Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

[fitzy89]

Hi all

Here I have a Samsung UE40D5500 with the top third section of the screen flickering lines. From my brief attempt at troubleshooting I determined it was likely the T-con board producing these symptoms. However, I have replaced the board (model number S100FAPC2LV0.3) with a identical "fully tested and working" board from eBay but the issue is still the same.

I have taken some pictures of the symptoms and the T-con board. The board pictured is the original one from the TV, the replacement is identical with all the model numbers and codes and is currently fitted in the TV.

Pictures here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ncrxAj79X3xUAHBf1

What should I look at next?

Kind regards
Rob

[dick_barton]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

If you disconnect one of the ribbons to the panel do you have a good picture on half the screen and what is on the other half. Reconnect ribbon and repeat. Set off when connecting/disconnecting the ribbon cables.

[fitzy89]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

If you disconnect one of the ribbons to the panel do you have a good picture on half the screen and what is on the other half. Reconnect ribbon and repeat. Set off when connecting/disconnecting the ribbon cables.

When looking from the rear of the TV, disconnecting the left cable shows this:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/g8hAbRTlOmgHrS4L2

And disconnecting the right one shows this:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WIOnhQnQifNOjww23

There is also a very feint flickering diagonal line that flickers from the top-right to the lower-left side, it flickers at the same rate as the top section issue, you can just about see it in the first photo above.

[fitzy89]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

If it helps, here's some pictures of the innards and various part numbers https://photos.app.goo.gl/NqwjunFoT0nJp0ii1

[Andrew F. Ali]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

If it is horizontal (left to right) lines. It is not T-CON Bd as these boards show vertical (top to bottom) lines when faulty. Horizontal lines could be bad panel or T-CON signals not reaching the side tabs and are sometimes fixable applying the 'By-pass' method, but can only be applied if side tab bonds are on the side of the panel.

[fitzy89]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

If it is horizontal (left to right) lines. It is not T-CON Bd as these boards show vertical (top to bottom) lines when faulty. Horizontal lines could be bad panel or T-CON signals not reaching the side tabs and are sometimes fixable applying the 'By-pass' method, but can only be applied if side tab bonds are on the side of the panel.

Thanks for the info Andrew. Did you see the pictures where I unplugged each LCD ribbon above, does that help identify the cause at all?

[dick_barton]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

If it is horizontal (left to right) lines. It is not T-CON Bd as these boards show vertical (top to bottom) lines when faulty. Horizontal lines could be bad panel or T-CON signals not reaching the side tabs and are sometimes fixable applying the 'By-pass' method, but can only be applied if side tab bonds are on the side of the panel.

I agree but it looks like there is a problem with the left hand side (ooking at the screen from the front which makes me suspect there's a side tab issue on that side. I doubt unlike the 60" and 70" sets that it's fixable by removing the side tabs.
What do you think?

[fitzy89]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

I agree but it looks like there is a problem with the left hand side (ooking at the screen from the front which makes me suspect there's a side tab issue on that side. I doubt unlike the 60" and 70" sets that it's fixable by removing the side tabs.
What do you think?

I have dissected it a bit more and have some more photos for you: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ONC6rlrkM3nI6Gyx1

There doesn't appear to be any visible side connections on this one, at least not without taking the panel out of it's frame (there's a ton of screws and from past experience I'd rather avoid it if I can). Removing a metal strip from the bottom reveals several ribbons into the bottom of the screen, giving each one a firm downwards push does not seem to affect the pattern or make it better/worse at all so these all appear to be fine. I have also tried to push on all of the edges of the frame as well hoping to nudge any ribbons hidden within but again it doesn't seem to affect the pattern at all.

[dick_barton]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

I rather think that you have a panel issue but would like to hear what others may think.

[bman4]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

The side tabs are under the plastic frame. Feel them to see if any are unusually hot, You might be able to feel through the frame.Im in the same boat with my samsug but im wondering if you can just remove the problematic one .

[bman4]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

You have to remove all or there will be dark spots. Caution the panel will ne half as bright and reccomend to turn down contast. My contrast was set at 100 by default and was already to bright.

Sincerely,
bman4

[dick_barton]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

I don't know if you can successfully remove the side tabs on the smaller sets without losing the picture completely.

[bman4]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

You right just make sure they are on both sides.

[fitzy89]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

You right just make sure they are on both sides.

From what I can see there is a metal bezel that surrounds the entire panel which is held in place with many screws about every 4 inches apart. Is this the bezel that I need to remove to get to the tabs that you mean? I'm not sure if these panels are anything similar to a laptop screen but if I remove this bezel, will the screen separate into several plastic layers?

Thanks for everyone's help so far, I appreciate it

[bman4]

Re: Samsung UE40D5500 Flickering Lines Across Top 3rd of Screen

yes, just lay it on its back with blocks , some tvs are just the plastic.

did you confirm with the disconnecting of one side of the t-con.

it might not be a shorted side tab but a loose connection if you cant find a hot one try playing with the to induce or reduce symptoms.