Panasonic TH-42PA20 shut down issue - Page 11

Your December 2003 unit should be fine. This issue only effects units with the manufacturer built date from June 03 to August 03.

Chances are that your DOA unit fell into this built date range. Many reported seeing 42PA20 store units with shut down problems.

Panasonic is addressing this problem via warranty repair replacement of IC component on the power supply. I am not aware of any web links that point to official Panasonic service bulletin information.

This forum is by far the best source for the information re: shut down issue and Techniwizard who is unofficially here from Panasonic commercial plasma group contributes a great deal to this thread.

Walter, if yours was truly DOA and never did run that seems to be a different problem than what has been discussed here. You should be fine with a unit built in December and have no worries.

Actually, I think that there is some similarity. My 1st unit (that I exchanged) would turn on and operate for ~30 secs and shut-down with flashing LED. Then, it would not turn on again until I unplugged the AC cord.

Walter,

Sounds strangely familiar. If the LEDs were blinking 5 or 7 times, that was it and it is good that you had it replaced anyway.

T. Wiz

No reports of any problems with units manufactured Sept 03 and later.

elvis

So, I'm close to selecting a local servicer in an attempt to address my shutdown issue before the display dies completely, and I thought I'd check in for feedback on something before I set up a service call with a request to swap out the IC specified for this issue...

My experience, which mirrors that alluded to in several posts here, is that the shutdown only occurs after sending a remote command to my cable box - changing channels, pausing or rewinding a recorded program from the DVR, etc. There is clearly a direct connection here, as I've never had my display shut down completely on its own.

With the symptoms that are well-documented for this particular issue (7 blinking lights, need to reseat power cable before the display will come back on, high-pitched whine when turning the display back on), is there any chance at all that the IC on the regulator PCB is the part that will fix the problem? I'm getting some push-back from a couple of servicers that there could be other root causes for the same symptoms, and I'd just like a warm fuzzy before inisisting that one part and one part only (well, 2 if you count the module as well as the IC itself) should be replaced...

Thanks in advance,
Descolada

My experience was similar in that any "remote command" would trigger shutdown but I also had shutdown while simply watching the unit. It may be that if you left the plasma on long enough it would, infact, shutdown on it's own.

Mark

Des,

It is 95% certain that if your unit is July-August 2003 production and shutsdown whereby a power On/Off resets, there is a problem with IC 551 on the power supply PCB. This is replaced with Pana part # C5HABZZ00123 which is readily available now through the parts ordering system.

I feel safe in stating the actual part number now because there are thousands available. This quantity is based on an industry standard seven year parts retention program, NOT based on any expected mass failure so don't misread the above into any "panic" conclusions.

There is always an outside chance that there is some other problem so yes, the servicers to whom you may have spoken are merely protecting themselves. Just have them try IC 551 first, and if that's not the problem, let them find out what is.

Ideally, they may have a complete PS module that can be easily swapped for testing purposes.

Whatever is wrong, it should be under warranty if within the one year period.

TW

I had my 6UY repaired on Wed., in the Techniwizard's facility in NJ. Repair experience was good, brought the Plasma in at 10am and got a call at 1pm that it is fixed and ready for pick up. So far so good.

Dimitry

Dimitry,

BTW,

Your unit only had 171 hours use, August production. It was almost brand new. Calibration was right on so you should be OK for a long time.

Enjoy. T. Wiz


Ooops edit lag 971 hrs

T. Wiz and Mark,

Thanks for the feedback... I think I feel comfortable enough to go ahead and schedule the service, and I'll ask that they replace IC 551 or its module first, and hope for the best.

T. Wiz,

I really appreciate your sharing the replacement part number, I'll be much more confident that they can get my display fixed with the first shot. Thanks as well for your continuing contributions to this thread and this forum... I know you hear it all the time, but it bears frequent and sincere repeating...

Descolada

If this were to be an out-of-warranty situation, what is the cost of this repair?

