Seiki SC-40FK700N with Dim Top Screen

Check the voltages on the connector to the backlight, and currents, if possible. You should eliminate problems there, first.

You'll likely only be able to tell if the problem is with wiring or lamps inside the backplane area after dismantling. You should be prepared to replace the lamp strips at that time, because the longer it's disassembled, and the more times you repeat that operation, the more chance of damage in the process.

Most sets won't let you see a dead lamp strip - just shutting down, which is most annoying. A lot of these things would be capable of running with multiple single led failures in their strips and no real difference in display quality . . .

. . . but the designer thinks differently.

A repair can often be made by simply jumpering the defective led with a suitable voltage dropping resistor or zener, but this is only something I'd do if replacement strips weren't on-hand.

I had one set where a dead strip could be mimicked with a

10W power shunt on that line, without opening the thing up. Dispay was acceptible to the customer, so it went back with just that addition. Not a real fix and a symptom that all the lamps needed replacement, but sometimes quicker is better.

RL

Replace them all if you think a 40" TV is worth the effort. Don't buy used strips, buy new ones. Check Shopjimmy. Guaranteed to be an LED issue.

Thanks for the useful tips, legg. It may be a few more days until I look into it.

Thank you. Would you mind elaborating about the supposed worth of a 40" TV? Would a smaller or larger TV be more suitable for the room it is intended? I am sincerely curious.

Speaking from a repairer's standpoint, you need to price the job out the door for a max of 1/2 the replacement cost of the product. If the TV is yours, then your labor is free (something that it is NOT for a professional) and worth the repair if you 1) like the TV and 2) don't break the screen or damage the bonding in the process.

As for screen size, that is up to the end user.