Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

I have TC-P50G25. Originally 10 blink SOS consistently but now 4 blink SOS consistently. I think I may have similar issue as this thread but during power up the Vsus is going high (>240v with spike to @ 280-300 before tv protect mode shutdown) so I believe this is tripping a 4 blink SOS. Found i bad cap on the P card (big 1000uF) and replaced this but still getting same 4 blink SOS. I have been following a Panasonic S-Series 2010 Technical Troubleshooting Guide (closest I could find for my model/year). Looking at 10 blink SOS diagnostic decision tree (pg 76) I get to SC card by unplugging SC2 and getting 7 blink SOS and it appears that Vsus now does not go over 240v.

At this point I really suspect SC but how to know for sure? Vsus does not ohm out short to chassis ground...

I have gotten this far but am wondering at what point I turn it over to a repair center and pay the full diagnostic and repair which I assume will be @$300+ Advice?

One repair center claimed they hate panasonic plasma and that panasonic dropped their tech support page so he can't get info and that they are moving thier parts ordering and he just thinks that my set at 3.5 years is only typically good for 5 years anyway so I should consider it gone and use the repair $ to invest in a new TV.... I paid $1200 for this set and find it hard to swallow tossing at 3.5 years but also don't want a "money pit" if it's longevity days are numbered... Thoughts?

Much thanks for the guidance.

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

OK by joining this and posting I could access the troubleshooting guide for my model. THANK YOU!!! I (we, because I have help) will follow the chart on P27 to unplug SC 20 and see if the code switches to 6 blink = SC card replace or follow other path.

My original questions still stand:

At this point I really suspect SC but how to know for sure? Vsus does not ohm out short to chassis ground...

I have gotten this far but am wondering at what point I turn it over to a repair center and pay the full diagnostic and repair which I assume will be @$300+ Advice?

One repair center claimed they hate panasonic plasma and that panasonic dropped their tech support page so he can't get info and that they are moving thier parts ordering and he just thinks that my set at 3.5 years is only typically good for 5 years anyway so I should consider it gone and use the repair $ to invest in a new TV.... I paid $1200 for this set and find it hard to swallow tossing at 3.5 years but also don't want a "money pit" if it's longevity days are numbered... Thoughts?

Much thanks for the guidance.

[tw2005]

Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

How good is the meter you are using? I'd be amazed if Vsus is getting as high as you say.
Across the 2 pins at Sc2 with the cable removed what resistance do you get?

If you can source a Sc you should be able fix this yourself. the only tricky bit is if your meter is up to the task of resistance testing the SD/SU boards. If you can manage to check them installed that will make your job easier.

You MUST resistance check those otherwise it's russian roulette and although it appears the buffers survive, not always and talking from experience if they have shorted all the $$ spent on a replacement Sc can go up in smoke.

You may have to send your board in for repair, Moduslink had 25% off if you get it in before end of march, i've already posted the info.

So you have no time to waste, with the discount $90 repairing your board.

I don't think i'd spend $300-400 but I would definitely self repair spending $100-150.

If you board swap, keep the old board as a core. I managed to fix 3 of these boards so until either the A board or panel dies, I'll be keeping my50V20A running. The first board failed at about 14months, 2nd board is still running at 18months.


If you're wondering at what point to hand it to a tech, you might as well do it now. You're not going to achieve or save anything by fault finding it yourself if you're ultimate intention is to get it repaired.

If you want to do this as cheap as possible it'll be all you + plenty of help here if you choose.

These pretty much all fail the same. 10 blink/4 blink is standard fare. A 4 blink is detected on the PSU because of a short. If it was a true PSU issue, when you disconnected the SC2 it would have remained. 7 blink is normal for SC2 removed, 6 if SC20 is disconnected and if SC2 was connected again I'd expect the 4 blink to come back.

It may not ohm out as dead short but low resistance will trigger this too.

Unfortunately used boards have dried up. Why?, because the SC blows on these and everyone board swaps but we're startin to see repair services for the boards which is good.

This post is worth reading if you have not already.

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36183

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Thank you for the feedback.

Regarding Vsus voltage high - Not sure of the meter (It's an electrioncs tech where I work, he is "helping" me - the engineer not get into too much trouble with the hands on....) We were monitoring using the Vsus pin on the upper left of the P board. As I just got the troubleshooting manual you loaded I have not checked the SC2 connector "Measure the resistance between pin1 of connector SC2 on the SC board and ground (Chassis)." or do I measure across the 2 pins like you state?

By measuring the SD and SU board resistance I assume you are referring to the process "Vfo, VSCN-F, & 5V_F Resistance Measurements (SU-SD boards)" found on page 43 to check the various resistances using the test points on SD42 and SU 41 with various connectors unplugged.

