Problem with Zenith D52WLCD

It's a 52" Rear Projection LCD HDTV.

After years of problem-free operation, tonight it started turning itself off after just a minute or so of being turned on. The second LED by the power button would blink red a few times when that happened, this is the Lamp Indicator, and the manual says this behavior indicates:

"There is a problem with the lamp or around it. Contact an authorized service center."

It might be getting close to the end of the lamp's service life, and there is another indication for that, and I don't see that indication.

If I thought that replacing the lamp would cure this problem, I'd do it, but I'd hate to spend ~$250 on a new lamp only to learn that the problem persists.

Anybody out there have any experience with this type of problem, or have any ideas on what the problem might be? I removed the lamp assembly, looked for problems, nothing apparent, replaced it, still have the problem.

Contacting an Authorized Service Center is a last resort that I'm hoping to avoid.

Hmmm. I was hoping with all the members here that someone else had heard of such a problem.

Last week I took it into the nearest Authorized Service Center for an estimate ($80 plus tax). When I got back from doing that, I had an email from someone who had seen this thread but wasn't a member (and couldn't register because they had lost the registration email link). They said they had the same problem, and happened to have a spare bulb on hand, and when they replaced the bulb the problem went away. So that might have pushed me over to just trying a new bulb had I known that prior to taking it in for an estimate.

Called the service center today, got the bad news: $700-$800 to fix it, he says it's the light engine. I'm having trouble believing that since it looks fine for the minute or two that it stays on. So I'll be getting it back tomorrow, back where I started, minus $87. I could still try the bulb but if that doesn't cure it I'll be set back another $250. Another option is a second opinion, in hopes of getting an honest estimate. Or I could just end up out another ~$90.

It's looking more and more like another HDTV is in store for me. Maybe this is my excuse to step up to 1080p.

Alright, problem solved, I ordered a replacement lamp, it seems to work now. In hindsight I should have done that right away. Experience is a great teacher. I learned an $80+tax lesson.

I also know not to take anything to that TV repair shop that told me it needed a new light engine. I was sure that was not the case and now I've proven it.