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Less Than 1 USD To Repair 42″ Plasma TV

By Jestine Yong on December 27, 2014

It was an older model of Philips 42” plasma TV with the model of 42PF7320/98. The complaint was the power green light would automatically switched back to red light after you have pressed on the power button in the remote control. There was no display.

The first thing to do is to remove the tons of special screws (you need a 6 point star tip screw driver) that secured the back cover.

It took me a while to remove all the screws and the big metal cover.

Once the cover was removed I began to check on the boards to see if there is any loose connection, bulged e-caps, burnt mark and etc. Take a look at the photo below the number of circuit boards found inside the Plasma TV:

After scanning the boards for a moment I found there were two bulged e-caps located at the power board-see the photo below:

Before I remove the power board I took a photo of all the cable connectors so that I would not miss connecting it back once the power board is repaired.

The value of the 2 e-caps were 3300uf 10Volt 105 Celsius. Before I put in the replacement capacitor I cleaned the area first and tried to understand what circuit this dc supply line was going. After careful monitoring, the DC supply line is a 3.3 volt line (stated in the board) and the supply was going to the mainboard most probably to the MCU IC in the mainboard. This could be the reason why the power LED light will switched back to red once it turned green. The ripple from the DC line could have cause the mainboard to malfunction. With the replacement of only 2 e-caps (cost less than 1 USD) the Plasma TV was brought back to life again.

Conclusion- As mentioned many times before, repairing electronics equipment can be a very easy job or it can also be a very tough job to repair. You just have to take the set apart and scan for bad components. Don’t always assume it must be very tough to repair. Assuming if all the voltages are good and no bulged e-caps then you may have to use another approach to find the solution.

This article is brought to you by Jestine Yong

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By the way if you wish to learn more about Plasma TV or LCD/LED TV repair you can check out the ebook by Damon Morrow in the below link:

https://www.jestineyong.com/repairing-guides-by-damon-morrow/

This ebook is not for beginners. It is written for intermediate and advanced repairers. One you have got the ebook you can always email him for support on Plasma/LCD/LED TV problems.

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plasma tv repair

51 Comments

Dan

December 27, 2014 at 2:34 pm

I too have run into many repairs that proved to be bad caps in the power supply on numerous pieces of electronic equipment. Many times, of course, these are low-esr capacitors, and cannot be replaced by generic, off-the-shelf electrolytics. Jestine's info on "Blue Meters" explains this in simple terms if you don't know about esr's.

As usual, thanks for a this and all of the articles you publish. You have a great site!

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- admin
  
  December 27, 2014 at 3:06 pm
  
  HI Dan,
  
  You are welcome!
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
- Bert Hamers
  
  December 27, 2014 at 4:53 pm
  
  I already have replaced bulged capacitors. These are easy repairs and there are also difficultrepairs like motherboards in LED Tv's. I wish everyone a happy new year.
  
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Tinapa

December 27, 2014 at 2:46 pm

Hello Jestine,

I wish that most of my cases are that easy.

Thanks for this website.

Tinapa F

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- admin
  
  December 27, 2014 at 3:06 pm
  
  HI Tinapa,
  
  You are welcome!
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
Tonke

December 27, 2014 at 3:19 pm

"A six point star tip screw driver" is called a torx screw driver.

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- admin
  
  December 27, 2014 at 3:47 pm
  
  Hi Tonke,
  Thanks for sharing. I have learned something new today!
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
boopathiraj

December 27, 2014 at 4:03 pm

good job jestine
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

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- admin
  
  December 27, 2014 at 4:30 pm
  
  Hi Boopathiraj,
  
  Thanks and Happy New Year to you too.
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
ronald

December 27, 2014 at 5:19 pm

Great thanks

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harry

December 27, 2014 at 6:27 pm

I love the articles keep it up, and have a great new year and a prosperous new year.

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- Henry from Puerto Rico
  
  December 29, 2014 at 3:17 am
  
  Thank you for your articles and comments.They are very useful.I Always read your comments.To wish you a good holiday and new years!Also to your lovely wife and kids.God bless you!Be happy!
  
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  Reply
Anwar Shiekh

December 27, 2014 at 6:43 pm

What brand of low ESR capacitors do you recommend?