I called Lifetime Services and because I live in the area they do in home troubleshooting and repair with $90 charge for diagnostic applied to labor if I get repaired. They are willing to order and come with SC board and try and if this is not the fix they will stock it and only charge me the $90. If it works the new board is $170 on top of the labor so total @$300. I can have them test the SD and SU boards also but I will ask my work tech if he wants to try it out when I pick it up later from his house....

I think my original question/concern stand and would like advice on the risk. Is it worth it to put $300 into a 3.5 year old TV or put this $300 towards a new replacement TV. Thoughts?

FWIW I really appreciate the help provided!!!!

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Ok getting new results....
short checks on pg 8 with no shorts ~ all resistances over 1k

On to pg 27 4 blink SOS tree - disconnected sc20 and still have 4 blinks

Followed process of power cycle and monitored pin 9 of P7 and 3v present = replace P board.

I guess following the s series manual fooled me and following this manual points at P board.

Does this sound correct?

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

P.s. Using better meter and other meter was in auto scale so 280 v on Vsus was really 280 mv. Duh! :-p

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Just for kicks we went through the buffer boards per slide 43 and got the same results as Andrew Nelles as follows from your other referenced thread: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36183

"Checked both buffer boards as directed by the document you mentioned. All resistance values near SU41 and SD42 were near what was listed. Definitely far from a short.

TPSU16 and TPSD28 were both around 220K

The rest were all a few meg ohms. A few with creeping values.

Only hitch I found, TPSU18, wasn't registering as a ground. I ended up measuring off the metal surrounding the screw point."

I am wondering if I have the same issue as Andrew that SC2/Vsus does not read short to gnd but problem is still the SC board.... Maybe I'm the 2-nd case of this except I still have 4 SOS blinks with only SC20 disconnected.... Or did this just add the SC to the P board to get 4 blink and then isolating by SC2 removed gives 7 blink SOS proving P board is actually OK?

We also monitored Vsus properly and was stable around 210v without SC card (P2 unplugged) but with SC card plugged in it went to basically 0 volts (280mV -> 0 volts)

Again thaks for reading this and providing your thoughts....

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

I may have answered my question on pg 61 with the correct codes with connectors removed tables:
Correct: SC2 removed = 7 and SC20 removed = 6
I got: SC2 removed = 7 and SC20 removed = 4

In this case 6 blinks should have meant replace SC and 4 blink led me to check pin 9 P7 and this was 3 volt = replace P board. Is this decision tree correct?

hhmmmm... it's getting late and I'm thinking about / fixating on this too much (especially according to my wife....)

Main concern now is replacing whatever is wrong is there still some longevity left in this TV????

[tw2005]

Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

I may have answered my question on pg 61 with the correct codes with connectors removed tables:
Correct: SC2 removed = 7 and SC20 removed = 6
I got: SC2 removed = 7 and SC20 removed = 4

In this case 6 blinks should have meant replace SC and 4 blink led me to check pin 9 P7 and this was 3 volt = replace P board. Is this decision tree correct?

hhmmmm... it's getting late and I'm thinking about / fixating on this too much (especially according to my wife....)

Main concern now is replacing whatever is wrong is there still some longevity left in this TV????

There's no real answer for logevity as any part could fail at any time.

Is the flow charts correct, well yes and no. I never had that guide when I fixed mine but following to the letter it is a little inaccurate with regards to anything less than 1K is bad. Whilst that may be ok for say the 15v line it's not correct for SC2.

If you read the post I linked you'll see why, generally Sc2 goes dead short but not always. Your Sc will be bad and having the 4 blinks disappear once Sc2 is removed is a clear indication that the load on vsus is too great from the SC board. You could check Q661 and see if it's shorted or check all the transistors on the heatsinks. You will find some of these are bad.

Don't replace the PSU.

I missed the bit where you said you tested the buffer boards with resistances as correct. if that is the case either get another SC board or get it repaired and self install it.

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

I guess last questions:

Why did I get 4 blink with sc20 removed instead of expected 6 blink if bad sc card? I guess maybe because already followed procedure for a Vsus etc short but I didn't get dead short...

There are notes about loading new firmware after sc or ss board change. How, what, where, why, what if not done?

Thanks a bunch!!!!

[tw2005]

Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

I guess last questions:

Why did I get 4 blink with sc20 removed instead of expected 6 blink if bad sc card? I guess maybe because already followed procedure for a Vsus etc short but I didn't get dead short...

There are notes about loading new firmware after sc or ss board change. How, what, where, why, what if not done?

Thanks a bunch!!!!

SOS4 is a PSU fault detection. You got 4 instead of 6 because the resistance at SC2 is too low and with 200v going to it the PSU is seeing it as a short even though you don't have a dead short resistance should be at least 300K ohms. I'll guarantee yours is low similar to the other post I linked and maybe only a few kohms.

