Ok well i have a Hitachi 50v500a i have had the light engine replaced about a year ago with no issues, but now when i power up the tv it starts fine but when the picture comes on there are blurry horizontal lines on both sides and the screen seems to be off center. it seems to be better in the middle of the screen. it goes away after a while and doesnt come back until the tv sits for awhile. any suggestions? i have a pic of it if needed.

There is no solution - eventually the entire picture will turn blue. It's out of warranty and replacement of the light engine is way too expensive. Start shopping for another tv - I did

there is not alot you can do yourself

If you Google the model number with the word problem after it you will see it is very common for this and the 60V500 made the same year.

There are currently several class action lawsuits concerning this and the engine wholesales for about 600 exchange currently. I replaced nearly 20 of them in sets when they were less than 3 years old--extended warranty.

At one point the cost was 1100 and then when so many started failing they dropped it to 225 exchange/wholesale---but that ended a few years ago.

Hitachi (several clients here and locally have told me this) if called will at first deny knowing anything about this problem--but they know and have known for years.

Best suggestion if you are not under a extended warranty---get involved in one of the class action lawsuits----sooner or later Hitachi will have to either replace set for free or pay.

Sorry to give you bad news but if it told you something you did not know, rate this solution as very helpful as I do this here for free.


SD TECH

THIS IS SO COMMON THERE ARE NOW SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS OVER IT---I suggest you get involved---the replacement engines are all rebuilt and supposed to "not have the same trouble".

Let me know if I can be of assistance.

GOOGLE THE MODEL NUMBER WITH CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AFTER IT.


sd tech

Light engine issue

Pls check this picture..
If you have same issue I would recommend pls change light engine.
Good Luck
Dals123

I have a 60 inch lcd with the red cloud, bought the tv in 04 called hitachi about it and there sending my tv repair man the light engine no cost. Everyone just needs to call them again. thanks Jim

You have a defective light engine and you do not have to be under warranty for Hitachi to replace this part. We just went through this and here's what you need to do. Call Hitachi's customer relations department at 800-654-7013 and tell them that you have a defective light engine. They will act like they've never heard of this problem but they have. They will give you the names of some certified dealers in your area to call. Once a tech comes out and confirms that it's the light engine, call Hitachi back and they will send a brand new light engine to the dealer and Hitachi will cover the cost of the part (cost $1500).

Here is the deal, if you're under warranty, Hitachi will cover the part and the install. If you're not under warranty, all you pay is the install. Our install cost $400. Others on this site have paid $200. Do not let anyone tell you that you have to pay for the light engine part...you do not. Hitachi has not recalled this part but they are replacing it for free. Also, deal only with Hitachi customer realations number that I listed. Good Luck

You have a defective light engine and you do not have to be under warranty for Hitachi to replace this part. We just went through this and here's what you need to do. Call Hitachi's customer relations department at 800-654-7013 and tell them that you have a defective light engine. They will act like they've never heard of this problem but they have. They will give you the names of some certified dealers in your area to call. Once a tech comes out and confirms that it's the light engine, call Hitachi back and they will send a brand new light engine to the dealer and Hitachi will cover the cost of the part (cost $1500).

Here is the deal, if you're under warranty, Hitachi will cover the part and the install. If you're not under warranty, all you pay is the install. Our install cost $400. Others on this site have paid $200. Do not let anyone tell you that you have to pay for the light engine part...you do not. Hitachi has not recalled this part but they are replacing it for free. Also, deal only with Hitachi customer realations number that I listed. Good Luck!

We had the same problem and just got our light engine replaced last week. Yes, Hitachi will ship the part and they will pay for the part but they will ask you to pay for the install (unless like Dev23 said, it's still under warranty). Hitachi shipped the part to the certified Hitachi dealer that they recommended. Cost to us was around $400. Worth it to us being that the TV cost $3600 when we bought it 3+ years ago and up until we had the light engine problem, the TV has been great. Since the light engine was replaced, TV looks brand new. You will read some post about this problem were people have had up to 3 light engines replaced. Back when Hitachi was made aware of this problem (about a year ago) they were sending out refurbished light engines and not new ones...obvious cost savings and cheap way out for Hitachi. The tech that came out and installed ours said that now Hitachi only sends out brand new light engines.

You should really only deal with Hitachis Customer Relations Department and not regular customer service. When you first call, they will act like they have no idea what you're talking about. After you have someone come out to look and tell you that YES, it's a light engine defect, they will ship the part to the dealer and then the tech will come out and rinstall it. The customer relations department # is 800-654-70103.

If you're willing to pay the install, they will cover the part. The part we were told cost $1500. Regardless of a warranty or not, this is a DEFECTIVE PART and I think Hitachi should pay for the entire tab none the less, we just wanted the TV fixed without a hassle! Good Luck:)