LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

[darkmatter13]

So i have a LG 50PA6500 Plasma 50".
i took it off the wall and it fell over when i set it up without paying attention. As the title says, there is no picture only sound. No menu, just a black screen.
I took the back panel off to see if anything got knocked loose and i see nothing.
All the heat sinks are warm to the touch so im assuming they arent fried. From my research no one has the same issue i do. they were watching the display and heard a popping noise usually resulting in a bad cap. The TV is still under warranty, but i bought the TV off Craigslist awhile back and cannot get a hold of the person to get a receipt. LG customer service wont service the TV unless i can display a receipt.

[tom66]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

Does the TV make a loud buzzing sound?
The panel could still be damaged on the edge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iAm82lhky4&t=1m10s

[darkmatter13]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

The TV, when powered on makes quiet buzzing noises from the sustain board and the ZSUS board. but you cannot hear it unless your ear is kinda close.

[tom66]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

OK, that may be normal then. The buzzing sounds like rapid tapping or electrical arcing, see the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iAm82lhky4&t=1m10s

There's an LED, D101, on the plasma panel control board (3rd pic.) Does this blink or light in any way?

In a dark room, any glow from the screen at all -- may be very faint on new plasmas (good contrast ratio.) If you see some glow, 99% sure plasma panel is OK.

[darkmatter13]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

yes it blinks green, no glow at all :/ should i try taking off the trim around the panel to look for cracks?

[tom66]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

Blinking green usually indicates control board is functioning. However, the connectors going to the respective boards could have come loose. If they have, then that would explain no light. So, try to reseat them. A malfunctioning Y-sustain can cause no light emission too.

Generally the panel will buzz when it is cracked. I've only seen TVs with screens that were completely smashed (like someone went at it with a golf club -- what some people do to nice electronics makes me very sad) that don't buzz. I guess if the electrode structure is completely missing, it could happen... but I wouldn't expect that from a simple drop or fall.

What equipment do you have? Multimeter?

[darkmatter13]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

thank you for your quick replies, i will try unplugging and replugging all connectors, i do indeed have a multimeter.

[darkmatter13]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

Blinking green usually indicates control board is functioning. However, the connectors going to the respective boards could have come loose. If they have, then that would explain no light. So, try to reseat them. A malfunctioning Y-sustain can cause no light emission too.

Generally the panel will buzz when it is cracked. I've only seen TVs with screens that were completely smashed (like someone went at it with a golf club -- what some people do to nice electronics makes me very sad) that don't buzz. I guess if the electrode structure is completely missing, it could happen... but I wouldn't expect that from a simple drop or fall.

What equipment do you have? Multimeter?

UPDATE: after applying tiny pressure on any part of the frame or screen in the corner it buzzes (not loud like the video) but it stops when i tap the trim

[tom66]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

I don't know what that means... I've only seen a few cracked panels. I do think a cracked plasma panel is sadly the most likely cause. They are very fragile and thin on the edges.

Regarding warranty you should still be able to get service from LG. They probably want the receipt to prove the date of manufacture but you have the serial number and usually date of manufacture is written on the label.

[darkmatter13]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

after pulling the cover the cover glass off and scanning the panel there is ZERO flaws that i see. I already called LG and they asked for a receipt, can i still call and try again saying i lost it?

[tom66]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

It is your best bet to call them -- just say you lost the receipt. How many customers keep the receipts? If there are no cracks my suspect would be the Y-sustain. Specifically a solder joint may have fractured or cracked.

[darkmatter13]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

they are saying service technician has to see sales receipt or they will bill me and not LG? im on hold now

[darkmatter13]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

It is your best bet to call them -- just say you lost the receipt. How many customers keep the receipts? If there are no cracks my suspect would be the Y-sustain. Specifically a solder joint may have fractured or cracked.

They would not honor a warranty repair without a receipt.

I know they bought the TV at big lots, is there anyway i can call them and get a receipt just off the serial number and when they purchased it? Or are they going to make me give names, what the TV was purchased with, etc.

[Mr Bill]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

I don't know if Big Lots would keep that kind of information when they sell something since they are a closeout store. Best Buy, HH Greg do take the serial numbers and your information. Are you not the original owner of this tv?

[darkmatter13]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

No, in the original post i stated i bought the TV off Craigslist.

[tom66]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

Huh. I do not know then. So, do you want to repair it yourself? Remove the Y-sustain and inspect it for cold solder joints, they look like this:
http://home.comcast.net/~jcoxdesigns...p/IMG_8739.jpg

[darkmatter13]

Re: LG 50PA6500 dropped on carpet, no crack. Only getting sound no picture now?

Update, I got ahold of the person I bought it from to try and get a receipt. But I swear she's like a meth head. She claims she is going to help me get a receipt. But then doesn't answer my texts or calls. I told her if she isn't going to help me that ill Leave her alone. All I want is a simple update on the situation. She keeps making up crap about her sister who bought the TV is brain dead or something. It's seriously frustrating.