Is my TV worth fixing?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Inspired by this recent thread, I’ve become bold enough to post my own TV issue.

Our bedroom TV, a 27" Zenith, has issues with the color blue. Specifically, 95% of the time, the TV doesn’t display any blue whatsoever. On a rare occasion, the picture will be pure for just a few minutes before the blue goes out again. This has gone on for several months.

A while back, we took the TV in for repair, and they replaced a part (the name of the part escapes me) that made the picture much, much sharper than it was previously (I guess you don’t realize how bad the picture has gotten until you have something with which to compare it), and the blue returned for a while, but then the problem cropped up again a short time later.

So, although my wife doesn’t seem to care much about it, this really annoys me. I really want the proper color back. I have no idea what it would cost to repair/replace the appropriate tube, but I know buying a replacement TV would cost me $200+, which I’m not really interested in spending right now.

Am I correct in assuming that it’s simply the blue tube that has gone wonky and needs replacing? And if so, what can I expect to pay for such a repair? Obviously, if it’s too much money, I’ll just sit on it until I can afford a replacement TV.

Many thanks!

2

If the set is so old to have tubes, chuck it. :smiley:

There isn’t a “blue tube” in a TV unless it’s a projection set. What you do have is a failure in the blue circuitry - somewhere between what’s called a color decoder and the picture tube. It could be anything from a bad connection to a failing component.

If you’re actually blessed with a TV repair shop, call them and describe the problem and find out what they’ll charge to diagnose it. A bad connection will probably be no charge other than the diagnostic fee. Component repair could be anywhere from a couple bucks to “get a new TV”

3

I knew I’d screw up the terminology! Heh…actually, the TV is about six years old, so yes, you’re exactly right.

I’ll check around for estimates, but the problem is finding a TV repair shop that’s open on the weekend. There’s no practical way for me to get the TV in during the week, and the only repair shop I found last time around that would take my set on the weekend is the one that misdiagnosed the problem in the first place. I’d rather go elsewhere.

Wish me luck!