Des, (and ALL)

Thanks for the kind words. Now if I can leave some print-out on the V.P.'s desk.....

Jason,

The part is quoted on our web-site @ $16.53 plus the labor costs. Shop time should be around 2 hours. On-site charges may vary depending on the servicer. P. Broadcast in-shop labor is currently $130 per hour so this type of repair would run $276.53 or so.

Damn! Always with the labor! OK, so if this happens 3 years down the road, the part would still be available? Or should any of us "nervous" ones pick one up and put it in the closet?

Jason,

The seven year retention is some legality requiring manufactures to maintain a supply of parts needed to repair their products for a minimum of 7 years. This does not include printed circiut boards and cosmetic parts.

However, this IC falls into that category so we'll have it for at least seven years and maybe longer if it gets used in any newer products.

The bottom line ? I think you are safe, but you are free to purchase this part and leave it in the china closet for use by some future servicer if you need that level of security.

The ride from Phillipsburg to Secaucus is not too bad anyway.

Techniwizard,

171 hours in 4 month?
I am very surprised about the hours of operation. I watch it for only couple of hours a day, but I thought that my kids watch it all the time.

Dimitry

Thanks! That does make me feel more comfortable. Part of my paranoia (I know you'll call it that!) is the uncertainty of 1) the cost if out of warranty and 2) availability of parts. I am completly comfortable with what you have said. I still think Panasonic needs to have a MUCH better knowledge base, because to me, a company that does not know what is going on with it's products is lacking in customer service.

But, I am still thrilled with my set! That was never in question...

T. Wiz,

Just got off the phone with an extremely helpful and accomodating servicer, who said he's going to go ahead and order the part, and try his best to make the repair in-home, which I am of course EXTREMELY excited about. Service scheduled for Wednesday...

Had a brief scare when he told me that while checking for availability of the replacement part it was showing as backordered ("Doh!"), but when he called and spoke to someone on the phone, they said they had just gotten a huge shipment in, and that my part was on its way ("Woo-hoo!").

So thanks again for the timely information, and for sharing it here... just let me know which VP to send the letter to!

Happily awaiting service,
Descolada

Des,

I may wait until I'm up for promotion

Yes, we did get a boat load of the ICs so there should be no backorders.

Let us know how it works out.

TWizard,
Do you know if there is a way to access the luminance range in the Service Menu of the PA2OU? Thanks for any input.

elvis

Well, my 1st edition 42PWD6UY just had it's first whine-click-flash*7 yesterday, and I hoped it was a fluke, but today it happened with a 5* flash. Which brought me here (thanks for the 800 # Techniwizard, they are going to call me back tomorrow AM) and I'm faced with the issue that being from MA I'm hundreds of miles from a local repair center. Major bummer if I have to ship this.

But whats equally as depressing was what greeted me when I went to get Lisaj's info, since I know what a great reputation she had, just to see they are no more. Oh well, at least it made it long enough to watch my boys win XXXVIII...

btw, 1453 hours

Tom M

I believe we now have an authorized service center in Mass.

The Pana website now lists all ASCs inadditio to the Factory service centers.

If needed, send an e-mail to BoettgerR@us.Panasonic.com and I'll forward your info to the right place.

For the newbies, please only msgs that are directly service related.

Use 800 524 1448 for tech questions.

The veterans here already know this, sorry to keep playing the same song.

ElvisDoc,

I know that the consumer service menu is different but that's about it.
1024 gray scale steps in VGA and 2048 steps in DVI as I recall. These are hardware dictated and cannot be changed as I recall.

Yup, there's a Independent Servicer Center in MA:

DAVE'S RADIO & TV = 44 Front Street - Ashland - MA 01721 - (508) 881-1731

Hmmm, 3 miles, I don't know, that's pretty far... :-)
Thats a relief, the Panny rep at the 800 # couldn't find anything within 200 miles, although he said he wasn't the regular guy, and I would get a call this morning.

