Official Mitsubishi LT-46131 & LT-46231 (46" 1080p LCD) Owner / Discussion Thread - Page 101

So how did the board swap go after trying the firmware upgrade from Mitsubishi? I believe you were going to wait for a flash drive from them and use that rather than a copy? Does the TVGOS now work?

Also, if it did, I'm curious if it installed exactly as the instructions indicate.

Installed the board I got off eBay and that fixed the blue blinking light problem. I then tried copying the firmware update files to a flash drive, but i could never get them to install (I tried multiple formats (FAT32/4k, FAT32/8K, FAT32/16k). So I called Mitsubishi and they sent a flash drive with the update F/W. I did not put it in my computer to see what files were on it, I just followed the instructions and the F/W updated to version 8.32 (I did check after the update and the files were deleted. The thumb drive is a Kingston 4GB formatted FAT32/16k). After 24 hours the TV guide worked like it should. Not sure how long this used PWB board will last, but hoping it will go for a couple years. Anyway, so far so good.

Well, good to know that Mitsubishi still supported the upgrade even on a used replacement board!

Yes, I'm still debating if I want to buy all new caps for my defective board. I don;t get why the first one should have failed and the second one is working now for going on 3 1/2 years.

Your first one may have been built when they happened to be using a bad batch of capacitors. If you don't repair it now, at least put it on the shelf in case you need to repair it and use it later.

Oh, it's been in storage for the 3 1/2 years since I got the replacement DM board. And, I've recorded all 60-some capacitor values on it in case I want to order some.

This whole thing about capacitors failing gets me a bit riled. This seems to be an issue on many electronics items from appliances like refrigerator control boards, DVD players, and other consumer electronics. They use similar SMD caps on automotive engine computers that live under the hood of a car and they work for years in harsh conditions. Well, maybe TV makers buy caps with lower specifications, but still. I priced the caps and they would run on an average of 80 cents a piece or so. I'd probably go a bit higher on some voltage values though if I do replace them.

Hello, I'm having a problem with my set, i have been searching back but haven't come across another with the same issue I think. When I turn my set on it sometimes does not show me the red channel so the images look terrible, If i power it up and down a few times it clears up and once on stays good. I have seen the same thing on 2 different inputs so I was wondering if its the power supply or something else and how to proceed, Thanks.

First, by "red channel" do you mean the Red input on perhaps, the Red input for a component Red, Green Blue input source? Or Red channel , meaning Red is missing from the displayed colors on the LCD panel?

If you can, try connecting up an antenna to the tuner, unless you already have that, and see if Red is gone than also. If it is ok from the tunerm then it is likely your main input board.

More details would help.

my 52144 had the panel replaced 2 yrs into it due to veritcal green lines popping up. then it happened with new panel and recently when comign back from vacation, we turn the set on to see what looks like a large burst in the middle like something was thrown at the tv. The thing theres no external scratch on the screen and theres no recollection of anything that couldve flown toward the screen. were wondering if something burst inside the panel (heat?)

anyways, were down with Mitsu LCD. was an excellent picture when it was released but as mentioned way too many problems. Is the quest to push out latest and greatest feature set the quickest hurting quality of TVs?

Looking at an LG LED to replace.

wondering if I can sell this unit anywhere for parts

Sorry to hear about your TV, but I still have my LT46231 and is working fine.

That said, it doesn't matter what brand you get they all use low cost Chinese capacitors and likely that is all that is wrong with it. One or more caps go bad and cause various issues. I spoke with one electronics tech and he said that life cycle is about 5 years on most electronics and even things like refrigerators. Google "Bad Caps" and there is a whole web site about this.

Don't know what model LG you are looking at but I have a 2010 LG 42LD550 which I like very much. I wouldn't buy and LCD with LED back lighting from any brand though, except for models costing $1,500 to $3,500 depending on screen size. Lower end LED TVs have more issues. If you are looking at LG I suggest the "LK" line in 42", 47", 55" and 60". priced from $499 to about $1,400. Stick with CCFL lighting unless you want to spend more on a full array LED set in my opinion.

Hello thanks for the response . I'm using the HDMI inputs to the TV I Have experienced this on both inputs with both sources, Direct TV DVR and and HD Live box. By red channel I mean as in RGB colors the set sometimes turns on minus red. If its my main input board is that fixable by me?

Ok, to narrow it down, you should try and see if when "Red" is missing, that it also affects reception from the built in tuner. This will help diagnose if it is the input board or DM main board, since the tuner is located right on the main DM board. So, if you have an antenna, even a small rabbit ears, scan in some channel and see if Red is absent there also. If it is, it probably is not the input board, but the main board itself, or a connection issue from the main board to the LCD panel. In fact, you could try taking the back off the TV and removing and resecuring each connector to the main DN board. It is the one with the HDMI connectors on it and , IEEE Firewire connectors.