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- admin
  
  December 27, 2014 at 11:03 pm
  
  Hi Anwar,
  
  Any branded cap will do.
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
Stefano Begnozzi

December 27, 2014 at 6:59 pm

Dear Jestine Yong,

very interesting service, with vey professional photo and explanation.

Many thanks

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Albert Hoekman

December 27, 2014 at 7:53 pm

I agree with Tonke, I think it is an international name for such screwdrivers.

I like to wish jestine, his crew and family and all the authors and readers of this site a very good and healthy 2015.

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- admin
  
  December 27, 2014 at 11:00 pm
  
  Thanks to all. Happy New Year!
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
Waleed Rishmawi

December 27, 2014 at 8:01 pm

great job on the repair

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ricardo ramos

December 27, 2014 at 8:23 pm

Thank you Jestine for such an interesting and very useful tips that you shared to us. I learned something new today. Have a blessed new year.

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Kushan

December 27, 2014 at 8:29 pm

Thanks for spending your valuble time for us

I Wish you and your family a Marry Christmas... may your life be filled with blessings in this Christmas season.

Greetings from Sri Lanka
Kushan

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Mike Zook

December 27, 2014 at 9:53 pm

Great job as usual Jestine. Thanks for the info. Keep them coming.

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Merlin Marquardt

December 27, 2014 at 11:26 pm

Great repair. Bad caps ruin the device.

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Bernie Scott

December 27, 2014 at 11:32 pm

First of all...A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all....
Great article....E-caps are always a problem.....lucky for us they are
pretty cheap......Just a note....I don't take digital pictures...I label every harness with the associated connector designation on the board....and if there are different screws I use the letters of the alphabet and label a plastic bag and the associated number of screw holes with the letter A...then the next one would be B and so on.....that way I can be 100% sure the right screw will be re-installed into the right hole.....Just my way of doing it.....
Merry Christmas........
Bernie

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- admin
  
  December 28, 2014 at 4:49 pm
  
  Thanks to all and Happy New Year!
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
Robert

December 28, 2014 at 1:22 am

Good job Mr. Yong. I looked at 2 service manuals for that TV and neither one had schematics for the power supply board. I was hoping to see which circuit the e-caps were on - oh well. Have a Happy New Year!

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Luciano Khware

December 28, 2014 at 3:22 am

Hi Jestine,
Well done for this wonderful job. Merry Christmas and Happy New year 2015. May the coming year (2015) be full of successes and new lessons in repair work to all technicians

Khware

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clyde davis

December 28, 2014 at 8:43 am

Season greetings to you and family another great article that had me smiling as I do look forward hearing from you keep up the great work.....

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beh

December 28, 2014 at 12:32 pm

yes. it is a great repair thanks for sharing and HAPPY NEW YEAR .

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ataul

December 28, 2014 at 2:18 pm

hello jestine
I like every repairing case history of your posting. the interesting "e cap" issue is surprising me. many thing i am learning from you .i think dry soldering is another major cause of old tv malfunctioning.
new years greetings from bangladesh.
Ataul...

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John Angwin

December 29, 2014 at 1:15 am

Jestine your website is very informative. I and an old tube generation repair tech. Been in the computer field for 30 years after giving up TV and VCR repair. ( More money) I am retiring soon and would like to get into the LEC/LCD tv repair again. My training took me to component repair but I know that is not how the younger techs are trained. What I'm looking for is a good book to ring me up to date on repairing the new TV's. What would you suggest. Thank you for your time. And have a Happy Healthy New Year.

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Reply
- admin
  
  December 29, 2014 at 9:53 am
  
  HI John,
  
  Thanks and noted about your experiences. Try check out on Kent's four volumes of LCD/LED TV repair tips at:
  
  https://www.jestineyong.com/repairing-guides-by-kent/
  
  Happy New Year to you too.
  
  Jestine
  
  Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  
  Reply
  - John Angwin
    
    January 2, 2015 at 1:24 am
    
    Thank you for the information. I just purchased one eBook and started to read it. I'm sure I will be expanding my library fast as I didn't realize the changes that have taken place the last 10 years. I'm looking forward to getting back in the field as I hate it when people tell me it cost more to repair an unit than to buy new. And thank you Robert as it must be time to get rid of my tube substitution manual.
    
