Bad Tuner?

Question

Got this 32" Sony right now, don't have the model # handy but it's a '99 model. Nothing but snow with a few barely visible lines, looks like it's trying to tune something in but not succeeding. A/V input works fine. The customer was not in possesion of it when it quit, so they aren't sure if it was hit by lightning or not. To confirm that the tuner was bad, I first checked all supply voltages to the tuner - all were perfect. I then injected a signal into the IF output of the tuner - this produced a good solid image. That probably confirms a bad tuner, but I want to be absolutely sure before I replace it (a replacement runs about $150). I don't have a lot of experience with tuners because customers seldom ever bother to have them replaced. So have I diagnosed this properly? Or is there anything else I should check? Thanks for any advice.

Tom MacIntyre · Accepted Answer

It does seem that your tuner is bad...maybe check into getting arebuilt tuner, and get the refund for your own tuner? Does anyonestill do that?Tom

Chris F. · Answer

There used to be a company called Metro Tuner Service that did such work,they did great work and at a very reasonable price. Sadly, they too havebeen driven out of business by the declining industry. I don't know ofanyone who still rebuilds tuners - after all, how many customers botherhaving them replaced anymore? Just another sign of the times I guess.  $150 for a tuner is fine as long as the customer doesn't mind footing thebill. I wish all customers were so obliging.  If anyone can tell me someone who still rebuilds tuners, I'd appreciate itvery much. I have a 27" CTC-146 RCA in a solid oak cabinet that I stillintend to repair....'99ittoofbadreplacement

Marcel Beysselance · Answer

Some Sony TV use tuners compatible with Philips Tuners. There are cheaper.UV916 Philips replace some Sony tuners made in Spain-- --Marcel Beysselance

Tim Schwartz · Answer

Chris,

First, let me warn you that I'm an audio servicer, not a TV guy.

Several years ago, I had the same problem with my own Sony KV-20TS27 (1991 vintage). A friend of mine who works on TV's all the time had me remove the tuner and resolder lots of grounds, especially the ones made by fitting the outer shields on the tuner block. It seems that Sony (or the tuner mfg.) relied on the bent metal tabs going to pins coming up from the PC board to make some important grounds. Soldering them made the covers (shields) much harder to remove if you needed to, but did fix the tuner.

I have no idea if this will apply to your 1999 vintage set, though he indicated that it was a common problem in the tuners Sony used.

Regards, Tim Schwartz Bristol Electronics

"Chris F." wrote:

jdgill · Answer

You might want to try  to see if they can repair yours.I have used them before and found them to be quite good. They onlycharge $27.00John

Chris F. · Answer

Thanks for that link, it's nice to know that someone out there stillrebuilds tuners, and for a decent price.

Dave Plowman (News) · Answer

Wonder if the aerial socket has been knocked or pulled sideways and brokenthe PCB? Sony have a habit of doing this with the BNC connections on someof their pro monitors rather than supporting it mechanically as well.-- *If a mute swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?    Dave Plowman                   London SW                  To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Bad Tuner?

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