Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

[momo2000]

I have a Vizio e55-c1 that is 23 months old. Today I went to power it on, and nothing. Upon further investigation, I notice that the “standby” light was not on. However, I notice that the USB drive that I had plugged into it (to show some pictures) is glowing (the USB drive is one of those that has a light that turns on when you plug into a USB port). Strange. I unplug the TV and plug it back in and here is what happens: The “standby” light comes on, for about 2 seconds, and then fades out and goes off over the following 2 seconds. I tried this repeatedly leaving it unplugged anywhere from 1 min to 3 hours and the result is the same . . . standby light on for 2 seconds, and then it fades out. I have tried to power the TV on at various times, but of course nothing happens.

This just “feels” like a power supply issue, but not really sure. I do a little with electronics (I know the basic components and can test a few things) and have a soldering iron and multi-meter. I'm not in a big hurry, and think it might be fun project for me. And I just hate to throw this in the trash ;0

I see the “LCD TV and Monitor basic troubleshooting guides” that BUDM has posted. I have not tried any of the tests yet, but it looks like section #1. “The power supply module” would be a very good place to start.

QUESTION: Does the standby light coming on (for 2 seconds) when I plug it in, then fading to off (in the next 2 seconds) give a clue to move in any other direction, or point to the power supply even more strongly? Just looking for the right steps for this curious amateur to start. Thanks!

[CapLeaker]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

Pretty easy. With the back off the TV, plug the TV in, while measuring the STBY voltage with you DMM set to DC V at the PSU. See if it disappears. We are going to need some high resolution, straight shot pictures of your PSU and main board.

[momo2000]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

Thanks, CapLeaker. Happy to be your 3,000th post!!!!! OK, thanks for the advice/direction. I'll get that done over the next 5-10 days (I had to leave town) and will report back my results here. Thanks so much.

[SLK001]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

The "standby" light is supposed to act that way. Use a flashlight to see if you have a picture, but no backlight. If you have a picture, see this post: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53880

It is for an earlier model of this TV, but it might still be applicable.

[momo2000]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

The "standby" light is supposed to act that way. Use a flashlight to see if you have a picture, but no backlight. If you have a picture, see this post: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53880

It is for an earlier model of this TV, but it might still be applicable.

You say the standby light is supposed to act that way. Are you sure? To be clear, I am just plugging in the TV, AND THEN NOT TOUCHING THE TV OR REMOTE, and then the standby light fades off. As I recall it stays on when the TV is powered off (but plugged in), and then turns off when the TV is powered on. Did we have a misunderstanding, or am I incorrect?

[SLK001]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

You say the standby light is supposed to act that way. Are you sure? To be clear, I am just plugging in the TV, AND THEN NOT TOUCHING THE TV OR REMOTE, and then the standby light fades off. As I recall it stays on when the TV is powered off (but plugged in), and then turns off when the TV is powered on. Did we have a misunderstanding, or am I incorrect?

My earlier model of this TV turns on the standby light when I turn it on, then slowly fades to off (while the TV is booting up). It stays off until you power the set off, then it comes on while TV is shutting down (about 1 second). A lot of these Vizios operate like this.

[maxvalutech]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

With a problem lurking in the background these type sets can turn themselves on as soon as power connected. I have a similar set that self starts when switched on at power point. I can turn it off normally but if power still available exactly 5 minutes later it self starts again. Possible eeprom problem for mine but may well be a backlight problem for yours.

[momo2000]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

UPDATE=>

#1. I took it off the wall and brought it to an area where I could work on it. Plugged it in before I start taking it apart . . . It works perfectly! So I did not do any meter readings. I'm guessing it will tough to fix the problem if it is intermittent. Any suggestions? I'm guessing I just keep turning it on/off once or twice a day and see if I can get it to fail again? Other ideas? I've read bits/pieces about EPROM issues. Any chance it was just "mucked up" and a few days being unplugged and then repowered helped? Just trying to figure out if this was a one-off, or an intermittent problem.

#2. I was WRONG on the standby light. Now that it is working, the standby light operates just like SLK001 said it did earlier in this thread. Sorry I doubted you SLK001 ☹

#3. As requested, I have attached photos of the PS, Main, and T-Con Boards.

Any ideas on what do do/check next?

[SLK001]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

Check that all your cables are properly seated. Also, make sure all the screws to ground are tight to the chassis.

Looks like the right cable from the TCON to the panel is not all the way in. Also pull the power supply and look for fractured solder joints at the connector.

[momo2000]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

Check that all your cables are properly seated. Also, make sure all the screws to ground are tight to the chassis.

Looks like the right cable from the TCON to the panel is not all the way in. Also pull the power supply and look for fractured solder joints at the connector.

Finally had time to do this tonight. I did seat/reseat all cables and checked ground screws. Also pulled the PS to look for fractured solder joints (I have seen these before so believe I would recognize), but I found none. TV still working fine. Pretty hard to fix something if it won't fail so guess I'm going to button it up and let it run and turn it off on when I can, and see if it will fail. Thanks so much to all of you for your suggestions/advice. Really appreciate it. If it fails, I'll repost, but other than that, I think this thread is CLOSED.

[SLK001]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

... I think this thread is CLOSED.

Naw, that's not how this works. This thread will keep getting added to as others have the same problem and seek the wisdom of the crowd.

[momo2000]

Re: Vizio e55-c1, Plug in, standby light on, then fade off in 2 sec

OK, thanks, SLK001 !!!