Problems w/ my Sony TV

[nena]

We bought a Sony Wega 50' LCD TV 3 years ago (no warranty). Recently we have begun to have problems with the screen going black, then the standby button blinks green 3 times continuously. We think we need to replace the projection lamp. But that is going to cost us $240!! And we are not even sure if that is the problem.
I have been googling to see if there are other suggestions, but instead I have found complaint after complaint. Several people have said that after replacing the lamp it either goes out again or other problems arise that can cost anywhere between $900-$1700!!

So, I am asking my budget friends...what would you do? Consider this a loss and get a new tv w/ an extended waranty or attempt to replace the lamp and hope that fixes it?

Oh, and does anyone have any TV suggestions or know of any great deals?

 

[Seahunt]

It sounds like our 50" Hitachi LCD We have replaced 4 lamps and 2 light engines - but TG we had the Sears extended warranty. The repairman said on our TV the problem was how the lamp was protected (foam around the placement of the lamp made it overheat and it couldn't get enough cooling air and so would burn out). The last time the repairman replaced the lamp it had a new configuration and that one hasn't failed yet (knock on wood)

The only thing I can tell you is that on ours the number of times the green light is blinking is a code for what is wrong with the TV. If you google your exact model number and the words "green light blinking 3 times", it should bring up info on what your set is trying to tell you.

As far as repairing it vs replacement, since you don't have a extended warranty now I'd be worried about replacing the lamp and then having to replace the light engine next. Our light engines were $1500 (parts and labor) EACH to replace. But both covered in full by warranty. So I would probably rather go ahead and sink my $$$ into a new (different) model with an extended warranty.

And we don't usually get extended warranties, but in this instance for some reason we did - I think we got our money's worth

The funny thing is that my FIL bought the exact same model about a week later as DH & I, and he has had zero trouble with his.

 

[iluvdiscruises]

We bought a Sony Wega 50' LCD TV 3 years ago (no warranty). Recently we have begun to have problems with the screen going black, then the standby button blinks green 3 times continuously. We think we need to replace the projection lamp. But that is going to cost us $240!! And we are not even sure if that is the problem.
I have been googling to see if there are other suggestions, but instead I have found complaint after complaint. Several people have said that after replacing the lamp it either goes out again or other problems arise that can cost anywhere between $900-$1700!!

So, I am asking my budget friends...what would you do? Consider this a loss and get a new tv w/ an extended waranty or attempt to replace the lamp and hope that fixes it?

Oh, and does anyone have any TV suggestions or know of any great deals?

what sony model do you have? We had the same problem recently and did replace the lamp successfully. There is a code you can press on the remote (not home now, I can look up later) to find out if it's definitely the lamp. You can also open the side of the TV where the lamp is and take the lamp out (carefully)...you will know right away if it's broken. The technician I called (won't have to next time...I didn't know where to start...he gave me quite a lesson) said it's normal with a TV like this...maybe 5000 hours and they go...I wouldn't start over with a new TV!

 

[dawson5]

we bought ours 5 years ago Dec. Last Nov our lamp went out also. We knew it because we heard the glass explode. Bought the extended warranty, hubby went and got the lamp from a local guy, paid him cash and we submitted the receipt and they reimbursed us. He convinced us to at least let him look and make sure nothing else was wrong with it. He found something else wrong, warranty covered it and it works fine now. He showed me what it was, it was in a diagnostic portion of the screen and you could see the way there were shadows I guess. Whatever he replaced fixed it. We're out of warranty with it now but still have one more lamp replacement with the warranty he did buy. Yep, they did cost about $250 but he knows how to replace it. I think this is par though for the type of tv it is.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

I disagree. I would dump the Sony and go with another TV. LCD are actually only supposed to last 30,000-50,000 hours anyway and at the cost of the replacement bulbs and from all the bad reports you have read on the internet I think replacing the TV would be the way to go.

We have a Vizio and have been extremely pleased with it and would consider if anything happened purchasing another....although with advancements in technology I think I would go LED this time.


The new Samsung's have awesome pictures never owned one so can not talk to their reliability.

 

[pooh17]

I have a Sony LCD 50" - purchased around the same time. Probably same model as you. Our lamp went about a year ago. I spent the $200 to replace it and I'm happy with the decision.

About 2 months after replacing the lamp though, a green blob appeared in the middle of the screen. It eventually grew to where everything was tinted green. I read up on it and found this happened to a lot of people. Sony extended the warranty to cover this scenario. I called them, they hooked me up with a local TV repair shop, and it didn't cost me a dime. TV has been running great ever since. I mention it here in case you decide to keep the TV and have the same thing happen to you.

My take on this is that prices on TVs will probably continue to drop, so if I can spend $200 now to extend the life of my TV for another couple of years, its money well spent.

 

[mousebymarriage]

We bought a Sony Wega 50' LCD TV 3 years ago (no warranty). Recently we have begun to have problems with the screen going black, then the standby button blinks green 3 times continuously. We think we need to replace the projection lamp. But that is going to cost us $240!! And we are not even sure if that is the problem.
I have been googling to see if there are other suggestions, but instead I have found complaint after complaint. Several people have said that after replacing the lamp it either goes out again or other problems arise that can cost anywhere between $900-$1700!!

So, I am asking my budget friends...what would you do? Consider this a loss and get a new tv w/ an extended waranty or attempt to replace the lamp and hope that fixes it?

Oh, and does anyone have any TV suggestions or know of any great deals?

We had the same problem and it was the lamp. Replace it and the T.V. should be fine.

 

[quentina]

Buy your lamp on ebay....we did and it was super easy to replace. We paid $75 for new, sealed in package.

 

[Tampa Mousekeeter]

Buy your lamp on ebay....we did and it was super easy to replace. We paid $75 for new, sealed in package.

exactly what I was going to suggest.....buy 2 so you have a spare...a lot of auctions on Ebay offer a set of two for a lower price.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

$75 is different I would replace the lamp for that then go from there.

 

[nena]

Thank you all for the suggestions!! Today my husband went to a local guy to buy a lamp. He wanted $250 today (last week was $240) plus tax plus $20 because we wanted to pay w/ our credit card. It was also noe exchange no refund!! DH did the right thing and came home empty handed.

I think we will try ebay.

For those that asked, we have a
Sony Grand Wega 50' LCD Projection TV, Model # KDF-E50A10.
Wish this was me

 

[nena]

Just ordered it from ebay. $109.99 w/ 180 waranty.

 

[pooh17]

Thank you all for the suggestions!! Today my husband went to a local guy to buy a lamp. He wanted $250 today (last week was $240) plus tax plus $20 because we wanted to pay w/ our credit card. It was also noe exchange no refund!! DH did the right thing and came home empty handed.

I think we will try ebay.

For those that asked, we have a
Sony Grand Wega 50' LCD Projection TV, Model # KDF-E50A10.
Wish this was me

We do have the same TV! Watch out for that green blob (I heard it can start out as yellow too). Call Sony right away if it happens to you and they'll fix it for free.