I have a PT-44LCX65 and it is approximately 18 months old and a couple of weeks ago a roughly circular area in the screen began appearing more red/orange than the rest of the screen. Now, aside from time sthat the screen is all black or mostly balck, the spot is almost always visible. I haven't really taken any steps to resolve the issue and the buld has never been replaced. I am assuming though that this isn't a bulb issue as it is just a spot near the center (just slightly higher than the center) of the tv. Thanks!
Ok...once and for all I will explain the fix (in detail...which has been missing)...
1) Firmware updates do not fix this problem. I had this problem, and updated my firmware to the latest versons without success. Also, cleaning the light engine (or any other part) does not fix this problem. If you cleaned your TV and your problem disappeared, you had a different problem.)
2) This repair requies a special tool from Panasonic. The tool is part number LSUQ0100. It is light grey in color, and is roughly 7" x 5" x 1" in size. It has diagnostic lights on it, and a button to press to start the procedure. This tool is used to reprogram your EEPROM. Again, this is VERY different than flash upgrading your firmware.
3) To repair the TV, the repairman must remove the lower back of the unit and plug the long, 5-wire connector (5 individual wires terminated to one female connector end - reminds you a bit of an old-style CD-ROM audio cable used in computers) into a male recepticle on the light engine.
4) The procedure takes roughly 6-7 minutes to complete. The TV remains on during the procedure (yeah, I was a bit surprised too). About mid-way through the procedure, your colored ball-shaped blotches will just disappear....no on-screen progress bar, no bright flash, the spots just disappear in the blink of the eye.
5) CALL PANASONIC!!! They are standing behind these TVs, and are covering these in-home repairs free-of-charge - EVEN IF YOUR TV IS OUT OF WARRANTY. Mine was out of warranty by over a year. The Panasonic rep was very kind, but did explain that this is the only repair for these TVs that they will cover out of warranty, as it was a defect in the manufacture of the unit - all other repairs are at the expense of the customer.
Good luck to all - I hope this helps some of you!
Cheers to Panasonic for standing behind their products like this....you don't see that very much these days!
Thanks,
Chris
Posted on Sep 25, 2008
I have the same result as ChrisM. I emailed Panasonic about the issue and they replied with a request for more info regarding the serial number, date purchased, etc. After I supplied this, they called me and gave me the number of a local TV repair shop. I called the shop and they set up an apapointment. My wife was home when the came to the house for the repair, and she said it took about 15 minutes including diagnosis and repair. Evidently there is a component that has been corroding on many of these units, so they replace the component and it works fine. Since they have had so many problems with this issue on this model, they did the repair for free, even though I was two years out of warranty! Thanks Panasonic, I'll definitely buy from you again!
BC
Posted on Oct 26, 2008
It is the color computer.
I was fortunate and had bought the extended warranty, so I upgraded to a 52" for the same price when Panasonic decided they wouldn't fix it under warranty.
BTW, 6 months later, I went back to CC and found my 44" on the floor waiting to be sold as an "open box". How do I know it was mine? It still had my name & address sticker in 2 of the 3 places I put it when I anticipated it being taken to a repair shop.
Posted on Jun 21, 2008
My parents just developed a similar problem. They have a 44" Panasonic PT 44LCX 65 and have only had it for just under 2 yrs. It is a red spot about 4 inches in diameter in the picture.
I think we all need to call Panasonic and tell them to fix our problem or we will go on an internet rampage to stop people from buying their products. This type of problem should not be occurring so soon in such expensive units.
Posted on Mar 25, 2008
You proubly have to replace the "Light Engine" panasonic has a hard time keeping thes in stock. I neede one took about 60 days to recive it.
Posted on Dec 13, 2007
I have the same red spot on mine and have had it for about 3 months, the TV is 26 months old. It is roughly the size of a baseball, and depending on the color of the image in that spot can be more or less visible at times. It looks like someone is holding a flashlight behind the screen. I'm open to any ideas as well.
Posted on Aug 21, 2007
I don't have a sollution, but a similar problem. It started with a light green spot near the top center (actaully makes for an interesting sci-fi sunset on many ocassions), and now a blue one appears on the bottm left. I am waiting for the red one to appear on the bottom right for symetry. I am under the impression that, when the bulb needs replacing, it begins to go dark, which makes sense, so this does not seem like a bulb issue, but maybe I am wrong. The set is almost two years old. Any help would be appreciated.
Posted on May 24, 2007
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Actually, it is more of a redish pink color spot now.
TIA
We have three spots on are TV there is a green spot bottom left hand side,a red spot on the right side edge, and a purple spot close to the middle the size of a golf ball.
I have the same exact problem as woeful. TV's about two 1/2 years old. The reddish orange ball is about the size of a silver dollar, and appears mostly in light colors, and some greens.
Woeful 2
I have a red dot on mine and it's 22 months old...for what we all payed for this item it should last longer, I would like to see Panasonic address this issue they have to know it is a problem....this is probably my last Panasonic.....
Same problem here. Have had the tv for 3 years with no problems. Red blob/dot the size of baseball is now showing up. Thought this might be the lamp, but the lamp light is not coming on. Would hate to spend $150 for a lamp when that's not the problem.
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