Chances are, from what you've said already, it could just be a loose or compromised connection to the LCD panel. The thing is, you have to carefully lay the TV down on a coffee table with a pad or blanket on it, support the edges of the TV (being careful there is no pressure on the LCD screen), and then remove lots of screws. I used about 10 or 12 blocks of stiff white packing foam about 4x3x2 all around the edge of the TV bezel when face down.

If you decide to do this, you can also look for "bulging" little silver capacitor "cans" which would reveal themselves as a problem.

Thanks Phase700B, I'll try this as soon as i can and report back .

That would be great. Hope it goes well. I recommend help getting the TV horizontal on a table. It's pretty bulky.

And you can replace just about all the circuit boards in the tV once you get it apart. Just be careful and place screws in a container or number of containers since some are longer than others. There are a number of shiny elelctrical shields inside also that may need removal. I and a few others here had to replace the DM main board. It went well.

Sometimes DM boards show up on Ebay as well as the power supply and input boards. The power supply and input board are the same as on the 46131. Only the DM board is different. And a 46131 DM board will work, but you will loose TVGOS, the Firewire ports, and a few other functions.

This morning I went to turn on the tv in the living room and was greeted by a continual blue light flashing very quickly. I am not new to this as my Mits in the bedroom will do this if there is a power outage or surge but it comes back on within 30 secs...not so with this set.... This has never happened to the one in the living room...it is a LT46321...it has worked flawlessly for 6 years....I looked up the problem in the manual but it only speaks of a green light....no green...blue....Help

Lynda...

Hi Lynda. Myself and a few others have also had this come up. If you use the "search thread" tool in the bottom left of the page here you will find some of them. It usually means a problem on the "main" or DM board. Some say it could be just a small capacitor that has failed on the DM board. There is even a service someone offers online from a tech who will replace all caps on the DM board or exchange it. Last time I checked it cost about $140 or so and you had to remove and send him the board.

If you or yours are not into taking apart a TV like this. . .. well, maybe you know someone? Also, from time to time a used DM board will show up on Ebay for under $100. Otherwise, when new they were about $500. I do not think they are avaialable but you could call Mitsubishi and ask .

Hope this helps. I was disappointed when mine went out also.

Thanks so much for answering me....I have a repair guy literally on his way....I would much rather spend the money to get this great set fixed than to buy one that will have other problems...I.had already "searched" for the answer on this forum but mostly it is the Green light of death that comes up....the power blue flashing light is not addressed...I love this place....everyone for the most part treats our problems with respect....I am electronically educated so I am hoping its not the DM board....I am however not up to opening up the tv to fix it....I do fix computers but this is a whole other thing....I do know about the capacitor problems....I will now have the language to speak with the repair guy if it is over a certain amount I will give it up and go another way...I can't wait to see the look on my hubby's face when he sees the 19 in flatscreen from the kitchen in place of his 46 in.....such a hardship....LOL...


The repair guy said it IS the DM board .....if it is available he will come back to fix it...if not we move on....

Unfortunately the new technology lasts about 5-7 years on average according to the repair guy I last saw, vs the CRT sets that last a couple of decades. I bet my 8 year old Hitachi Ultravision 1080i CRT RP set I sold will be going for another 10 years at least and my Mitubishi LCD will be long gone before it gives out. The only up side is the new technology coming out all the time. The next set might be 3D. And instead of 120hz, 600 or some incredible number along with built in internet capabilities.. And the price will be about the same as the old one. But yeah, the new technology sets last nowhere near as long as the old. Even DLP has issues. My sister's had the color wheel go and it was hundreds, so she got a new set.

I hear you....my repair guy says the DM board is available so he ordered it....it was over $400....with labor it will be about $650 to fix it.....I know the wisdom of spending this amount on a 6 year old tv is probably to buy another but my electronically challenged husband would have to relearn everything....the repair guy said if the new board did not fix the set then he would charge me only the service call so right now in my eyes its a win win situation if it gets fixed....if is a big word....this tv replaced a 20 year old tv that died...it is annoying that new technology screws up so often but what can you do....I am spoiled now.....

Lynda....

I paid $400 for a 37" Panasonic LCD with a 3 year warranty. Without, it was $350. You can get a new TV with a warranty for hundreds less and most likely a better picture. But yeah, its easier to have it repaired. Might not be cheaper. Or last long.

