Pioneer 503CMX plasma power supply on replacement list! merged thread - Page 2

If someone here could be kind enough to post there settings for the 503cmx... Thanks I really appreciate it...

You may want to check out this site at c/net.
c/net news.com

Pioneer replaces plasmaTV power supplies.


Lists all the models affected.

Says consumers

Well, after being away all weekend, I was greeted Sunday night to a lovely "pop". The call to Pioneer was painless, and the tech I spoke to said it was unnecessary to speak to the industrial department for my 433cmx. The only holdup is that there is not a local service tech listed for my area. Does anybody know if Pioneer will travel to fix my display or will they require me to take it to a distant repair facility?

Thanks, I'll try to get them to let me do it myself if they won't travel. No way do I want to lug this thing around. The repair sounds very simple, and I don't think I would have any problems. We'll see, I should hear from Pioneer today.

Well, I got the call, and I couldn't talk them into letting me do the replacement. Since there isn't a local service tech, it must be shipped to Atlanta. A shipping case will be coming via Watson Shipping/Freight, and I guess the driver and I will load the display. I spoke to the actual tech that will be working on my display, and he assured me that all will be ok and that there is not any kind of backlog. My baby's going on a road trip.

locating the Serial Number

If you do opt for the replacement power supply, you will need to give Pioneer the serial number of the unit

It is easy to find without removing the display from the mount:

it can be found underneath the left corner of the frame (on the bottom )

edit: well at least you can find it on the 503: I looked at my HD1000 and don't see it: the frame may be hiding it !

The number listed on the website is correct.

You will need your serial number, model number and whether there is an "orange dot" sticky on the back of your TV (if it is there, the factory already upgraded your unit to the new power supply.)

So what's the consensus on replacing the power supply even though you haven't had a problem as of yet? I have the 503 CMX and I hesitate to do anything that might end up causing me other problems further down the road. (I'm leaning toward Marks opinion that you "don't fix what is not broken") but would like to know what everyone else thinks.

I'd hate to think that if I don't do something now, I might get stuck with having to purchase a new PS sometime in the future, only because I didn't act now and Pioneer withdraws their "free replacement offer" when I need it.

Is it possible to call Pioneer and get an authorization number but hold off on calling a service center until the PS actually goes out? If I called the service center could they order the part and hold on to it for me until I need it installed?

Oh what to do!!! what to do!! (sigh)

I own a 25 month old 433cmx that works fine but i gave pioner a call this morning after reading this thread .They gave me the local pioneer service company and i gave them a call.the technician knew all about the ps problem and asked me to check the back of my plasma for a blue circular sticker which signifies the power source board has already been changed.Mine had a yellow and white sticker as well as a blue so the technician said i was all set and if i had a problem to call pioneer.He said halfway through the panel assembly work they switched out the boards.Mine had a build date of nov. 2002.I have no idea if this blue sticker appears on 503 models that are okay.Keep in mind this blue sticker thing was told to me by my local Pioneer service center and not the pioneer company themselves but im going with the explanation and hoping for the best.

Maybe the 433 had a blue coded sticker-I hope.

I took a picture of my 433 before I sent it off on Friday. I'll check tonight to see what color(s) it has. Hopefully, it hasn't already been upgraded.

Mattg3

I've 433 and spoke with Pioneer. They told me to look for an orange sticker on the back. No orange sticker than you are likely to have a potentially defective PS. Although, You may want to contact PIO directly to confirm.

Thanks,I dont know why my local pioneer service center said to look for a blue sticker?I will give Pioneer another call and let them know about this blue sticker thing i was told since I have that but not an orange one.Ashridharani,do you have the 433cmx which i have?since you are from Ma. also are you dealing with the video workbench in beverly Ma.As your service center?They are the ones who told me about having a blue sticker that would show the power supply was okay. thanks

Hi,

Can anyone tell me about where on the back of the 503 the orange sticker should be? Mine is on the wall so I will have to look for the sticker with a mirror on a stick.

tia

Lew

Well I called back pioneer and was connected to the consumer division and in fact it is the orange sticker that means you dont need a power board replacement.they are contacting my local service center which claimed a blue dot on the back signified the plasma was fine.Pioneer was great about this but my service center would end up with a lot of dead plasmas with the blue dot information they are going by.

I believe the sticker(s) are to the inside of where the mounting brackets go on the back. More to left side if you are facing the back. It'll be pretty tricky to get a mirror up there.

So far I haven't read any comments that address my original post above.
Could I please get some feedback? It sure would help me make a decision.

Thanks

OTHguy,Im in the same boat as you with a 25 month old perfectly running 433cmx.I got spooked by this thread and gave Pioneer a call and they said i should have the board replaced.I believe somewhere in this thread someone said if the power supply blows you could end up needing to replace the whole unit.hopefully the patr will be available soon to my service center and the replacement will not screw up my plasma since its out of warranty.I didnt want to face a blown board months down the road when this free repair offer goes away.

Sorry Mattg3 for the delayed response. Did not get a chance to check the forum recently. Looks like you already got the answer from Pioneer. They gave me a name of the shop in Norwood called The Service Bench...sounds awfully similar to your shop name, different town. I've not called them yet as I'm, like yourself, debating if I need to switch PS if it is working fine.

I have one on order to be replaced when it comes into the service center.I figure this time the problems on pioneer but if i wait I may end up paying for the failure myself.

Well, my 433cmx is due back from Atlanta on Thursday, 4/14/05. I sent it out on 4/1/05. So two weeks total to ship the thing off, but "my tech" was on vacation last week. I was also mistakenly billed for the freight to Atlanta by Watkins Motor Lines. That was a scary bill...$916.39
Other than that, everything has been smooth sailing. Correspondence with Pioneer and Watkins Motor Lines has been great. The guy from Watkins helped me load the display in its special case, and they always call about four days in advance to schedule a pickup/dropoff. They've also offered to call my work 30 minutes before arrival as well. Hopefully, nobody else will have to go this route, but if so, it was as painless as could be so far.

Brian

Matt,

Did they say how long before the part comes in?

No but its been over a week.I will post when the work is done