Finally: A Solution/Fix For Toshiba DLP Bulb Problem!

CarpeDiem645 · 02-04-2012, 05:03 PM

OK, Guys/Girls, here it is: Having read virtually EVERYTHING I could find on the web referencing "The Notorious Toshiba Premature DLP Bulb/Lamp Failure Scandal/Controversy/PITA, etc., etc., ad infinitum....Here's what I've concluded:

The lamps are failing prematurely for 2 reasons, to wit: #1 IS IN-ARGUABLY TOSHIBA'S FAULT.....as simply put as possible, "There's NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LAMPS THEMSELVES (assuming you're using OEM lamps and NOT CHEAP IMPORT KNOCKOFFS (I use and strongly recommend PHOENIX lamps....much brighter and last a helluva lot longer than the cheapo import knock-offs).

It's Toshiba's fault simply because of super poor design/engineering. The culprit, simply stated, is LACK OF SUFFICIENT and/or PROPER COOLING/HEAT REMOVAL.

Just like the rest of you Toshiba DLP owners, I was plagued by constant lamp failure (both cheapo & OEM). I thought I had tried EVERYTHING ... i.e., super vacuuming/dust removal, even repositioned that little heat sensor/thermostat? that sits on top of the lamp housing. NOTHING SOLVED IT ... LAMPS KEPT FAILING!!

Without further adieu, here's THE FIX: I removed the 31" wide by 8 1/2" high plastic access panel (my TV is a 56HM66) from the back of the TV. I mounted a cheap, standard 110 Volt A/C House table fan (about 8" face/blade diameter) just to the left of the lamp access door/panel. The fan blows directly onto the black plastic cover with the red/black/yellow wires coming out of it (BTW, I took that cover off and there's a 4th small fan covering a heat sink under it...I left the cover off after vacuuming the fan and heat sink).

Yes, it's a PITA having to remember to manually turn the fan on when I watch TV and off (due to fan noise) when I'm not watching. However, I PUT THAT FAN ON 3 YEARS AGO AND HAVEN'T BLOWN/POPPED/ OR REPLACED A BULB SINCE (TV is on approximately 4 to 6 hours daily 7 days a week). Clearly, that fan is cooling something, that left uncooled, is blowing your lamps. I'm not sure WHAT it's cooling, but it works!

One of these days I'm gonna get ambitious enough to replace that archaic table fan with a wired in (turns on and off with the TV.....but, remember, MUST BE 12VOLT D/C!) high flow QUIET fan more appropriate for TV component cooling.

Since ALL OF OUR TOSHIBA DLP's ARE LONG OUT OF WARRANTY....WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE? I'd also point out, the combo projection lens/light engine is super EASY to remove and clean/dust at this time (remove 2 screws and disconnect about 3 wire connectors and the whole assembly slides right out .... if you unscrew the lens to clean it though, you'll have to refocus it by screwing it in and out (PITA) until you get proper PQ (kinda like focusing binoculars). Well, there you have it ladies and gents .... Finally a way to fix Toshibas (and I'm guessing several other brands as well) premature lamp failure problem.

So, what're ya waitin' for?.....HOP TO IT AND "GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL" !!! (Please email me to or Thanks for listenin', Jim

02-04-2012, 05:03 PM	#1
CarpeDiem645 What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Burlington, NC Posts: 1	Finally: A Solution/Fix For Toshiba & Others? DLP Lamp/Bulb Problem! OK, Guys/Girls, here it is: Having read virtually EVERYTHING I could find on the web referencing "The Notorious Toshiba Premature DLP Bulb/Lamp Failure Scandal/Controversy/PITA, etc., etc., ad infinitum....Here's what I've concluded: The lamps are failing prematurely for 2 reasons, to wit: #1 IS IN-ARGUABLY TOSHIBA'S FAULT.....as simply put as possible, "There's NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LAMPS THEMSELVES (assuming you're using OEM lamps and NOT CHEAP IMPORT KNOCKOFFS (I use and strongly recommend PHOENIX lamps....much brighter and last a helluva lot longer than the cheapo import knock-offs). It's Toshiba's fault simply because of super poor design/engineering. The culprit, simply stated, is LACK OF SUFFICIENT and/or PROPER COOLING/HEAT REMOVAL. Just like the rest of you Toshiba DLP owners, I was plagued by constant lamp failure (both cheapo & OEM). I thought I had tried EVERYTHING ... i.e., super vacuuming/dust removal, even repositioned that little heat sensor/thermostat? that sits on top of the lamp housing. NOTHING SOLVED IT ... LAMPS KEPT FAILING!! Without further adieu, here's THE FIX: I removed the 31" wide by 8 1/2" high plastic access panel (my TV is a 56HM66) from the back of the TV. I mounted a cheap, standard 110 Volt A/C House table fan (about 8" face/blade diameter) just to the left of the lamp access door/panel. The fan blows directly onto the black plastic cover with the red/black/yellow wires coming out of it (BTW, I took that cover off and there's a 4th small fan covering a heat sink under it...I left the cover off after vacuuming the fan and heat sink). Yes, it's a PITA having to remember to manually turn the fan on when I watch TV and off (due to fan noise) when I'm not watching. However, I PUT THAT FAN ON 3 YEARS AGO AND HAVEN'T BLOWN/POPPED/ OR REPLACED A BULB SINCE (TV is on approximately 4 to 6 hours daily 7 days a week). Clearly, that fan is cooling something, that left uncooled, is blowing your lamps. I'm not sure WHAT it's cooling, but it works! One of these days I'm gonna get ambitious enough to replace that archaic table fan with a wired in (turns on and off with the TV.....but, remember, MUST BE 12VOLT D/C!) high flow QUIET fan more appropriate for TV component cooling. Since ALL OF OUR TOSHIBA DLP's ARE LONG OUT OF WARRANTY....WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE? I'd also point out, the combo projection lens/light engine is super EASY to remove and clean/dust at this time (remove 2 screws and disconnect about 3 wire connectors and the whole assembly slides right out .... if you unscrew the lens to clean it though, you'll have to refocus it by screwing it in and out (PITA) until you get proper PQ (kinda like focusing binoculars). Well, there you have it ladies and gents .... Finally a way to fix Toshibas (and I'm guessing several other brands as well) premature lamp failure problem. So, what're ya waitin' for?.....HOP TO IT AND "GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL" !!! (Please email me to or Thanks for listenin', Jim Last edited by CarpeDiem645; 02-06-2012 at 05:58 PM. Reason: Typo