How to Change Projection TV Bulbs

A specialized bulb powers projection televisions. The bulb creates the illumination that creates the clear picture. Over time, the bulb will begin to fade or completely burn out. As the picture quality becomes darker or fuzzy, it's time to replace the bulb. Replacing the bulb can be done without calling a professional and requires minimal tools. Replace the bulb immediately to ensure the picture on your projection television is clear and crisp.

Instructions

1. Turn the television off by pressing the "Power" button once. Allow the unit to cool for 10 minutes. Unplug the television from the electrical outlet.
   
   
2. Locate the bulb housing. On most televisions, the lamp door is on the right or back of the unit. Some older models house the lamp behind the front panel. Refer to your User's Manual for the exact location.
   
   
3. Unscrew and remove the screws that secure the lamp door in place. Use the appropriate screwdriver to ensure you do not strip the screws. Once screws are removed, slide the door off. You will now have access to the bulb unit.
   
   
4. Remove the bulb from the television by grasping the handle and gently pulling the bulb out.
   
   
5. Line up the new bulb with the grooves within the lamp housing. Push the bulb unit into the television until it clicks into place. Place the cover back onto the television. Replace the screws to secure the cover in place. Tighten using the screwdriver. The bulb has now been replaced and is ready for use.
    
    

How to Replace the Bulb in a Magnavox Projection TV

Magnavox projection televisions are equipped with a lamp, or bulb, to ensure the picture is clear and bright. Over time, the bulb may dim or blow out completely. You can order a replacement bulb and install it yourself to avoid costly repair bills.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver

1. Disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet to ensure the television is drawing no power. Allow the bulb to cool for at least 20 minutes to prevent electrical shock and burns.
   
   
2. Remove the decorative cover on the bottom front of the TV set, below the screen. Slide the cover off with a little pressure with your hand to reveal the bulb module.
   
   
3. Use the screwdriver to remove the protective cover on the bulb module to gain access to the bulb module. Loosen the three screws on the bulb module and pull the bulb out carefully.
   
   
4. Insert the new bulb and tighten the three screws. Tighten the screws to ensure that the bulb stays in place.
   
   
5. Replace the protective cover and secure the appropriate screws. Replace the decorative cover.

How to Fix a Panasonic Rear Projection Screen

Panasonic rear projection television systems function by taking a small image produced at the rear of the television and enlarging the information onto the TV screen. If your Panasonic television is not working properly, troubleshoot the equipment and repair any problem you are running into. Although the exact issue may vary, you can typically fix the issue on your own without the help of a television repair technician.

 

 

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• User manual
• Replacement fuse
• Phillips screwdriver

1. Open your user manual and check for the fuse type required if your fuse is blown out. Replacing the fuse is required if the TV does not appear to turn on at all. Once you know the fuse type and have it on hand (purchasable from most television repair facilities), disconnect the TV from the electrical outlet, open the rear compartment panel on the set (this may require you to remove a few Phillips screws holding the cover down), and pull out the damaged fuse. Insert the new fuse and power on the TV.
    
2. Turn off the TV if there is a single white or black dot on the screen. Wait a few minutes and turn the television set back on. If the dot disappears, you have a frozen pixel, which is corrected with the shut-down method. If the odd pixel remains, the screen is dead and you cannot correct the problem.
   
   
3. Check the cable connection running form any connected device to the Panasonic projection TV. If the cable is not completely inserted into the television's connection port, the TV does not receive a clear audio/video signal.
    
4. Disconnect the TV from the local electrical outlet and let it sit turned off for a few minutes. This resets the internal hardware on the TV, correcting display and menu problems on the set. Power on the television again; it now should function correctly.
   

How to Repair a Projection TV

Having a professional repair your projection TV can be a stressful and costly process. Many TV repair centers will charge you just for an estimate! If you're looking to save time and money, follow these steps to repair your projection TV.

Instructions

1. Consult your TV's troubleshooting guide. Follow its recommended steps. Most problems can be fixed by troubleshooting.
   
   
2. Diagnose what's wrong with your TV. There are many TV repair tip websites on the Internet you can consult, like the "Notes on the Troubleshooting and Repair of Television Sets" website (see Resources below). Or, try asking a TV repair question on an online message board like AllExperts.com (see Resources below). You can also find books on troubleshooting projection TV's. Check your local library or bookstore for a book like "Complete Projection TV Troubleshooting and Repair."
   
   
3. Get your TV's service manual to find a diagram of your TV's circuits. You can get a service manual through a retailer that sells your TV brand or through an online store like tvdiagrams.com (see Resources below).
   
   
4. Gather the necessary tools. For most projections TVs you'll need a Phillips head and a flathead screwdriver to remove the back shell. You may also need a digital multimeter to test the circuits.
   
   
5. Know the common problems and fixes for a projection TV. Below are a few common problems that people come across when a projection TV goes on the fritz.
   • Blurred, snowy picture: Turn on your projection TV and wiggle the coax cable from your cable box or antenna where it connects to the TV. If the picture fluctuates, you know that you have a loose connection, or that the coax cable is bad.
   • Blotches of color on the screen: Caused when your projection TV becomes magnetized. Use a strong magnetic coil and make circular motions around your projection TV screen starting on the upper left corner. Increase the size of the circles you're making until you've covered the entire screen. Slowly move away from the screen; continuing to make circular motions with the magnet. When the magnet loses contact, the color blotches should be gone.
   • TV shuts off randomly: It's usually caused by overheating. Remove any heat-emitting objects or anything that may be insulating the TV and causing it to overheat.
   • Speaker emits static: Follow the remaining steps to replace a speaker.
   
