How many of you fix your own TVs?

[grsthegreat]

Good luck with that. How do you think they get that $700 sale point if not by manufacturing shortcuts? Other than (maybe) a pricey commercial grade washer, that's what you're gonna get.



Wow, you sure seem to have a lot of trouble with appliances. I have a Vizio tv that's probably 5 years old, and I've had zero problems with it. I can't speak for over the air reception since there isn't any here, but it works just fine with either a DVD player or Roku.
I sure wouldn't call it junk, not in the least.

First of all, LG and Samsung units are cheaper than the top of the line GE i purchased, and they both have replaceable bearings and also have a front mounted filter access door. on my unit i have to remove the entire lower compartment to access filter.

As for the Visio, theres a reason there the cheapest tv out there. i only settled on this brand because its the only one that would fit in the credenzas we store tvs in. I have a 6 year old Sony downstairs thats worked flawless since day 1.

 

[k0ua]

ironically the TV I mentioned that is well over 12 years old and so far flawless is a Vizio. I have two other Vizio's and they work fine too. They are 8 and 9 years old.

 

[MossRoad]

nope, already checked. all is clean. and why does it happen on both tvs.

See link I posted about Visio an consumer reports. They don't have a very good rating and/or reputation. My last employer had some of their early attempts at laptop computers. That didn't go over very well, either.

 

[Aquamoose]

Fixed a washer with bad bearings, replaced a magnetron in a microwave, replaced a fuse in a VCR that was discarded, (It was like GOLD having it back in the 80’s living in your dorm at college!) Replaced a bad board in a very nice $4000 double oven that I bought for $300, it goes on. I loved that feeling of being able to fix stuff, not just because it saved you money, it keeps them out of landfills, is good for the environment, but primarily a chest-thumping moment as if I discovered fire.

Thanks to the OP, I’m definitely am going to take a look at this flat tv in our guest room that simply quit working last year but still have it!

(grabbing tool bag & banana)

 

[hawkeye08]

The last Sony I bought from Costco had some issues (60" LCD).. I called Costco, they had someone come out, of course the TV worked fine for them.. but it kept shutting off randomly.. It was annoying to say the least. Long story short, Costco eventually had it replaced and it is still running fine. The new 75" QLED is a Samsung.. so far so good.. too many TVs in the house, hoping when our daughter that is building gets further along a couple can find a home there..

There were a few years where many things electronic ended up having bad capacitors, you could often tell by a cap that was tilted over to one side from the end expanding and pushing it over. Seems China had copied a design and left something out. Our company replaced thousands of computer monitors and power supplies.

 

[grsthegreat]

i fix all of my appliances. have so since a kid and my dad taught me how to repair everything. I used to take everything apart to see hoe it worked. My dad got real mad at me once when he saw the new toaster all in pieces....but i put it back together.

I have a built in monogram refer/freezer thats 48' built in cabinet style. the ice maker thru door quit working about 3-4 years ago. i called monogram service to do the repair as i was swamped at work. they told me its a common problem and would require a new freezer door section..to the toon of nearly $1,500. I told them to skip it. i did online research and found out that theres a computer board in the door behind a few panels. i bought a new board for a little over $30 and replaced it. the unit has worked flawlessly ever since.

I built my own computer desktops and maintain them. but the newer TV's are kind of throw out. Heck, i loved my old computer monitor until it started to have some dead pixels. the repair guys wanted more than a new monitor would cost to repair it. I ended up with a larger, clearer monitor for just a bit over $100.00. And that was 3-4 years ago. still works great

 

[cdaigle430]

The first new TVs I bought about 50 years ago would work for maybe 6 months before they broke and we would take all the tubes out and bring them to the drugstore to test them on their tube tester. Replacing a tube would usually fix the TV for a couple of months till it broke again.

Today, TVs rarely break without outside occurrences causing the damage. My first try at fixing a flat screen TV was last year when a lightning storm made it go off. Removing the back I saw a blown glass fuse which I replaced and all was good again. That beat buying a new TV/DVR player for my camper.

My less than 6 month old Smart TV was damaged last week when lightning struck a pole by my house. Fearing the worst, I removed the back to see how complicated it was and was amazed when it was practically empty inside except for a small circuit board. Since it looked like there was nothing in there to go bad except for the circuit board I checked out prices for a new one on eBay. Only $25 for the new circuit board with no tax and free shipping. It was easier to install than a tail light bulb on my car.

It worked fine after that and I was surprised that they made TVs where any idiot could repair them and yet at a low cost. Years ago I found out that the opposite was true with window air conditioners where even a single switch panel can cost more than the A/C is worth.

View attachment 642779

Sadly-its cheaper to buy new. Can buy a new UHD 4K 65 inch LED TV these days for 400 bucks. Sad for pollution....I only had one lcd\led TV go bad it was a cheap (cheap back in 2005) Polaroid TV. Lasted 5 years....though it out.

That being said I had a Sony XBR 36inch tube (was 1080I capable) weighed 360 awkward pounds...coundnt give it away. had local landfill come get it and they destroyed my stairwell walls getting it out. Sad part is it work perfectly.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have a large picture in picture Mitsubishi I brought with me to the house...

A few years back a friend ask if I could move her TV to the curb... her granddaughter bought her a new flatscreen...

When I arrived asked what is wrong with it and she said nothing... I packed it home and zero issues... Unfortunately she went through 3 flat screens before she passed and the Mitsubishi is still working

 

[ultrarunner]

Just read the history of Zenith... the chassis continued to be hand wired long after most stopped and hand wired equated to longevity at the time. Must be something to it. Just for kicks plugged in 60 year old set and it works... printed circuit boards not well suited to Vacuum Tube tech at the time. Plus many firsts such as HDTV, FM commercial radio, wireless remote, portable transistor radio, car radio 1930’s not needing additional battery or generator

 

[Oaktree]

See link I posted about Visio an consumer reports. They don't have a very good rating and/or reputation. My last employer had some of their early attempts at laptop computers. That didn't go over very well, either.

Never knew they made laptops.
As far as Consumer Reports goes, I've been a subscriber for decades, but tend to take most of their recommendations with a grain of salt...their ratings rarely coincide with my experiences, whether it's electronics, vehicles or whatever.
Still a good resource to know what to look for.