortis]

Hey Doc, nice thought and effort! YOu are a good neighbor .

Goodluck w/ the fixing! However, should the tv be beyond reasonable repair, I echo the other ideas suggested and have a few of my own...

Most communities have some type of RSVP program- Retired Seniors Volunteer Projects. RSVP programs are often independent non-profit entities but can be groups organized by hospitals or churches. Might give such an organization a call- they are all about seniors who fall into the catergory you describe. Also, Catholic Charities (call your local catholic church for further info), Good Will, COP programs (community outreach police- in most communities, police program that is very active with community donations, gifts or various other referral opportunities during the holidays targeted toward atrisk children and seniors)... etc. A little poking around your community could/should spotlight a few potential resources for your neighbor, heck, might even check out the local Food Bank program, they may have more ideas or directions.

Goodluck! Just dont get too frustrated if ya dont get much this time a year- many resources are utilized and sometimes over-utilized during the busy season.

Take care.

[DoctorReno]

Ok here are the symptoms:

Turn on the set and you have sound but the picture is compressed into an approx 1/8" horizontal line across the center of the screen. If you leave the set on, in a few seconds the set will auto shut off. It will not turn on again until you physically unplug the set from the wall and plug it back in, then it will again turn on.

Now, if you turn the set on and turn it off before it auto shuts off, turn it back on etc etc, each time you turn it on the line will be slightly wider (vertically) and it takes longer each time before it would auto shut off and need to be unplugged and plugged back in.

After doing this on/off routine for a dozen or more times, the picture will take up about 1/3 of the screen and it will not auto shut off. In a min or two the picture will grow and fill the entire screen.

The set will remain on for hours to days with no problem as long as you don't turn it off. Only occasionally it will auto shut off.

Since she has physical disabilities she can't do the turn off, turn on fast enough to get it going again. By the time she gets me the set is usually cold and I have to go thru the entire on/off sequence to get it working again.

To me it seems like some component is weak and needs to warm up to function normally.

This is an Admiral (Mfd for Montgomery Wards and Co.)
Model# JSJ12024
Mfg date: 11/98

Thanks all for your sincere support.

[trueman]

Doctor Reno,

Well from what you have said my guess is a 95% chance you have a dry solder joint. Cost to fix would be $0 except your time to find and resolder the problem. A dry joint is a small break in the solder around a componenet leg. Solder expands and contracts everytime you turn the tv on and off which eventually can cause dry joints. Once the Tv warms up enough the solder expands and the solder joint "fills in the gap" which fixes the problem.
But first some safety warnings.

DO NOT TAKE OFF THE EHT LEAD. THIS IS THE LEAD THAT RUNS TO THE TOP OF THE PICTURE TUBE AND CONNECTS TO THE TUBE WITH A TYPE OF SUCTION CAP. THIS LEAD CARRIES HIGH VOLTAGE EVEN LONG AFTER THE TELEVISION IS SWITCHED OFF. IT NEEDS TO BE DISCHARGED BEFORE BEING REMOVED BUT YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REMOVE IT ANYWAY.

WHEN THE TELEVISION IS ON IT HAS A LIVE CHASSIS WHICH ALTHOUGH IS EARTHED CAN CARRY 330 VOLTS DC WITH RESPECT TO GROUND. IF YOU TOUCH THE GREY PAINTED COATING ON THE BACK OF THE PICTURE TUBE OR ANY OTHER LIVE AREAS YOU WILL COP A BOOT. I SUGGEST YOU MAKE SURE YOU ARE PLUGGED INTO A SAFETY SWITCH, RCD OR WHATEVER YOU CALL THEM IN YOUR PART OF THE WORLD.

Okay first take off the cover and set the tv up with a mirror in front of it. You then need to turn it on. Now get a knitting needle or a chop stick or something similar but it has to be made of non conductive material like plastic or wood. Now gently tap the board around the components moving the stick a few inches and tapping again but make sure you only tap lightly. Be patient and dont just tap a few times and than leave it at that. If you notice the picture flicker concentrate your taping in that area and then start to tap individual components in the area such as capacitors and resistors. You may be lucky enough to narrow it down to the exact component that has the dry joint and you can then shut down the unit turn over the board and re-solder the dry joint.

If your not so lucky to find anything then you have to check the underside of the board by eye or with a magnifying glass. Turn the unit off and try to slide out the board and turn it over. Try to only disconnect the minimum amount of wires and remember where they go. (see warning above about the EHT lead.)
But first to make things easier try to locate a small pot on the component side of the board that will be marked with one of the following "VERTICAL HEIGHT, VERTICAL CENTRE" ETC. It will have a small adjustmet screw (but do not touch this). Next to this pot you will see a number such as VR506 or VR405. The first number "4" usually means that all components in the vertical stage will start with a "4" e.g a capacitor might be C418 a resistor might be R467 etc etc.

This gives you a clue as to where to start looking. When you turn the board over start checking all the components for dry solder joints that are in the vertical stage. If you find nothing you should check all the components as it could be something else not in the vertical stage, but not likely. Take your time and resolder any dry joints you see. Usually they only need to be dabbed with a hot iron to melt and resolder the joint.

If this doesnt fix the problem (Although I am confident it will) you need to start checking components in the vertical stage. Capacitors need to be removed and checked with a multi meter unless you have an ESR meter. Also look out for an oily substance underneath any large electrolytic capacitors which will indicate the cap has leaked and is faulty. It often smells like off fish once it gets warm. You also need to check reisistors against their correct value and also check doides. If you dont find any dry joints you might have to give up unless you know what your doing with regards to using ESR meters etc.

I asked my dad to check his fault book but your model doesnt exist. Probably because its an Aussie book and your TV is American. I have an Admiral fridge if thats any help :-)

Anyway let me know how you get on and remember BE CAREFUL.