When turned on, TV screen has limited flash/blip of light then stays dark. Is that the picture tube gone out?

Question

It would not surprise me if the picture tube needs replacing because this TV has gotten a lot of use. But I am not a TV repairman so I'm just wondering if this might be something else.

The blip of light is horizontal across the middle of the screen like the TV is trying to turn on, but can't or won't. And it disappears just as quickly as it appears when the set is turned on.

What does that sound like to you in terms of repairs needed?

Please list your experience level or research source in this question as I more appreciate hearing from someone who really knows TVs. Thank you!

Answer 1

John...I don't think tvs have "picture tubes" any longer!

One of my pet gripes today is that when something happens to one of your electronics...you have to toss it and buy another....don't think they make tv repairmen anymore either...everything is geared to cost more....wear out quicker...be un-repairable...and add more junk to our landfills!

Answer 2

wow... weird...



the same thing happened to my tv... never heard of it happening to anyone else though... kinda cool to finally hear that i'm not alone!



Well anyway....



I'm no electronics guru so I really can't begin to tell you what's wrong with it, but i can tell you this: its time to buy a new tv.



I actually went through the effort of seeing how much it would cost to simply repair my tv. The estimate i got was insanely high (nearly the price of a brand new HD tv of the same size!). Plus, i was responsible for moving the tv to the workshop...



So i just bought myself a new tv... (nice big HD flat screen... oh god it's beautiful.... sniff). I sincerely suggest you do the same. Its not worth the effort...



Besides, tv signals are changing to all digital in 2009... an old TV won't work at this point anyway... So one way or the other, you should probably get a new tv this year... but it seems like you have one more reason to get one soon...



good luck shopping!

Answer 3

what's occurring on your set is basically by the fact the tube heats up the climate amplify and the indoors short gets related. The brightness then is going away simply by short. a sparkling tube isn't properly worth it, yet in many situations the tube might properly be rejuvenated by utilising burning out carbon buildup between the electrodes. It takes a undeniable attempt container and a tech who be conscious of what they are doing. reckoning on the cost, it quite is properly worth it. it quite is not sure to final for any particular length of time - so this is a possibility. i've got seen them final for years and weeks. NOW, while you're attainable and choose to test, you will stumble on a transformer outputting 700V or extra proper (an extraordinarily previous television potential transformer) and connect it around the pins of the tube. First, you need to get the specifications of the tube or hint wires reason you do no longer choose to place that voltage on the warmers. during the different pins is advantageous. maximum in all probability this is heater to cathode. yet attempt others first as that one has the proper likelyhood of frying the tube heater. My tech as quickly as used the 25,000 volt anode voltage of a television to sparkling a obdurate short interior the set. no longer advised. you need to attempt an oil furnace ignition transformer or a neon sign transformer, yet those are 5000 to 15000 volts. basically be conscious and don't fry the carbon from between your ears. A Variac might help to regulate the voltage. stable success.

Answer 4

Yup. It's shot.