Official JVC HD-xxFH97 HD-xxFN97 HD-xxFC97 Owners Thread - Page 221

I have the HD-61FN97. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the damaged part. I do have a couple pics of the light engine removed from the set but that won't show the problem. However, if you look at post 6570 in this thread you will see a pic that pauldow posted of the offending part. Mine was essentially identical to that. That one little part screws up the entire thing.

My sister has a 56" model that after turn on shuts off after about 2 min. No pic quality issues.No clicking noises that indicate ballast problem. Replaced lamp and that wasn't the problem. Tried unplugging and no change. Orange lights do flash. Followed troubleshooting ideas in manual without any luck. Anyone else come across this problem?

I picked up an HD-56FC97 up for $50 - Yes, $50, a few months ago from a guy locally here, who wound up with two of them, after his brother was deployed. It had been in storage, and was rather filthy, but after being cleaned up, it works great, with the exception of the internal speakers, which are hosed. I can't seem to get into the service menu with the prescribed sleep-0, then press Dispaly+Video Status simultaneously...anyone have any suggestions?

After perusing the thread, I found the following step I'd missed, in attempting to get to the service menu, which was that the remote must be in *both* TV mode an VCR mode (two switches at the top).

The service manual does explicltly state this ("Before entering the SERVICE MODE, confirm that the setting of TV/CATV switch of the REMOTE CONTROL UNIT is at the "TV" side and the setting of VCR/DVD switch is at the "VCR" side. If the switches have not been properly set, you cannot enter the SERVICE MODE."), but I'd just overlooked it.

Afterwards, I got in, and the lamp has 2,139 hours on it. Date of manufacture is January, 2009.

So did you get the speakers to work? Maybe they are just turned off in the menu? Or are they making crackling noises?

My HD61FN97 when powered on only displays the TV picture for less than one minute before going "dark".
Both the blue power led and the orange program/lamp led flash rapidly and simultaneously.After a short wait, pressing the power on button and the cycle repeats, giving me a picture for a very short time.
After depressing the power button to power off the set, the led's continue to flash as aforementioned.
the only way to turn off the flashing lights is to pull the power plug.
Before the screen goes dark, I can go to the Service Menu Screen where the use time of the lamp appears as 07D6
Lamp is approximately 18 months old. Since it does come on briefly each time I start the set, what most likely could be the problem?

Simultaneous flashing can mean three things. One, lamp door open. Two, lamp bad. Three, ballast bad.

When the lamp door is in place, it hits a switch inside the tv that tells the processor that the tv is safe to start. If it's just barely actuating the switch, it can go off when the area heats up and starts to expand. Take off the door and check it out.

Between the lamp and the ballast, it can be hard to troubleshoot. Generally we replace the lamp if it's about due. Just because the lamp lights for a short time doesn't mean it's good, because the lamp ignition process and the sustaining of the arc is two separate things. As the lamp heats up too, it gets harder for the ballast to sustain the arc.

These tvs can also get so clogged up with dust that they overheat quickly and shut themselves down. Generally you should get a different alarm indication than you have if it's overheating.

Please don't buy cheap $35 ebay lamps. They are unreliable if they work at all.

Thanks for your suggestions. I was able to borrow some used bulbs and by swapping them out with my 18 month old one, confirmed that it was a bulb problem.
By the way, no where can I see the bulb mfr. name on the bulb inside its cartridge. This present bulb lasted 3300 hours versus previous ones which lasted 4500 - 5000 hours.
I am finding some bulbs assembled in cartridge in the $60 - $90 range. Manufacturer is listed as UHP. Don't know if that's the code for Phillips?

Just an positive update, now that RP units are officially dead (Mitsu last to give up)...

My 61FN97 is six + years old. Works great. recently I noticed the picture getting dimmer, not responding much to brightness adjustments, etc.

I had a spare bulb (OEM JVC), so i took the plunge yesterday and replaced the bulb.

The picture is BRIGHT once again, good as new. I know there has been a lot o f advances in TV technology in the last few years, but... to my eyes the picture on this set is STUNNING.

Yep, when they don't have a problem they have a stunning picture. Good tuners too. Keep it cool. Vacuum out those filters in the side porthole covers regularly.