I hope I can swing a house call, although it could be worse, it could be my 375 lb projection set that nearly killed the movers getting it in the basement. That things never leaving in one piece.

Thanks Techniwizard and Gx35,
TomM

3 miles away, and they want $150 extra to come to the house, that's great. Not to mention the fact that when I tried to explain that I wanted to be certain they had the part for the problem he starts to tell me it's the fans, and when I gave him the part # that is suspected he quickly says that's from the 5 series power supply, and my 6 series doesn't have that diode problem. Grrrr....

Now I have to find a way to get my set to this place and stare at an empty wall for days while they do whatever.

It must be nice to be the only game in town for several hundred miles. How about you send me the part and I'll put it in myself?

then again....

" 1.) If the power supply module is exchanged, you need to recheck all of the voltages (as they may vary from one unit to another) to see that they are in spec. Tolerances are +/- 1 vdc for most. However, the PIX calibration is done on the assembly line AFTER the power supply is set-up. Swapping modules can possibly cause need for a major realignment.

2.) Usually, no realignment is necessary after replacing only the IC. But, this PCB (and most PCBs for that matter) are multi layer, dual sided. While it can be desoldered on the kitchen table using normal hand tools, this can lead to damaged foil traces of the actual printed circuit and carbonized board material which may lead to future failures. Modern service facilities use various "hot air" vacuum type desoldering systems to minimize board and component damage. Such tools are not easily transported for field use."

Send me your phone # and a good time to call.

Don't PM I hardly check

Use BoettgerR@us.panasonic.com

Hey "D" (Descolada), Sorry to hear of your PDP troubles. I remember we both received our units about the same time last August and oh how excited we were. As you might have already read, I've already been through the dreaded "bug" and have emerged smiling! It's bad enough having the unit go south on ya, but it really gets bad when your service center tightens the thumb screws. Mine was located 20 miles from my house but they still came and did the repairs at my home. Hope all goes well with your repair.

Stitchman,

Ah, yes... well do I remember the glory days when everything was shiny and new, and never was heard the "shutdown" word...

Well, I'm now officially once again a happy camper - my repair was done today, and so far, so good! The tech swapped out the IC in no time at all (it actually took longer to take all the screws out of the back panel and replace them when he was done), everyone at the shop was extremely helpful and courteous, and all in all I was very satisfied with the whole process - primarily because I was able to get the repair done before my display died completely. If anyone ever needs a servicer in the Austin area, give the nice folks at Affordable Electronics a call....

Y'know, I think I feel much better having had the issue and come out the other side, than if it never would have happened... I'd have been wondering when (not if) it was gonna hit for as long as I owned the display... now I can finally uncringe and get back to enjoying my most excellent picture!

Anyway, best of luck to anyone still awaiting repair, and to anyone that still hasn't had the problem... do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya?

Descolada

That's what's still bugging me (sorry for the pun) about this whole shut-down issue. Given enough time will this shut-down bug eventually affect my July Panasonic 42 PA20u? Is there any sort of guarantee that I will be safe from it for the life of my set? I use my set infrequently so if the problem comes up I'll undoubtedly be out of warranty or the worse case scenerio would be that the part is no longer produced or available.

Even though I read the postings of Techniwizard that the shut-down bug doesn't affect all the June to August plasmas, (and I don't doubt his expertise), I still have this nagging suspicion that it does. Call me paranoid and/or cynical, I guess.

Well, they fixed my set today (replaced the 5 pin IC with desoldering tape and a good old iron) and it took less than an hour. It was happening several times a day.

I am curious about the bizzarre onset of the problem after 1450 hours without a hicup. I guess I didn't realize it was a diode within an IC. Are the failures due to the actual IC breakingdown, through EM or something, or is the new IC's diode tollerence's more forgiving for some fluctations in the power supply that increases over time? In other words, was it the 1450 hours of wear on the diode, or on some other component, that causes the shutdown?