    Happy New Year
    
    John
    
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    Reply
    - Robert
      
      January 5, 2015 at 3:58 am
      
      Hi John,
      
      You're welcome. I would hang onto the tube substitution book. There are still people that repair tube amplifiers because a lot of musicians love the sound of them. There is still money to be made there!
      
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      Reply
- Robert
  
  December 31, 2014 at 12:19 am
  
  Hi John,
  I would get Mr. Yong's books also. I think I have all of Mr. Yong's books and Mr. Liew's books V1.0 - V4.0. I also have Damon's book on Plasma TV repair & John's book on LCD TV repair. I recommend them all!
  I bought Mr. Liew's V4 book a few weeks ago and took advantage of his year end special and bought V1 - V3 yesterday. I also have books on laptop computer repair.
  After studying their books, I truly believe that I can repair just about anything that can be repaired.
  
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  Reply
Don Day

December 29, 2014 at 3:07 am

I have a dell plasma (Samsung) and I have 2 E cap that are 250 volt 1000uf and have plastic that is bulged out on top of the capacitor on the power side of the board. Is it normal for that type of cap. Thanks for your help in trouble shooting electronics and have happy new year.

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- admin
  
  December 29, 2014 at 9:51 am
  
  HI Don,
  
  E-cap should not bulge at the top. Try replace and retest.
  
  Happy new year to you too.
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
Abdul

December 29, 2014 at 7:13 am

Thank you for the shortcut repair.
Wishing you and family Happy New Year 2015.
Abdul.

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clavour

December 29, 2014 at 8:56 am

Hello jestine and all on the forum, i would like to wish everyone
happy holidays and a prosperous 2015.

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Tony Wicks

December 30, 2014 at 12:33 am

Hi Justine,
Thank you and your Co-Authors for the interesting and helpful articles each time.
I retired 18 years ago from the Radio industry, and with my Amateur Radio and electronics it has kept my mind active and enquiring. everything is a hobby but I enjoy the challenge.
One section of the entertainment/recreation sector seems missing,and I wonder why??
For a number of years before CD,DVDs etc. The main recording medium was tape, IE:- VCR VHS Cassette. Although in declining numbers people do still have and use them for their many collections and I have been asked to repair them at times. Question?,Do you still use them in your part of the world and still repair them. I can't recall any articles or "Hints and Tips" for the various manufacturers or models. Please tell this poor 83 year old, he is not the only one to remember and care for them.

A very Happy and Prosperous New Year all your Team, and all the Readers.

Tony.

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- admin
  
  December 30, 2014 at 10:26 am
  
  Hi Tony,
  
  Hats off even at this age you are still active in this line-you are my inspiration! As for those devices, we no longer use them here. Hardly could see VCR VHS anymore. If you want to contribute those repair articles you are welcome to send it to me.
  
  Wishing you a Happy New Year too!
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
holami

December 30, 2014 at 5:43 am

thanks mr.jestine

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Tito

December 31, 2014 at 2:18 am

Jestine,i recently came across the very same problem as the one you have just posted. Mine was a sumsung and the e-caps were rated 10V 2200uf,the owner celebrated upon seeing his plasma back to life. Thanks to many of your tips Jestine. Happy new year,enjoy in style

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- admin
  
  December 31, 2014 at 10:24 am
  
  Hi Tito,
  
  Congratulation and Happy New Year!
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
Tesfaye kebede

January 1, 2015 at 7:39 am

hi jestine thank you it is a nice work

A very Happy and Prosperous New Year all your Team, and all the Readers.

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Yazid

January 1, 2015 at 6:54 pm

Hi jestine
thank you it's very good work
A very Happy and Prosperous New Year all your Team, and all the Readers.

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unang

January 4, 2015 at 10:22 am

nice info. it's very helpful... thanks

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Humberto

January 6, 2015 at 1:48 am

Good repair, Mr. Jestine Yong. Congratulations.

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Dan

January 10, 2015 at 9:40 am

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

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- admin
  
  January 10, 2015 at 9:52 am
  
  Hi Dan,
  
  Thanks and same to you too Happy New Year!
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply
Daniel

May 24, 2017 at 5:36 am

Hi Jestine,
I'm looking for the PSU of philip plasma tv 42pf7320/98, do you think you can help?

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Reply
- Jestine Yong
  
  May 25, 2017 at 9:41 pm
  
  Hi Daniel,
  
  Sorry I do not have info on this.
  
  Jestine
  
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  Reply