Expert: Rick Montgomery - 11/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a vw26lhdtv20f Vizio that has died , I think I need a main board where can i buy one cheap or can you point me in a nother direction as what could be wrong. the orange ligt indicating off, will go off when the power button is hit but goes right back off.
It never comes on it just stays black. what could this be and can the parts be gotten cheap if so, where?

ANSWER: Gary,
  You actually have 3 possibilities. The Main Board is one, but usually if the Main Board is defective, the Vizio logo will not change. Also, it should be changing to light blue.
Another possibility for the shutdown is a defective Inverter. This is the exclusive power supply for the backlights. And the last of course is the main power supply itself.
None of the distributors I order from, sell to individuals.
I would recommend you try shopjimmy.com for your Vizio board needs.
regards,
Rick

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QUESTION: The model i have does not have a blue light, it only has the reflection from under, of a orange light that when turned on it goes out.
since we are getting somewhere on this deal. To be more precise on my issue which I hope can help you to make a closer prognosis, when I turn the set on nothing happens other then the orange light going out, then after about 60 seconds there is a thut, thut, thut sound from the speakers, that slowly fades away then it will show the orange light. as being off. if you can sell me the correct parts at a good price I will fix it buying from you. Hell'' if you are going to diagnose it. I dang sure ain't going to let some one else profit from your work. from what I have explained does this help you any? If you know the part can you give me a price on it? If so do you know how to do a pay pal invoice?
Thanks,
Gary

ANSWER: Gary,
  All I do is offer assistance. I do not have parts to sell you. You are on your own so far as buying them. Vizio does not sell parts directly. They will have to come from an authorized Vizio Parts Distributor. In my Service Center, I know of only one, that being Union Electronic Distributors in Beecher, Illinois, but I'm not sure if they sell to individuals or not. Your best bet for parts would be shopjimmy.com online. I know he will sell to anyone, and because his parts are mostly from new sets that have had display or cabinet damage, they are new, but less expensive than new from Vizio and/or distributors. I can try to help you find the part number you need. Pull the back off the set. First, check the power supply module visually for swollen and/or vented electrolytic capacitors. Venting occurs when the electrolyte in the capacitor boils and causes the capacitor to burst through the scoring lines on the top, usually in a "+" configuration. It will be much less expensive for you to replace any of those than either complete circuit board. If you do, you MUST be absolutely sure to replace them with the same value(xxx MFD). You can go up in VOLTAGE rating, such as if you cannot locate a 10 volt capacitor, it is all right to go to 16 volt. Also, be sure to get 105 degree, HIGH TEMP capacitors.
If you decide to go with a complete board, the Vizio part numbers are all 12 digits long, ALL digits, separated by 2 dashes, such as 0507-0500-0395.
Can you give me the serial number?
Rick

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QUESTION: yes the serial number is :LFABBBH5203387  model:vw26lhdtv20f vizio
I am going to upload a photo of the boards of the tv tomorrow for you to see I just noticed the image attachment option. I don't have time to do it tonight but, I'll do it tomorrow for you to see the boards for yourself.
Thanks for the help on this I really appreciate it a lot.
Also I have a ohms meter( one of those good ones from Radio Shack) if you can direct me where to test i can maybe check so things, maybe?
Gary  

Answer
Gary,
  I contacted my Vizio tech rep, and he advised that he would start with the power supply, part # 02-00NBEE26-0P_D.
Also, an ohm meter will not be able to check capacitors for you. I won't need to see your boards. Only Union Electronics shows the board, and even they will have to special order it. This is not one they carry in stock.
Rick