My Samsung DLP Keeps Turning Off! Why?

acmeex

I tried several searches to see if others have had the same problem as me and wasn't able to find any threads on point.

So, I have a Samsung HL-P5063W that I have owned for about 3 years and over the last several months it has developed a problem of just turning itself off. It can happen several times in an hour. After it turns itself off, I can usually turn it on again via the remote and may be good for an hour or longer, or it may turn off again in a few minutes. The problem seems to be getting worse lately and seems, oddly, more prevalent during the daytime than in the evening.

Anyone know what's the matter?

I suspect it may be the lamp or another part needs replacing (light engine maybe?), but really don't know. I'd like to determine the problem before I contact Best Buy where I bought it or Samsung (I don't have a lot of faith they will know the problem and just want to start replacing parts until it works again...).

Any thoughts greatly appreciated. TIA.

scoosdad

I'm sure you may have thought of this already, but have you tried blocking the IR receive port on the set to make sure it's not responding to some stray IR from something else?

I have friends who were concerned that a computer monitor attached to a PC in their living room was turning itself back on after they were sure they had turned it off. Turns out it was a Samsung PC monitor that had an IR sensor on it, and it was toggling on and off based on their usage of the remote control for their Samsung DLP TV.

Myself, I have a Samsung DLP TV also that's almost three years old, and about 6 months the same sort of thing was happening to me. It would shut itself down and the lamp error LEDs on the front panel would flash. I'd let it sit and cool off, then start it up again and it would run normally, usually for another week or so before repeating. That happened about four times, and then never again. I did move the set out from the wall another inch or so to make sure the fan intake wasn't being blocked in the back, so maybe I was having some kind of heat related shutdown and that's why it hasn't come back since. {knock on wood}

clearday

It does sound like it may be overheating, or the bulb is starting to go.

On the overheating, if you haven't already, vacuum all the vents in the back of the tv so you get the dust out. You probably don't want to remove the back to clean inside, but when you get to the bulb replacing, clean inside as well.

acmeex

Thanks for the replies guys.

After my first post, I did some more online research and went to Samsung's website to read their FAQ. I was left with the impression that it was an overheating problem. Apparently these TV's are designed to turn off when they get hot.

So I pulled the back vent cover off for the lamp and looked inside. No real dust to speak off. Also, I was able to determine all the fans are working too. Vents are not blocked and, although the TV sits on a shelf in my built-in wall unit, there is about 12 inches of space behind it and it did not seem any warmer back there than the rest of the room. So overheating didn't seem like the obvious answer.

Then I read scoosdad's post (thanks! I was thinking this might be the problem). So I tried putting a piece of electricians tape over the IR remote receiver. Tried my remote and it wouldn't work so I figured it was blocked sufficiently. However, the TV set continued to turn itself off the next day -- albeit not as many times. After a few days of having the electrical tape on and the TV turning off a few times further, I figured IR interference is probably not the issue and took the tape off.

Here's the weird part. It hasn't turned itself off in about 2 days now...!

However, when I turned it off myself last night I could hear a buzzing sound that continued after the set turned off for a few seconds. Not sure if this is a fan problem or an indication that the lamp is no longer any good.

Any thoughts or further suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Maybe I just replace the lamp and see what happens? If that doesn't fix it, I'll have the old one as temporary spare for down the road.

I guess I can call Samsung's tech centre and see what they have to say.

acmeex

bump

tech1

is it still under warranty from the manufacture (1 year since purchase date) or extended warranty from the store? if so, call them first, because if it's not a bulb issue, your just wasting that money and time, probably best to look at all your options (especially the cheaper ones) first, unless someone has a definitive answer for you.

adhood

On the lamp door there is a switch, that tells the TV the lamp door is closed.

The TV could be turning off randomly because this switch is defective.

Here is a better explanation.

Found here: http://www./avs-vb/showthread.php?t=817938

Hope that solves your problem.

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acmeex

Thanks for the additional info.

I will check the lamp door as I have noticed that when I have opened before to yank out the bulb, the set seems to not turn itself off as frequently. So maybe the process of opening and closing that door realigns the switch slightly so the set is not as fussy...

I will let you know if that works.

Suby

Does it make any sound at all, any beeps, when it shuts down? My crappy DLP did that and it turned out my lamp was over heating, but also it was doing that because it was under the window and sun was hitting it.

Make sure u dont have it near a heat vent or direct sun.

tvlampsnbulbs

Is it possible that the firmware needs to be updated? I know that's an issue with other Samsung models.

cdcamp

On August 2, 2008 I had a professional installation of my new LN52A550p3fxza-52" 1080p Lcd tv. I bought a new bluray player with power surge protector, monster cables and I even spent the $20 for the screen cleaner!! I am sure I made the sales mans day!

My problems started the night of the Olympic opening ceremonies, it turned off 2 separate times and then reacquired the signal about 15 seconds later... since then it has happened only once..not a big deal..

Tonight 8-27-08 my tv is inoperable. It turns on... then turns off.... turns on.... then immediately turns off... I spoke to a samsung rep and he finally agreed that it was defected.. he said it was an internal power supply problem and a service technician would have to fix it..

Unfortunately I have invited 15 people to my house for the first huskers game on saturday... I will follow up with everyone how samsung treats me...

Needless to say im very disappointed... If anyone can help please let me know... I am trying to keep it cool by pulling it away from the wall... but I found on another forum that it is a defect with many Samsungs.... sigh... nothing like spending 3g and 3 weeks later having it be broken...

Codes20

Don't be silly. Return that TV set as a problem now may be a small taste of things to come. I'd also recommend a plasma if you're an avid sports viewer.

PFC5

Welcome to the forum!

I would exchange the display since it is within the 30 day return window as Codes20 stated above. It may be a sign of problems to come also. I would not take no for an answer from the store either.

I also agree that if you watch a lot of sports you might want to consider buying a plasma instead of that LCD. when you exchange/return it.

Good luck!

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Loves2Watch

I agree with both of the previous posters answers.

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