Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

[Sross002]

Hello, I have a Hitachi 42 inch plasmas, model number: HD42S69. I have a 3 inch thick vertical red line, left of center (if your facing the tv) that sporadically appears, but often. I took it to a repair shop. The guy told me that its not the control board and it isn't the display panel, it's a buffer board. He wanted $200 and he said the part is like $60. I figured I can just do it myself, but I don't know where the buffer board he was talking about is? Can you help me locate it? How do I even know what board is causing the issue?

[Sross002]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

Hello, I have a Hitachi 42 inch plasmas, model number: HD42S69. I have a 3 inch thick vertical red line, left of center (if your facing the tv) that sporadically appears, but often. I took it to a repair shop. The guy told me that its not the control board and it isn't the display panel, it's a buffer board. He wanted $200 and he said the part is like $60. I figured I can just do it myself, but I don't know where the buffer board he was talking about is? Can you help me locate it? How do I even know what board is causing the issue?

Here is a picture of the back:

[tom66]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

Your X-buffer is located under here. Looks like you'll have to take a lot of stuff off to get to it.

[Sross002]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

Are you certain that is the issue? Where do you suggest I buy these parts?

[Sross002]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

Your X-buffer is located under here. Looks like you'll have to take a lot of stuff off to get to it.

I was able to locate the part. I can poke it and the red line goes away or flickers. I got the part number as well. But shop jimmy.com is calling it a a-bus r board, not a x buffer board.

[tom66]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

A-BUS = X-buffer (Address buffer)

The problem is simply the connector. Just unplug it and plug it back in. You -may- want to use a little contact cleaner.

Do not make any change with power on!! The power must be off, or you could damage the plasma panel! Damage to the plasma panel is not repairable.

[Sross002]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

A-BUS = X-buffer (Address buffer)

The problem is simply the connector. Just unplug it and plug it back in. You -may- want to use a little contact cleaner.

Do not make any change with power on!! The power must be off, or you could damage the plasma panel! Damage to the plasma panel is not repairable.

Contact Cleaner?

[tom66]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

You can buy a small spray can at local electronics shops. After applying the contact cleaner, wait around 10 minutes for it to dry out before turning the set back on.

[Sross002]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

You can buy a small spray can at local electronics shops. After applying the contact cleaner, wait around 10 minutes for it to dry out before turning the set back on.

Thanks for the quick replies!

Spray the whole board, or just the connectors on the board?

[tom66]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

Just the suspect connector. Spray it on with the connector unplugged.

[Sross002]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

Just the suspect connector. Spray it on with the connector unplugged.

I guess a radio shack would have this cleaner?

[tom66]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

They probably will. Other places like Fry's will stock them, you can also order it online if you are prepared to wait a few days (will cost a lot less too.)

[Sross002]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

They probably will. Other places like Fry's will stock them, you can also order it online if you are prepared to wait a few days (will cost a lot less too.)

Okay, got it!

Here's a picture of it. Can you tell me what connector(s) is causing the issue?

[tom66]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

The four ones on the bottom -- whichever corresponds to the line on the screen.

[Sross002]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

The four ones on the bottom -- whichever corresponds to the line on the screen.

I'm looking at the back of the TV. There are two of these boards. Is my line because of the one on the right (facing back) or the left one?

[tom66]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

Whichever side/connector the line is on. It looks like each connector drives two halves, each half being one sixteenth of the panel.

[Sross002]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

Though I did not clean the connectors, your advice worked! No more red line!
Thank you for all your help.

[Sross002]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

Hello. My red line friend has reappeared but in a different location. Should I perform the same steps or buy a new board?

[tom66]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

Same steps - reseat all connectors. Consider using contact cleaner.

[Lluce]

Re: Vertical Red Line appears on Hitachi Plasma HD42S69

We have this same problem with the very same tv. It's 7 years old. We will follow your advice tomorrow and see if it will help us. We really don't want to buy a new tv!