No, the screen goes completely dark. Works perfect for 5 seconds, then goes off. Sound continues just fine. If I turn TV off and back on, the picture comes back on... for 5 seconds, then goes off.
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Browse All TopicsI have a Westinghouse LCD TV SK-32H540S, 1 year old. When I turn it on, the screen works for about 5 seconds, then goes dark. The sound continues. The screen goes dark despite what's being displayed: tv shows, menus, whatever, so it's clearly the screen, not the source of the image. Any idea what might be the problem, and how to fix this?
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>> suthngin said: Then your video driver is most likly bad. Have you tried a different input?
Different inputs make no difference. Once it goes dark, I can flip between inputs and the screen stays dark. Not even built-in menus display.
That said, however... if I switch to another video input and wait about 20 seconds before switching back to the first video input, the screen works again for 5 seconds until blacking out again.
>> Callandor said: The circuit that drives the tv display has gone bad. Since it's an LCD screen, this could be the inverter that drives the CCFL tubes or the display circuitry itself.
What would that mean for me if it is the inverter or the display circuitry? Any way to verify if it is either of those? Are either of those components able to be repaired/replaced by the consumer?
Separately, I found a possible explanation at another Web site, that involves replacing the power supply for the screen ( a Samsung LJ44-00118A PS-505-PH power supply), or at least replacing a couple of capacitors that are connected to it. Here's a link to the description:
http://www.fixya.com/suppo
In your experience, does this sound likely?
>replacing a couple of capacitors
I had that problem on a monitor, except that I didn't get the 5 seconds of view - it was just dark. I was directed to the power supply capacitors by a link similar to your's. When I looked at them they were just slightly domed at the top, good ones should be completely flat. They only cost about 50 pence each from maplins, I soldered them in and it worked! Saved some £170 on a new monitor.
As that link says it is a known problem then I think it would be a good idea to take a look inside. Try and find a page somewhere that explains how to get it apart carefully - there are right and wrong ways to prise things apart.
It costs very little to try (compared to tv repair shop or replacement) and failed capacitors are a known way in which power supplies go bad. If you can handle soldering, go ahead and try it - more upside than down to do so. Keep in mind bad capacitors can look completely normal but not work properly.
UPDATE: I finally pried off the back of my Westinghouse. I don't see anything that resembles the PCB photos that were linked from the potential solution I found at FixYa (see my link above), although I *do* readily see the inverter which Callandor mentioned could be the culprit. Printed on my inverter is "Darfon B070-601."
This is a LIPS (Line Independent Power Supply) inverter. Information on LIPS inverters can be found here -- http://www.lcdparts.net/LI
The lcdparts site notes that the symptoms of a defective inverter can include:
* No Power
* Power Indicate light flash on and goes off
* Screen Flash on and Off between 1/2 to a few seconds
* No Display or Dim screen
* power light cycles on and off
This *could* be my problem (4th bullet), although it's apparently a total-replacement kind of fix (around $160).
I'm hoping I might still be able to replace a capacitor or two on the Darfon inverter, just like the FixYa solution I found suggested for a defective Samsung power supply. But the problem is that the capacitors on my Darfon don't match the capacitors described on the Samsung in the FixYa solution. PLUS... none of my inverter's capacitors look deformed or cracked, so I can't tell which little component might be the problem.
SO... I might just have to replace the whole inverter... :(
... unless anyone has any further suggestions? :)
Found a thread that sounds similar:
http://www.justans
If you click the 'read more' orangy bit you can read the whole thread with quite detailed checks. It may help you.
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by: suthnginPosted on 2009-08-27 at 15:55:19ID: 25203398
It sounds like the bulb could be bad. Many of those LCD tvs use florscent tubes. Maybe the tubes are bad. If you look very closely at the screen do you see the picture? If that is the case I would suggest you getting a new TV.
Tucker