Not many of us left with working sets. I finally replaced my bulb this morning after 6.5 years. It hadn't burned out, but the picture was noticeably dimmer. It looks great again. Forgot to check the hours first, but must have been under 5000, because I never got the nag message.

Now the question is whether I should buy another spare bulb. Which will last longer, the TV or the bulb? Anyone have an OEM bulb sitting around with no TV to put it in?
Edited by saxhound - 6/1/13 at 11:09am

Hey Saxhound,

As you said, not many of us left here! And like yours, I need a new bulb too. My TV recently alerted me on screen that the bulb was running low. - after 6 years of use.

But after reading 80 pages or so of this thread, I still CAN NOT find the proper bulb rec for my 56FN. What bulb did you end up buying and from what company? I would so appreciate any feedback/advice you would have since I have never installed a bulb before. Also, is there a tutorial on how to take apart the TV?

And I think you should ride this final bulb out. If you can get another 4 years out of it it will definitely be time for a new tv by then. At least then you could toss it on CList and make $50 bucks.

Thanks for your ideas/advice!

I bought it a couple years ago from another member here who had two original bulbs. I sent him a PM last week, but the second one is gone. This is still showing up for $199 in a search.

http://store.jvc.com/product.asp?Model=TS-CL110UAA

I think I'd be more inclined to buy a couple of the $35 ones from Amazon.

I'm also finding this:

http://www.discount-merchant.com/p-23-jvc-ts-cl110uaa-lamp-replacement-ts-cl110u.aspx

The bulb replacement is easy. Unplug (make sure the set has been off for a while), and open the bulb door in the left rear (one Philips screw). Loosen the two Philips screws on the bulb housing (they don't need to come all the way out), and gently slide the entire housing straight out. You probably want to clean that area out - I used a little shop vac and a very slightly damp rag. Insert the new bulb, tighten the screws and replace the door. While you have the shop vac there, clean out the two vents (one on either side).

Taking the screen off to clean the inside is a bigger project. There used to be a link in this thread with great pictures and instructions, but I think it is gone. IIRC, one of the most important things is to remove the speakers first and disconnect the wires. Otherwise, when you go to remove the screen, you won't be able to pull it away from the TV. Removing the screen is a two person job. Remove all the screws (there must have been about 20 - save the top of screen ones for last), and with a helper gently lift the screen assembly off the front. Have your helper hold the screen in place as you remove the last couple screws. Be careful not to flex it. Make sure you have cleared an area on your floor to lay it down flat. I put down a nice soft blanket. Wipe the inside and outside of the screen with a clean damp rag or lint free cloth. I wouldn't recommend trying to separate the layers of the screen. Someone here did that, and had a lot of trouble getting it back together.

Cleaning:
Shop vac the inside of the cabinet with a nice soft brush. Ideally, empty your shop vac and put a clean filter on it first so you don't recycle dust back into the area. I even clamped some cheesecloth over the exhaust port. With the exception of the mirror and lens, don't use any cleaning products, just wipe everything you can reach with a slightly damp rag. Be gentle around the electronics.

Use a lint free cloth and alcohol based screen cleaner on the lens (I used Maxell Digital Screen Cleaner and an eyeglass cleaning cloth I bought at Walmart).

It is possible to remove the mirror, but I cleaned it in place. Use Windex and a lint free cloth. Spray the Windex on the cloth, not the mirror, and work a small section at a time. If the cloth gets dirty, use a fresh one. In order to really see the dirt, it helps to get down on the floor in front and shine a bright flashlight at the mirror. I was surprised how much I missed after the first pass.

Re-assemble by reversing the process. It does help to have a magnetized Philips screwdriver, as some of the screw openings are deep inside the frame holes, and it's hard to get them lined up.


It took about an hour and a half total, because I was being very careful.Could probably do it in a hour now that I know what I am doing. In fact, I really need to do it again soon, as it has been three years. I was watching the hockey game the other night, and I could see some dark smudges on the ice that are either on the mirror or the inside of the screen.

Good luck.

Edit: Just searched and found my original post on this - it's #6248 in this thread. Seems like I remembered most of the important stuff. Forgot that I removed the screen by myself!
Edited by saxhound - 6/15/13 at 7:50am