You have a failed SC board

You'd have to tell me where you're seeing update the firmware, I'm not aware of it although there was a newer firmware update late last year but no mention of it being for board issues.

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Thanks!

Firmware update is note at bottom of p27 or note at bottom whenever they say change sc or ss boards....

[tw2005]

Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Thanks!

Firmware update is note at bottom of p27 or note at bottom whenever they say change sc or ss boards....

Bugger me, never noticed that, probably because I've never used the guide and fixed mine without it. I know this one like the back of my hand virtually because i have the same generation TV.

Well I have upgraded the firmware on mine but is it a special firmware for this issue or just hidden with the other upgrades?

That I don't know and only an authorised repairer probably has access to that info.

The TV searches for firmware over the air although I honestly don't think that works here but might where you are. You won't know until you get this running to find out if it's up to date or not.

So you have tested the buffers and resistance was good? yes/no?

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Yes. Post # 27 above. I think I am going to call the service company and pay them the $90 to install and check out, firmware etc and I did have a blown 1000uF 230v cap on the p board (upper right corner) but put in a 250v ~850uF to replace because did not have the right size on hand... I will ask company to bring correct size and replace while their at it.

I fell pretty confident at this point but my wife is definitely "let it go and let someone who does this for a living do this!" For family peace $90 labor is a small price and I can still have satisfaction that I educated myself & trouble shot this correctly with some great help from you!

[tw2005]

Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Yes. Post # 27 above. I think I am going to call the service company and pay them the $90 to install and check out, firmware etc and I did have a blown 1000uF 230v cap on the p board (upper right corner) but put in a 250v ~850uF to replace because did not have the right size on hand... I will ask company to bring correct size and replace while their at it.

I fell pretty confident at this point but my wife is definitely "let it go and let someone who does this for a living do this!" For family peace $90 labor is a small price and I can still have satisfaction that I educated myself & trouble shot this correctly with some great help from you!

Well, my Mrs is still screaming for me to put the back on mine . TOM66 reckons I'm killing the HAM operators with no shield.

How sure are you that cap was bad? Any chance of a picture? Rare to find bad electrolytics as panasonic uses top brands. So it was popped open?

yeah, well it's unfortunate because potentially you could have got that board in and repaired this for about $100. I would try to determine if the buffers are ok. there's always a chance they may refuse to warrant the SC unless they do the buffers as well.

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Cap was mushroom up and out of board only read 23uF. A new board is $170 so what's another 90 to let them install and then I get warranty (although short) for parts and labor....

Yeah your emi might be driving some people crazy... Put your set on a timer and they'll really wonder about the time pattern..

[tw2005]

Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Cap was mushroom up and out of board only read 23uF. A new board is $170 so what's another 90 to let them install and then I get warranty (although short) for parts and labor....

Yeah your emi might be driving some people crazy... Put your set on a timer and they'll really wonder about the time pattern..

Ok, well that's something a little out of character but I guess there can alway be the odd one that fails early unless this Tv has megahours on it but i think the oldest Tv I've had was 10000hrs and no blown caps.

[tw2005]

Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Actually I have 2 mains and a PSU for this model from the initial repair. Would you believe i got a complete board set for around $100 from the US delivered 18months ago. new TV damaged in transit.

Things have changed a bit now for parts used.

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

Wow! That really is awesome! You can totally frankenstein along unless your screen goes bad....

Yeah I could tell parts are in short supply and I am a little nervous about repaired boards in case of latent "walking wounded" issues still in the board.... I just want a reliable set and not a project....

I just made my service appointment for Monday for them to do initial analysis and estimate.

They will decide if they will preorder new SC board today based on my (our) analysis or wait for their own tech analysis. Naturally they want to go on their own analysis because they are on the hook for analysis, estimate and warranty....

I advised them I will need new Cap and firmware update if repaired.

Maybe in the end I can sell my old SC board to a repair house as a core unless they need it for a core charge....

I will update the status/outcome....

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Re: Panasonic TC-P50GT25 Power Indicator blinks 4 then 10 times

OK so TV repair tech today.

As suspected: TV had a new twist in that it did not present as typical SC board since not shorted or low resistance but Vsus voltage @205 v with SC NOT plugged in was at 0v when plugged in. Tech called panasonic and they confirmed diagnosis of SC board. SD and SU boards checked out OK.

Labor will be a little more than anticipated but I went with tech replacing because they warranty and if the SC board does not fix or if anything else wrong with the picture when fired it up they were willing to remove new SC board and stop with initial payment. A little money for insurance that the fix gets the TV back to acceptable standards and then hope this is the only fix needed for a while (hopefully this TV was worth $300+ to fix and lasts for some years....).

The part is on order (3-5 days) so I will post the final outcome.