Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

[jetadm123]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

You can start by checking the fuses. However, the bigger question is how did grounding the vga connector housing, while you were checking the main cap, cause the logic board to short out? I usually don't say this, but you've had problems on top of problems (now it's the logic board) and this may be a good time to stop because this monitor may be beyond repair.

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

I replaced the two metal caps with ones that I took off an old Dell motherboard. Didn't replace the other one.

However, I was testing the DC across the big cap on the power board that I haven't replaced yet. I guess I didn't ground something properly because when the metal part of the VGA connector touched the metal of the housing that the boards sit in - there was a little puff of smoke from the logic board. I can't figure out exactly where because there are no burn marks.

I reassembled everything and plugged it in, and now have no power whatsoever. The little LEd light doesn't even come on. Any idea what blew?

[jetadm123]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

I'd like to replace the metal capacitors on the logic board as you suggested. There are two marked:

100
16V
L7C

and one marked:

q3
330j
WZ

Would I replace the first two with regular 100uf16V caps similar to the ones on the power board?

I can't find the fuse that you are referring too marked "FXX". I've checked both the inverter board on the LCD panel itself, as well as the logic board.

You could use the same low-esr caps that you used on the power board. The original metal caps are surface mount and are soldered on the top of the board. You'll have to bend the leads of the new caps at a 90 degree angle to get them to fit properly.

I believe the 330j cap is 330uf with +/- 5% tolerance. As for voltage rating, maybe also 16V? You can always measure the voltage across that cap before you remove it.

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

It jsut occured to me what you mean by "FXX". I've identified the fuse marked "F1". A little white thing with a "3" on it. A continuity check shows that it is good.

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

I'd like to replace the metal capacitors on the logic board as you suggested. There are two marked:

100
16V
L7C

and one marked:

q3
330j
WZ

Would I replace the first two with regular 100uf16V caps similar to the ones on the power board?

I can't find the fuse that you are referring too marked "FXX". I've checked both the inverter board on the LCD panel itself, as well as the logic board.

[jetadm123]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

This is the board that is at the other end of the ribbon cable in question. The fuse should look like a small surface mount resistor and marked FXX on the board. Usually the board will be exposed and covered by a thin sheet of plastic or under a metal cover.

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

Is this fuse on the inverter board on the panel raised off the panel and round with a "100" on it?

BTW, i have no picture now since I started messing with the LVDS cables. All I get are a lot of multi-colored vertical stripes.

[alexanna]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

Well, I am aware that this forum is mostly about bad caps. But now that I've replaced them I am convinced that I have a bad LVDS cable going to the LCD panel. (it too me two freaking days to figure out what the cable was even called).

Does anyone here know where I can get a replacement LVDS cable? I've spent hours searching eBay, using Google, went to Mouser, etc. There are vendors that will sell individual LVDS cables for specific monitors. Usually in the $40 - 60 price range. But not for Westinghouse who don't even appear to make monitors anymore.

Can one buy this stuff by the foot and learn how to shave the ends? Any other options that you can think of?

The LVDS cable to the LCD panel is 55 conductor 5 3/4" X 1 1/8"
The LVDS cable to the control buttons is 15 conductor: 14" X 5/8"

There are no connectors at the ends. The cable simply slips into the female connector soldered to the board.

Try Gateway Electronics St. Louis Mo. 800-669 5810.They have bulk ribbon cable.There on line site most likley will not list it,you will have to make the call.

[jetadm123]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

1) When you did a reset, you say the monitor went almost all white. IF it's all white with no picture, then there is a surface mount fuse on the LCD panel control board (circuit board at the top of the LCD panel that spans almost the entire width of the panel) that could be blown.

2) I have yet to see anyone successfully use a new ribbon cable with the old connector. VERY difficult to do something like that.

3) If you are still getting some type of image, one thing I would try is replacing the 3 metal caps on the logic board. One was stamped 100uf @ 16V. I couldn't read the other two. You can use the same type of low-esr caps that you used on the power board. I can't back up what I'm saying, but they are on the video/logic board, which could be the cause of your problems. It's a low cost try before attempting to mess around with the ribbon cable.

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

Well, I am aware that this forum is mostly about bad caps. But now that I've replaced them I am convinced that I have a bad LVDS cable going to the LCD panel. (it too me two freaking days to figure out what the cable was even called).

Does anyone here know where I can get a replacement LVDS cable? I've spent hours searching eBay, using Google, went to Mouser, etc. There are vendors that will sell individual LVDS cables for specific monitors. Usually in the $40 - 60 price range. But not for Westinghouse who don't even appear to make monitors anymore.

Can one buy this stuff by the foot and learn how to shave the ends? Any other options that you can think of?

The LVDS cable to the LCD panel is 55 conductor 5 3/4" X 1 1/8"
The LVDS cable to the control buttons is 15 conductor: 14" X 5/8"

There are no connectors at the ends. The cable simply slips into the female connector soldered to the board.

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

I haven't got the patience nor a steady enough hand. I'd like to just replace the cable if I knew where to find one:-)

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

Well since the problem manifests itself in the panel, you should check the one that goes to the panel. If you got the patience, grab a multimeter and check each line for continuity.

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

Any idea where I can get a replacement ribbon cable? And better yet ... what exactly am I looking for? There are two ribbon cables in this monitor. One I think is 50 pins going to the LCD panel from the logic board (32-D021705). The other is 15 pins going from the logic board to the control buttons (32-D021698). The model numbers are on sticky tape on the cable, and I don't know if that is proprietary to that monitor or is some standard numbering system used for ribbon cables.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

Logic board, ribbon cable to panel, or worst case, the panel itself. Try the ribbon cable first.

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

A little more info since my last post. I finally found the manual for this monitor online. I was able to reset the monitor to factory default settings (which is what I used when I first got the monitor).

The display went almost completely white. Does anyone have any inclination as to what is going on here? Is this an electronic component issue, or is the LCD panel itself failing? I spent an hour searching for symptoms of a failing LCD panel with no luck. And I'm a pretty damn good researcher.

Cheers,
David

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

I tried in on my wife's Dell desktop PC which uses a Dell LCD monitor. The display remained the same.

[retiredcaps]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

I rec'd and installed all the caps with Panasonic except for the big one. I expect that one to arrive in the next few days.

Other than replacing the big cap, did you try another VGA cable or another source to rule out those as suspects?

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

I rec'd and installed all the caps with Panasonic except for the big one. I expect that one to arrive in the next few days.

The flickering seems to have disappeared from the display, but the colors are still washed out. This happens as soon as the monitor is powered on.

I've tried adjusting colors, brightness, etc. with the buttons on the side of the monitor as there does not seem to be a way to make adjustments using the laptop with a VGA connection. I have ordered a DVI-D to HDMI cable from Amazon which I hope will allow me to use the controls offered by the AMD M880G with ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200 in the laptop.

I have a feeling that adjusting the controls is not the issue. Anyone got any other ideas?

Cheers,
David

[DavidTomen]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

That I am.

[jetadm123]

Re: Westinghouse Monitor Fading Colors

Thanks for the advice on the multimeters. I'll be ordering the caps today and report back once those arrive and are installed.

Cheers,
David

Make sure you order low-esr caps.