I think this is the DM board for the LT-46231 if I remember my part number correctly.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitsubishi-934C152008-DM-Board-/251129676654?pt=US_TV_Boards_Parts_Components&hash=item3a787ec36e


I got mine from Sears Parts Direct, but they no longer have it. Another AVS memeber here bought one from off Ebay ans as far as I know it is still working for him.

Well, I'm wondering how the repair action went?

It got kind of quiet here again. Maybe difficulty in getting parts? I did some searches on the DM board issues and found some notes I saved. It seems most failures are due to just a hand full of certain value capacitors. This was the issue on the DM boards for several models in the 2006 to 2008 model years. A shame that just a small 40 to 90 cent part can end the operation of a $500 circuit board. I may start checking the caps on my old DM board and buy a few to replace the usual suspects I found in my notes. Then, if my current DM board fails I will have another to try.

Oh, the DM board also has a metal shroud with obvious fan mounts over it. However, there is no fan present. So I installed an external low speed PC type fan right over the grill slots in the back TV panel DM board location and a make shift tupperwear filter shroud over it to move cool air over the DM board. It has worked now for over 3 years.

Well, it would nice to hear what the repair guy found. Also, there is info in the thread here on how to make better white balance settings for the "Warm" and "Cool" color temps.

hi funny you should ask...the repair guy got here today an hour early and got right to work....he replaced the DM board and my beautiful Mits was back in business better than ever....it was not cheap but since I am not a DIY er in tv repair it was worth it had I bought the part off the net the repair shop would not have given me a warranty...the picture is brighter and snappier...I guess there had been symptoms that I ignored....but now all is forgiven...it cost $488 for the part and in total it was $726...not cheap but my set has features such as both Perfect tint and Perfect Color something that has allowed me to tweak facial color to perfection ...newer versions of big screens are not necessarily better...for what I want in an upgrade it would have been twice as much....the repair took about a half hour at the most...it was worth it....

Lynda

Glad to hear your man found a DM board and another LT-46231 is still working! Did you ask where he managed to get a DM board? I've searched and came up with nada so far. Maybe a secret " repair guy "source"?

I agree Lynda. I love my Mits also, not only for the really great picture, But I also like the TVGOS and the 2 Firewire inputs which I use with 2 hard disc drive DVRs. I can schedule and record OTA TV programs and view whenever we want. Also, it has a slew of legacy inputs like S-Video and component for my older but very good Denon DVD player, Laser Disc player, and more.

One thing you may want to do especially if you have the new DM board is tweak the white balance for the Warm and Cool Color Temp. settings. I found both color temperatures to be quite a bit off. I used the AVS HD709 disc to do this plus I followed it up with a couple of newer B&W DVD/Blu-ray to fine tune it. You can also use the Disney WOW disc, AVIA disc, or even just a movie with actual B&W portions in it. I use" Sea Biscuit " since it has a number of B&W still pictures in the first minutes of the movie and also later on. It also has great natural colors.

It is easy to do and you can't really screw anything up since you can change settings and have to hit and extra key to SAVE anything you change. You can write down settings that are there first which is always a good things to do. The instructions for doing this are at Post #2990. It is best to make these settings with all controls at default and all picture enhancement like Deep Color, Sharpening, etc Off. Then you can also try the settings after this that I posted in Post # 2945.

If your picture looks good now with no color tints to B&W material than fine. I always noticed it was "off". But if you notice it looks yellowish or greenish on Warm or too blue in Cool color temps, this will really make the TV picture pop. After I did this my daughter asked if we bought another TV! I can't say enough about correcting the Warm and Cool Color Temp white balance. It made an already good picture reveal depth, color and realism like I could hardly believe.
Edited by Phase700B - 9/13/12 at 12:48pm

Hi Phase sorry to get back to you so late I have been watching my beautiful tv...LOL....I have zero regrets about the money I spent to fix this....I believe Adams tv bought the part through Mitsubishi...Duc the technician says that they always go to the manufacturer for parts...the part alone was $488...I watched him put it in and it was a "pull a ribbon tab and put one back " type of repair...easy..if you know how...it took him longer to take out all the screws and stand then it did for him to replace the part...a funny story....he asked me to prop up the tv so that he could put the tv back to factory specs..so I stood behind the set leaning it against my legs...he was in front facing the tv.....he turned on the power with the remote and the tv immediately turned on...we were excited then it immediately turned off....he again turned the power on and the same thing happened...then I remembered that the power button is on the bottom under the frame on the left hand side of the set....once I remembered that I propped a book under the frame on the left so that the power button was no longer hitting the floor...what dopes we were...we laughed so hard...he put the stand back on and we were in business...the tv again is beautiful...I wrote down all the settings long ago and kept it in the manual so I returned everything to normal and again I have a tv I love for about $728....less than half of what a new tv would cost with all the features this one has...I know replace is the norm now but I figure in a couple of years tv's will have worked out most of the bugs we will then trade up to a Smart tv...right now I am content....I hate the new Mits DLPs....so this alternative worked for us...

