Dell W4201C

[bluto]

I have not worked on a plasma before only LCDs. My friend send me this picture of his Dell W4201C with the top half of the screen looking funny. I looked around a little and it seems like it is one of the buffer boards. I am looking for any advice on fixing/replacing the boards. Can this be fixed or is a new board in order? Is it best to replace both buffer boards at the same time?

Thanks for your help.

[tom66]

Re: Dell W4201C

It really requires a new board as usually all the chips on that buffer are dead when it is like that.

[bluto]

Re: Dell W4201C

Yeah I figured as much. I was just watching a yt video where the guy determined which IC was shorted and removed it. But like you say another one on the same board could be waiting to go. So just replace the upper buffer board on this TV since it has not shorted and harmed anything else? And I will check it for bad caps too!

[capkid]

Re: Dell W4201C

Yeah I figured as much. I was just watching a yt video where the guy determined which IC was shorted and removed it. But like you say another one on the same board could be waiting to go. So just replace the upper buffer board on this TV since it has not shorted and harmed anything else? And I will check it for bad caps too!

What Tom was saying is that all the chips appear to be going; there isn't just one chip that is failing. Also, they haven't fully shorted, so you won't be able to detect issues with a meter. This TV appears to use the dreaded LJ92-01200A/LJ92-01202A/LJ92-01203A Y-Sus/buffers combo. I'd personally replace just the upper buffer, since the TV is old. However, your lower or a replacement USED upper could go at any moment in a more catastrophic fashion and take out the Y-Sus.

http://blog.coppelltvrepair.com/2010...according.html

[tom66]

Re: Dell W4201C

Yeah the buffers aren't just shorted as capkid says, they are just bad. When they do that they are selecting more than the current line as they should so the image becomes a sum of multiple lines. I guess something inside them fails consistently.

[bluto]

Re: Dell W4201C

Yeah I get that it is not shorted. It seems like to attempt a chip replacement would have bad ROI and more or less be a game of whack a mole since another one of the chips is probably soon to fail (and could take out the Y-Sus). Here is the video that describes removing and replacing a chip from the buffer board: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hVi5gd0aec

Since the most that I have done is a remove and replace a 16-pin SMD, I think this is a bit out of my league. But interesting and educational none the less. So in this case, since it is the infamous Samsung Y-Sus/buffer trifecta, and the buffer is not shorted the options are to A. Replace only the one buffer that is bad with a used or refurbished buffer. or B. Replace the Y-Sus and the buffers with the kit from coppel_tv that has the newer style buffers with four chips per buffer instead of six. The latter is more expensive but has the best chance being a lasting repair.

[tom66]

Re: Dell W4201C

You will only need to replace one or both buffers. The Y-main can be left as-is.

[capkid]

Re: Dell W4201C

Yeah I get that it is not shorted. It seems like to attempt a chip replacement would have bad ROI and more or less be a game of whack a mole since another one of the chips is probably soon to fail (and could take out the Y-Sus). Here is the video that describes removing and replacing a chip from the buffer board: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hVi5gd0aec

Since the most that I have done is a remove and replace a 16-pin SMD, I think this is a bit out of my league. But interesting and educational none the less. So in this case, since it is the infamous Samsung Y-Sus/buffer trifecta, and the buffer is not shorted the options are to A. Replace only the one buffer that is bad with a used or refurbished buffer. or B. Replace the Y-Sus and the buffers with the kit from coppel_tv that has the newer style buffers with four chips per buffer instead of six. The latter is more expensive but has the best chance being a lasting repair.

IMO, ALL of your chips on that board are bad. You're correct that replacing those chips is an advanced and delicate procedure that I wouldn't consider if you've never done it, especially since you'll have to replace all six chips in this case.

[bluto]

Re: Dell W4201C

Six chips times two boards for a really thorough repair < I would just replace both boards

This would be my formula for success in the given equation considering my skills. But if you are really experienced in SMD re-work, the equation might be different.

I guess wasn't clear about the Y-Sus. Coppel sells a kit with the two newer version buffers and a Y-Sus which is what I was referencing. I guess you could ask them for a better price for just the buffers. That would be more appropriate in this situation.

[capkid]

Re: Dell W4201C

Six chips times two boards for a really thorough repair < I would just replace both boards

This would be my formula for success in the given equation considering my skills. But if you are really experienced in SMD re-work, the equation might be different.

I guess wasn't clear about the Y-Sus. Coppel sells a kit with the two newer version buffers and a Y-Sus which is what I was referencing. I guess you could ask them for a better price for just the buffers. That would be more appropriate in this situation.

Yeah, if I remember correctly, the newer buffers they sell have just four ICs. They more than likely can sell you the buffers separately. I've dealt with them previously, and they're fairly accommodating.