Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

[robotgeek]

I have a Vizio VF550XVT1A that I bought about 3 years ago. However, when I turn on the TV, images display just fine initially. However, after some time [15 minutes] the screen starts flickering and then becomes garbled completely. see pictures [http://imgur.com/a/ePBQZ]

I can turn the TV off, and turn it back on immediately, the picture is fine for about 30 seconds before it starts flickering and then gets garbled again.

I took the TV apart today. I turned the TV on, and tried to cool each of the boards when the problem occured. This however did not fix the display problem.

I did notice that the display was getting distorted every 10 seconds, on the dot. When the screen distorted, I heard a very low hum/buzzing sound. This seem to occur near both boards on the left and right sides. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/venkatr...631579229966/]

I am trying to fix this myself. However, I do not know what is wrong or where to start. I was hoping for some help getting started. I am comfortable with taking things apart and soldering stuff together.

[tom66]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

It looks to me, personally, like a t-con fault.*The fading is what makes me think it is the issue. It's going to be either main board or t-con, and t-con is where I would put my money on.

You didn't mention - does sound get messed up?
When it's going crazy can you turn it off via remote control?
Does the picture move with the funky lines or stay frozen?

You would be looking to HEAT up a board to see if it malfunctions quicker when heated.

[robotgeek]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

The sound plays normally when the screen gets frozen.

The TV can be turned off via remote control when the badness happens.

When the problem is beginning to develop, the screen will switch between being normal to all the white pixels being drawn in a column. Once it goes completely bad, it stays bad.

I did try to heat up the boards using a hair dryer, no effect.

[tom66]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

Can you post a picture of inside your TV? The t-con is sometimes hidden behind framing so difficult to heat up.

[robotgeek]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

http://flic.kr/p/dcpDuh is a picture of the insides.

[tom66]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

The t-con is that board on the top of the screen under the metal shield. You'll need to remove the shield and then try heating it.

[robotgeek]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

I've added an annotation to the image. Is this is board that I am supposed to heat up after taking off the shield? [http://www.flickr.com/photos/venkatr...n/8005376356/]

[tom66]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

That's it.

[robotgeek]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

I finally took the shield off and tried to heat up the board. No effect. After 15 minutes, same badness happens. I tried to cool the board when this happened. No effect.

I then removed the bottom connectors to the TCON board. The display went blank, and no distortion was visible and no hum was heard. So, I installed them back in place.

Then I removed the ribbon connectors. Again, no distortion was visible, and no hum was heard. So, I put only one side in - surprisingly the display cleared up. I put the other side in after removing the side I had just in. The display was clear for a long time before starting to flickr. I've attached pictures of the same in the album

(http://flic.kr/s/aHsjCbsqL7)

Does this identify the TCon board as defective? Any other tests I can do?

[Mr Bill]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

So the one side of the screen was perfect when the 1 ribbon cable going to the panel was connected and when you swapped the ribbon for the other side it wass good too for a while then the display went bad? If this is the case then i would agree the tcon is a likely culprit.

[robotgeek]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

So, I ordered a new TCON board and installed it. No dice. Exactly same behavior.

I've added new pictures with the TCON board in place. I also took new set of pictures ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/venkatr...57631579229966 ) along with the picture of the main input board (not sure what the correct name is)

I took care this time to take pictures with the menu displayed. Also I noticed that the screen only messes up in the areas where text/graphics are displayed. See last picture for demonstration of this. [White text has white line, red has pinkish line etc]

I still here a low hum/buzz when the picture goes bad.

{Edit: Forgot to mention that the audio is fine when the picture goes bad}

Any suggestions on what to check next?

[robotgeek]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

I also forgot to mention that this buzz or the display going bad happens precisely every 10 seconds.

[aseidner]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

I also forgot to mention that this buzz or the display going bad happens precisely every 10 seconds.

Hi I have the same issue with my TV and I am a VIZIO repair person, I have a good working Mother Board and Power Supply and I get the same thing you do. I replaced the TCON but I still think it is a ribbon cable going to the screen. But while is on I unplug the ribbon from the Tcon to the display (the smaller one right one) and BANG the left side is 1/2 PERFECT BLUE and then I reconnect the right cable and I get a blue picture but there is about 3 inches from the bottom is bad and Paints line buy line to the bottom, but there are lines just like yours.
I do think it is eather the ribbon from the Tcon to the LCD or the LCD itself...
Any body know anything else?

Alan

[NathanGJedi]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

I have one of these with a fuzzy screen that fixes itself after about 10 minutes. After a cursory examination nothing looks bulging or blown and everything else seems to work fine. Did you ever solve this problem conclusively?

[Chicd]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

I have a vf550 doing same. Attached a dvd and it popped on Ok....ran the entire movie no problem...powered down, only has vertical lines now when powered up.
T Con?

[dick_barton]

Re: Need Help with Vizio VF550XVT1A Display Problems

Picture of the fault would be more informative and help others to help you.