   
6. Unplug your TV's power cord from the electrical outlet and disconnect any peripheral devices like a DVD player or cable box. Place your television screen-down on a soft surface.
   
   
7. Remove the screws that connect the back shell to the rest of the TV. Then pull the shell up and off the TV carefully. Set it aside.
   
   
8. Consult your TV's service manual to find the part that you need to replace or repair.
   
   
9. Place the shell back on the TV once your repairs are finished. Replace each screw to secure the shell to the TV.
   
   
10. Plug your power cord back into the electrical outlet and test your TV. If your repairs weren't successful, it may be time to consult a professional.
    

Tips & Warnings

• Work in a spacious, dry and well-ventilated area. This will give you room to work, avoid the possibility of electrocution and help remove any fumes that are created during the repair process.
• There are many TV repair guides online. Make sure the guide you use is applicable to your type of TV.
• Unless you have at least a basic knowledge of electronics, don't try to repair a TV on your own. You may damage your TV further or injure yourself.
• Electrical charges can stay in cords and circuits even after being removed from their power source. Always use rubber gloves to avoid electrocution.

Do it yourself: repair guide

Knowing how to safely make a few basic repairs to your television can save you the time and money of consulting a professional and protect you from the unnecessary purchase of a new set.

The television set has been and will continue to be the hub of the American home entertainment system for some time. Emerging technologies and expanded programming have driven consumers to purchase television sets with more features and at a higher cost. Knowing how to make a few basic repairs to your own television set can save you the time and money of consulting a professional over a simple problem, and even protect you from the unnecessary purchase of a new set.

However, home repair enthusiasts, experienced or otherwise, should note that television sets contain dangerously high voltages (more than 30,000) and even "quick fixes" should not be handled lightly. When making any repairs, wear safety glasses and work gloves at all times.

One of the most common malfunctions in cable televisions is a blurred (or snowy) picture. Most often, this is caused by a flaw in the coaxial cable connecting the TV (or VCR) to the cable antenna: the wiring itself may be flawed or the fitting may be loose. To determine if this is the case, turn the television on and wiggle the coaxial cable where it enters the television and where it enters the cable output. If the snow on the screen wavers (gets better or worse), you know there is a problem with the cable. Also, you can try using the same cable on another television in your house. If it produces a snowy picture there also, you know there is a problem with that cable. Replacing the cable is inexpensive and easy: they can be found in the electronics section of most department stores and hardware stores in a variety of lengths and colors. Be sure to properly dispose of the flawed cable.

Another common malfunction that occurs in television sets is blotches of color, which may be particularly apparent around the edges of the screen. This can happen if the television screen becomes magnetized, which will occur if the television is placed near other electronic equipment, such as stereo speakers. While most televisions contain a circuit that will automatically de-magnetize the screen, this circuit may be damaged or otherwise malfunctioning. To de-magnetize the television yourself, you will need to purchase a strong magnetic coil: these can be found at most hardware stores. Hold the coil in the upper left hand corner, a few inches away from the screen (a rainbow pattern should appear on the screen). Making small circular motions, move the coil around the screen (the rainbow pattern should fluctuate). Increase the size of your circular motions until you have covered the entire screen and then slowly back away from the television set, continuing to make circular motions. When the coil loses contact with the screen, the blotches of color should be gone. In order to successfully de-magnetize the set, you may need to repeat these steps several times.

Replacing a television speaker that emits static noise can be simple, but requires caution because it entails removing the back cover of the television set, exposing the high voltage lead that runs into the top part of the picture tube. Even if the television is unplugged, the tube can shock you: do not touch it in any way. You will also be required to purchase a replacement speaker which needs to match your current speaker in impedance, which will usually be indicated on the magnet. Begin by unplugging your television and laying it, screen down, on a soft surface. Remove any screws (usually Phillips head) from the back of the television shell. Then, pull back on the cover; if you feel resistance, you may have missed a screw or the cover may have snagged on one of the set's internal wires. Carefully remove these obstacles and set the cover aside. Identify the malfunctioning speaker (whichever one usually emits static noise), and replace it with the new one. Reattach the speaker in the same manner the old one was attached. Replace the television cover and attach with screws. Important: during this process it is very important to make sure none of the internal wiring of the television is jarred, twisted, or broken. Any damage to these components can irrevocably impair the function of the set.

If your television set has a tendency to shut off randomly, it is probably overheating. Permanently remove any objects placed on or too close to the television's ventilation slats. Use a small vacuum attachment to remove any dust that has built up there. This should successfully prevent your television from randomly shutting off again.

These four techniques will cure 50% of the problems that ail your television set, saving you time and money. If using these techniques does not work for you or if you feel unsure in performing any of them, a professional television repairperson should be contacted. Ask for an estimate and a realistic appraisal of whether the set can be adequately fixed. If not, it may be time to shop around for a newer model.