Expert: Allan Wainwright - 5/4/2006

Question
Hello,

I questioned you a few weeks ago about my panasonic stuck in shutdown and I took it into a Television Repair Center and paid $40.00 for a diagnosis.  Here's what I was told and I want to run this by you to see if this sounds reasonable/believable or if I should take it to another shop.

What he wrote on my ticket was:  

"Would require rebuilding or replacing high voltage defection circuit...note:  possible hidden or secondary damage...full replacement estimate $714 to $764.45 for high voltage circuits complete...note:  could be less...note:  have further concerns about possible intermittent short CRT but must first fix primary problem (short to ground in high voltage circuit) to know if there is secondary damage.

Boy you could imagine the shock I had over this estimate...He even showed me some computer printouts of him looking for the factory parts which said that Panasonic no longer makes these parts for my model.  My TV isn't even 5 years old yet!?!  So he said there might be a parts issue as well.  The technician sounded like he knew his stuff but again I wanted to run this by you as well.  Obviously if this sounds correct then this set is trashed.  It would be foolish to put that kind of money into a repair.  I would have been willing to pay $200-300 but not $700+.  

Please reply as I am very interested to see what you think with your professional experience and expertise.  Thanks in advance!

Steve in Denver.

Answer
sounds like the guy does not know what he is talking about. i wish you knew someone that knew how to use a meter and a digital camera?? i would help you fix it.
this est he gave you is very vague and does not really nail down any parts, just circuits. these circuits you cannot buy. you have to buy parts to fix the circuits. i need to know what your zip code is?? may be i can find you a shop.
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