Lynda...

I have a series 149 Mitsubishi that a green line showed up on today. Then it turned red, then it went away. Strange. Had the line issue just out of warranty but Mitsubishi replaced the panel. So, 3 years later, panel acting up after being replaced. Goes along with what I've seen and told about the short life of these new TVs. Going to upgrade the size and features. 73" Mitsubishi DLP with 3D is only $1100. Double that price for the same size LCD or 82" DLP.

Power supply or main board? 46131 won't turn on unless its unplugged from the wall for a few seconds and then plugged back in, after which the blue light blinks for about a minute and then the TV works fine for a few days until I have to repeat the process all over again. I've done the factory resets but that doesn't seem to help much anymore, at one time the reset would allow the TV to power on normally for months, now its down to days.

Well, I would bet more on the main (DM) board, but both may be available. Most agree that it't just some of the small capacitors that fail on the board over time and make these flakey issues. I would do a google or search on the E-pay auction site. Or, sometimes a local TV repair sguy can find the parts like one did a few posts above.

I have not been on-line reading or posting in a while. My Mitzu has been working good for some time now. Do not use it daily, but when I do, it runs fine. Until the last couple months that is. One minor issue, and one main issue.

First the minor. What has happened to the TV Guide? Did the system shut down? I read some comments online elsewhere that the TV Guide system is no longer. Does anyone know if thats true?

Now the major. As I said, I dont use this tv daily. Maybe thats why its lasted so long. BUT, that last couple months, I think it has been losing power. I actually caught it doing it once. Out of no where, with the unit turned off, I hear it click as though the cable was unplugged. I look at the tv and I see the blue light flashing, as though it was unplugged and plugged back in. When I actually turn the unit back on, the time is lost, and some of my settings are gone. That includes the use of tuner 2. I do have a cable card in this thing, but I seem to remember that I still had the ability to add a anntena, or something similar. I also think as a result of the problems Im catching, my cable card is also being reset. Another hint that the unit is losing power I think.

Anyone have any idea what could be going on? Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Hello and welcome back. Yes, TVGOS or electronic TV Guide is being phased out between last November and April of this year. The new "owners" of this service have opted t abandon it with no recourse for devices that use it.

As for your "loss of power". . . it sounds like either a power supply problem or a main (DM) board. Apparently these boards suffers from a fairly widespread malady referred to as badcap syndrome. These are the small, electrolytic capacitors mounted on the circuit boards to assist circuits performing various functions. These "caps" in particular, are small SMD (Surface Mount Devices) that look like small cylindrical cans mounted on the surface of the DM and Power Supply boards. Sometimes, in the effort to reduce size and cost, components like these go out to the supplier with the lowest bid. Or sometimes a manufacturing process of things like these capacitors goes awry. Either way, premature failure is the result. These things do not always fail "all at once". In the case of these capacitors, they have a semi liquid electrolyte in them that can start to dry out. Or the very thin metallic films in them can short out intermittently which causes conditions such as you have. My DM board failed when it was only 18 months old and I ordered a new one from Sears Parts Direct where they are no longer available. The main reason I repaired it was because of the TVGOS and the IEEE 1394 Firewire ports on the TV which I use for recording antenna received TV shows in HiDef. And the TV has excellent picture quality.

If you want the TV repaired, you may have a shot at it with a local repair technician if you can find one who has connections with replacement Mitsubishi parts. Also, there was at least one or two services on Ebay that replaced all the capacitors on the circuit board. Look back a few posts and there was an owner who had a repair tech replace her DM board some months back.

Here is one possible source. I just googled "Mitsubishi 92C531004 DM" which is the part number for the board.

http://www.encompassparts.com/item/7065270/Mitsubishi/921C531004/Pwb-dm_%28Vlp33+%29_G_%28Ta_Req%29
Edited by Phase700B - 2/2/13 at 8:38am

I haven't posted here in years, because I haven't had a problem with my LT-46231 in years. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I moved to a new home. My LT-46231 won't power on. Nothing, nada. No blue light even. I took the back off the TV and visually inspected the boards, I see no bulging caps, or anything that looks blown or burned. I've tried the System Reset switch and Format & Input buttons. I've tried the TV in different power outlets. I Googled but haven't come up with anything. Is there something else I can try or look for? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

Reid