Vizio E601I problems

[Space Cadet]

Hi Folks,

I have a Vizio E601I on the workbench that is having problems. I apologize in advance for the long post, but I would like to provide as much information as possible in hopes that someone can tell me what I'm missing.

I have an o-scope, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, multimeter, etc on the bench, so feel free to ask me for any measurements that may be useful.

History of the television:
It was a victim of a nearby lightning strike approximately 3 weeks ago. The HDMI 1 input was lost, but otherwise the set operated perfectly from the remaining inputs. Last week, the customer stated that the set made a terrible screaching sound and then promptly shut down. It would not power back on after that point.

Yesterday I replaced the power supply board (p/n: 09-60CAP000-00) with a refurbished OEM board, and the set powered up and displayed video, albeit the HDM1 input was still not working (as expected).

I then replaced the main control board (p/n: 1P-012BJ00-4012) in hopes of restoring the HDM1 input functionality. Afterwards, the set would power up with backlight on, but no video displayed. In thinking that perhaps the new control board was bad, I removed it and replaced it with the original board. The results were the same, backlight on but no video display.

At this point I became a bit worried that perhaps the new control board had damaged the new power supply board, so I removed the new p/s board and replaced it with the original. The end result was the same, backlight but nothing else.

Scratching my head at this point, I removed the old p/s board and reinstalled the new board, but not before checking the outputs feeding the rest of the unit...

So, on the original p/s board, I have 3.3v but no regulated 12V source at any of the 12v output pins. Going up the chain, I have 12V going to the 2 FET's but nothing coming out. hmm...?

Plugged the new p/s board in and measured again, no 3.3V or 12V. I have nothing at all in any location close the this portion of the supply...

So, I can't find a schematic, and I'm scratching my head here. Any suggestions? Pics available upon request...

Thanks!
Space Cadet

[Space Cadet]

Re: Vizio E601I problems

Power supply and main control board pics attached

[yoyo]

Re: Vizio E601I problems

Hey Space,
I registered just for you. I have two of these tvs, one was mine, the other was in a neighbors trash.

The Tcon board is the problem on both. Check your serial number as there is a 2 year warranty they extend in a recall for bad chip on the Tcon board. It's on the Vizio service bulletin site or simply Google the problem. They even extended it to the one in the trash that was not mine.

I had to fix the first one myself, so I know the tv pretty well. I tried the power and video board first, but the Tcon was the problem. I ordered one off Ebay for 20$, problem solved. My first one wasnt' even in the recall bunch, but it was the same problem Tcon.

There are only 3 boards, you've replaced two and I'm telling you the one you haven't replaced is most likely the problem.

If your symptoms are backlight on, no video (not even the menu) and sound, it's most likely the Tcon. The audio on is tricky because you can't tell as you have no clue because the input screen cant' be seen. Hook a HDMI device up like a dvd player and scroll through the input until you get sound. You can also hear the static in the speakers with volume up and the unit open (like on your bench).

I hope that helps, better late than never.

[yoyo]

Re: Vizio E601I problems

When you order the Tcon board, make sure it's says "ZG". Supposedly that is the new improved Tcon board without the bad Tcon processing chip.

Another hint, disconnect the cables from the main video board and Tcon board and reattach. I put mine together and half the screen was dark after a little while. I reset the cables and it hasn't given me another problem. This is a first step by the way, but I bet you already tried it.

[Space Cadet]

Re: Vizio E601I problems

Thanks for the response!

Since I began this project, I have acquried an entire "rebuild kit", supposedly from a working set with a cracked panel. The kit includes the power supply board, main control board, timing control board, power button assembly, speakers, all associated wires and cables, etc. Pretty much a whole set minus the panel.

So I have replaced EVERYTHING at this point, but I still am not getting video. Backlight is on, but thats it.

My original TCON board is a "ZG" model, but the replacement is not. I have tried both TCON boards, still no display. I'm sure that I'm overlooking something simple here but I have no idea what!

Any ideas?

[ecking767]

Re: Vizio E601I problems

You have two bad T-CON board, the original board have the correct revision "ZG" and most likely fail, what is the revision of the other replacement T-CON board?

Post a picture of the original t-con board an I can show you where to measure a test point

[benemorius]

Re: Vizio E601I problems

Post a picture of the original t-con board an I can show you where to measure a test point

There are some fairly high-resolution photos here which I've attached for posterity.

I'm working with such a board that's probably bad and I'd appreciate learning whatever troubleshooting insight you had to share in this case. It's a 6 layer board and no datasheets are available for the 3 interesting ICs, so reverse engineering is rather hit-and-miss. Naturally I'm more interested in understanding what failed than in actually repairing the TV, which appears delightfully more common here than elsewhere.