Official Sony VPL-AW15 Projector Thread - Page 47

Has anyone ever had this issue? After removing my projector from
the ceiling to replace the bulb assembly, I was unable to remove the bulb
assembly. It seems like it is stuck. Sony support wasn't really any help.
I even removed the three or four screws near around the assembly cage
to see if that would help, but no luck. No tips in the manual to address this issue. Any help is appreciated.

There are three screws in the bulb housing that you must loosen completely. Then pull straight up on the two tangs. This does require more force than you would expect. A rocking motion as you pull up will also help. Eventually you will prevail.

Use a flashlight to inspect for debris and clean the entire area thoroughly with the methods discussed earlier before inserting the new lamp. Make sure the metal contact plates are shiny. This projector is very temperamental. Clean environment seems to be critical. Consider making your own filter using microfiber material.

Summary for avoiding 3 blinking red light start problem:

1) Thoroughly clean the projector by removing lint and soot. Shine up the metal contact plates with steel wool.
2) Set fan to High.
3) Ensure all video inputs are completely off before turning on the projector.
4) Should the 3 blinking red light problem reoccur, try rocking the projector laterally.

Thanks, I will try this your recommendation about rocking it back and forth after removing the screws. I assume the tangs are the 'grips" on the housing... I must have missed your response initially and just checked back on this site. The upside is the projector comes on and I have 3500 hours on the bulb and it is still a good picture, though I do get the message to replace the bulb.

Correction, about 3100 hours on the bulb.

I having some issues with my sony bravia Projector VPL-AW15. We replaced the bulb and the new one doesn't have alot of hours on it. I replaced the filter as well. Now when we turn on the the projector it stays on for a few minutes then turns off and blinks 3 times (then stops and repeats until you turn it off). Does anyone know what this means or how to find the source of the problem? I took the bulk and everything out, cleaned out the housing, and cleaned as much dust out of the projector as I could find.

Is the replacement bulb a generic one or did you buy a genuine Sony bulb that sells for close to $300?

I am not sure, how would you tell the difference? I bought mine over a year ago so I wouldn't have the link to know which one. The bulb worked fine for several 100 hours before this problem occurred. My brother basically burned out the projector by playing his final fantasy games on it for 10-12 hours a day. He said it would have the same problem its having now but would only do it after a few hours but if he put a fan next to the unit then it would go a little longer before it would shut down. I was not around when the projector went out as I was out of town for a few months so I am just going off of what he has told me and how it acts now.
This is the bulb I bought, I was able to track it down.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SONY-LMP-H160-PROJECTOR-LAMP-VPL-AW10-VPL-AW15-S160-/251051859091?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a73db5c93

Sorry, you bought a "Compatible" lamp, which means that it WASN'T! Read the listing description, it actually says "Compatible". That is a red flag right there. Do not depend on the seller to tell you it is or isn't compatible. I've seen plenty of ads where the seller said a lamp was compatible with a list of projectors and a quick check of the list showed that he was lying.

A generic lamp can work for a few hundred hours and quit. Why? Because the electrical parameters may be JUST in the envelope for the projector to work, but after a short period of time, it is no longer "compatible"

So, bottom line, by trying to save a few bucks, you actually WASTED your money. These forums are full of reports from people who did the same as you and regretted it. I know of people who bought "compatible" lamps for their projectors and the lamps burned considerably hotter than the OEM lamps and burned the optics.

Ok so how do I know what one is an original or the real one then? All the one's I have looked at are from reputable dealers and say the exact same thing. Also your basically saying that there's nothing wrong with my projector and I just have a bad bulb? My original bulb was awesome and lasted almost over 3000 hours. I would love to get one that does that again.

http://purelandsupply.com/VPL-AW15-Sony-Projector-Lamp.html?gclid=CK2ykKSPw7UCFUZV4AodAnwA2A
https://www.apexlamps.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=998&gclid=CKvb-KSPw7UCFUVN4AodjS8AhQ
http://www.projectorquest.com/vpl-aw15s-lamp.html?gdftrk=gdfV22194_a_7c1213_a_7c8246_a_7cLMPH160&gclid=COalosCSw7UCFVGf4AoduV8AOA
Are any of these good? The apex seems the most legit of a company and OEM is the right type of bulb to get since I assume sony doesn't make replacements anymore?

It's likely that nothing is wrong with your projector. But you'll never know for sure until you get the correct lamp.

Don't buy lamps (or bare bulbs) that say "compatible" or generic. Look for descriptions that say OEM. Here is one from a reputable supplier....

http://www.provantage.com/scripts/search.dll?QUERY=LMP-H160&Submit.x=5&Submit.y=18

BTW, you said your brother "burned out" the projector? You didn't mean that literally, did you? You were talking about the lamp failing?
Edited by Sheridan1952 - 2/19/13 at 6:41pm

No I just meant that he played it way to much and used up what was left of the hours on the bulb. This company seems to have the same thing a little bit cheaper. Is apex a good company?
https://www.apexlamps.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=998&gclid=CKvb-KSPw7UCFUVN4AodjS8AhQ

I don't have any personal experience with them but they're saying all the right things on their website, so I'd say...try them.

And next time you need a replacement lamp, look at OEM pricing, that will be your guideline for the price range you should be in. You're actually lucky with that model that you have as replacement lamps for many other projectors average about $300. So you might want to take that into consideration when it's time to replace your projector.
Edited by Sheridan1952 - 2/19/13 at 6:41pm

Awesome, thank you for your help. I am a few months off before I can afford the new bulb but I appreciate the help. I am hoping to get a couple more years out of my projector as it works with everything I currently use and has the HDMI port as well.

I retired my AW15 and bought an Epson 8350 1080p projector for under $1,100 over a year ago justifying the "upgrade" by realizing the LMP-H160 replacement would run me in the $300 range.  I'm not sure these mentioned are Sony manufactured assemblies, Sony bulbs with generic housing, or just simple OEM compatible at pricing anywhere below $200

Does this model look like it would be a suitable replacement for my bulb? It has the housing and says it is an OEM model bulb
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-LMP-H160-Projector-Replacement-Lamp-w-Housing-for-model-VPL-AW15-/390511278085?pt=US_Projector_Lamps_Components&hash=item5aec493805

I just clicked on the link and it says:

 

NOTE: This listing is for an enclosure with a OEM Compatible lamp.

Guess that answered my question then. Thanks

My Sony VPL-aw15 projector was just working last night. When I turned it on this afternoon the lamp/cover light was blinking and blinking and the projector would not come on. I know this is a older model projector but it has been working fine for a long time. I just replaced the bulb in it less than a month ago and it was working fine, now it is not. I was told to reset the lamp, but how exactly am I suppose to do that. Can somebody please help me!!!

Without consulting the manual it would seem you need to reseat the lamp assembly.  While you're at it, change the air filter!