Magnavox 42mf231d/37 plasma problems

[v8focus1]

Hello all, I've been reading through some of your solutions for the Magnavox plasma tvs (model 42mf231d) but my problem does not seem to be like any of the others. I bought the tv from a friend a year and a half ago. It hardly gets used. The other night I was watching tv and the screen went pixelated and then dark. Audio is perfect and the occasional multicolored pixel type blotches in the screen flicker. It never shuts off, the blue light stays on. I've checked for the bad capacitors like others, I've checked for bad fuses, I did the voltage tests and they all are right on the money with the specs on the sticker inside. I've checked connectors, looked and smelled for anything burnt but have come up empty. Is it possible the screen has gone bad? Thanks for your input!

Ian

[sam_sam_sam]

Re: Magnavox 42mf231d/37 plasma problems

How old is the set is there a date stamp on it

If has the crappy caps in it and more than few years old maybe you should recap it

make sure you LOOK at the bottom of the caps to if they pop from there as well as the top of the cap

If you do not see any thing then you need a dvm and start looking open or short parts

I am sure there are people on this forum that would be glad to help

[rayrod81]

Re: Magnavox 42mf231d/37 plasma problems

Bad Y-main and buffer boards. Common failure on this tv.

[v8focus1]

Re: Magnavox 42mf231d/37 plasma problems

The set was mfg in july of 2006. Parts are getting in short supply for these because of all the problems. Is anyone repairing these boards? Does anyone know the part that's failing and causing the problem to begin with so it can be delt with before it fails again?

[PlainBill]

Re: Magnavox 42mf231d/37 plasma problems

The set was mfg in july of 2006. Parts are getting in short supply for these because of all the problems. Is anyone repairing these boards? Does anyone know the part that's failing and causing the problem to begin with so it can be delt with before it fails again?

There is an extensive discussion of the TVs built around this plasma panel on the Coppell TV repair blog. The pertinent information starts in roughly March, 2010.

This same TV has been discussed in other threads. A simple search would have found the information.

In a nutshell, the buffer ICs degrade over time. Eventually one will short. When that happens it causes a transistor in the Y-sustain to short, and possibly also damages the other buffer.

The expensive repair is to replace both buffers and the Y-sustain. The inexpensive repair is to replace all buffer ICs on both buffers, as well as the shorted transistor on the Y-sustain, and test the Y-sustain for other problems. The last time I checked, rebuilt boards are available on eBay. In any case, with 42" plasma TVs available for under $500, spending over $200 to repair a 5 year old set doesn't make sense.

PlainBill

[v8focus1]

Re: Magnavox 42mf231d/37 plasma problems

I read about other problems but didnt see anything involving the light show that I had going on. I agree with not spending too much on this old of a unit especially with all the problems they have. Next issuse is what to do with this non working tv? Seems like a waste to take it for scrap but pointless to try to ship it. Thanks for your help!