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Bad Tuner?

C

Chris F.

Jan 1, 1970
0
Got this 32" Sony right now, don't have the model # handy but it's a '99
model. Nothing but snow with a few barely visible lines, looks like it's
trying to tune something in but not succeeding. A/V input works fine. The
customer was not in possesion of it when it quit, so they aren't sure if it
was hit by lightning or not.
To confirm that the tuner was bad, I first checked all supply voltages to
the tuner - all were perfect. I then injected a signal into the IF output of
the tuner - this produced a good solid image. That probably confirms a bad
tuner, but I want to be absolutely sure before I replace it (a replacement
runs about $150). I don't have a lot of experience with tuners because
customers seldom ever bother to have them replaced.
So have I diagnosed this properly? Or is there anything else I should
check?
Thanks for any advice.
 
T

Tom MacIntyre

Jan 1, 1970
0
Got this 32" Sony right now, don't have the model # handy but it's a '99
model. Nothing but snow with a few barely visible lines, looks like it's
trying to tune something in but not succeeding. A/V input works fine. The
customer was not in possesion of it when it quit, so they aren't sure if it
was hit by lightning or not.
To confirm that the tuner was bad, I first checked all supply voltages to
the tuner - all were perfect. I then injected a signal into the IF output of
the tuner - this produced a good solid image. That probably confirms a bad
tuner, but I want to be absolutely sure before I replace it (a replacement
runs about $150). I don't have a lot of experience with tuners because
customers seldom ever bother to have them replaced.
So have I diagnosed this properly? Or is there anything else I should
check?
Thanks for any advice.

It does seem that your tuner is bad...maybe check into getting a
rebuilt tuner, and get the refund for your own tuner? Does anyone
still do that?

Tom
 
C

Chris F.

Jan 1, 1970
0
There used to be a company called Metro Tuner Service that did such work,
they did great work and at a very reasonable price. Sadly, they too have
been driven out of business by the declining industry. I don't know of
anyone who still rebuilds tuners - after all, how many customers bother
having them replaced anymore? Just another sign of the times I guess.
$150 for a tuner is fine as long as the customer doesn't mind footing the
bill. I wish all customers were so obliging.
If anyone can tell me someone who still rebuilds tuners, I'd appreciate it
very much. I have a 27" CTC-146 RCA in a solid oak cabinet that I still
intend to repair....
 
M

Marcel Beysselance

Jan 1, 1970
0
Chris said:
Got this 32" Sony right now, don't have the model # handy but it's a '99
model. Nothing but snow with a few barely visible lines, looks like it's
trying to tune something in but not succeeding. A/V input works fine. The
customer was not in possesion of it when it quit, so they aren't sure if it
was hit by lightning or not.
To confirm that the tuner was bad, I first checked all supply voltages to
the tuner - all were perfect. I then injected a signal into the IF output of
the tuner - this produced a good solid image. That probably confirms a bad
tuner, but I want to be absolutely sure before I replace it (a replacement
runs about $150). I don't have a lot of experience with tuners because
customers seldom ever bother to have them replaced.
So have I diagnosed this properly? Or is there anything else I should
check?
Thanks for any advice.
Some Sony TV use tuners compatible with Philips Tuners. There are cheaper.
UV916 Philips replace some Sony tuners made in Spain


--
 
T

Tim Schwartz

Jan 1, 1970
0
Chris,

First, let me warn you that I'm an audio servicer, not a TV guy.

Several years ago, I had the same problem with my own Sony KV-20TS27
(1991 vintage). A friend of mine who works on TV's all the time had me
remove the tuner and resolder lots of grounds, especially the ones made
by fitting the outer shields on the tuner block. It seems that Sony (or
the tuner mfg.) relied on the bent metal tabs going to pins coming up
from the PC board to make some important grounds. Soldering them made
the covers (shields) much harder to remove if you needed to, but did fix
the tuner.

I have no idea if this will apply to your 1999 vintage set, though he
indicated that it was a common problem in the tuners Sony used.

Regards,
Tim Schwartz
Bristol Electronics
 
You might want to try TipTopTuner.com to see if they can repair yours.
I have used them before and found them to be quite good. They only
charge $27.00
John
 
C

Chris F.

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thanks for that link, it's nice to know that someone out there still
rebuilds tuners, and for a decent price.
 
D

Dave Plowman (News)

Jan 1, 1970
0
Got this 32" Sony right now, don't have the model # handy but it's a
'99 model. Nothing but snow with a few barely visible lines, looks like
it's trying to tune something in but not succeeding. A/V input works
fine. The customer was not in possesion of it when it quit, so they
aren't sure if it was hit by lightning or not. To confirm that the tuner
was bad, I first checked all supply voltages to the tuner - all were
perfect. I then injected a signal into the IF output of the tuner - this
produced a good solid image. That probably confirms a bad tuner, but I
want to be absolutely sure before I replace it (a replacement runs about
$150). I don't have a lot of experience with tuners because customers
seldom ever bother to have them replaced. So have I diagnosed this
properly? Or is there anything else I should check?

Wonder if the aerial socket has been knocked or pulled sideways and broken
the PCB? Sony have a habit of doing this with the BNC connections on some
of their pro monitors rather than supporting it mechanically as well.
 
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