42 zenith plasma picture cutting in and out with good sound.

Hi:
The best possible solution to your problem is to replace both sustain boards at the same time, The X and Y sustain boards. LG tech support recommends replacing the digital board as well when replacing their boards, even during LG's tech training seminars they suggest you replace all major boards for continued viewing enjoyment. But in my experience you should replace the X systain also, but make sure the Y you replaced is still good.

Replace 6870QZE013C or 6871QYH053A (more likely).

The second is the Y-Sustain board, located to the left of your TV when looking from the back.

This is the one that usually burns and the fuse on it is likely shorted. Do not replace it, it will burn again.

There's an over current fault in the power supply or the Y-sustain convergence board. The loud pop was either a capacitor or pico-fuse breaking from excessive current overload. Sounds like 2 or 3 mosfets have shorted at the gate ends. Plasma TV's always have this problem because they generate too much heat and the components cant take the load conditions. Make your next TV an LCD...

To fix this problem have your local repair shop do it for you.....

any questions please ask.....

After all the research I found out that the IC on the Z board is bad and new board was ordered and replaced. The plasma work fine after that and picture is excellent with the new board. This forum is great, without this I couldn't fix it myself. Thank you.

It is still possible the z sustain board is bad. or an x driver board.

yes there is, you have to replace the Y-sustain and the Z sustain boards.
good luck

I had the same problem. We replaced the Y Sustain board. It was under $200 and not at all hard to do yourself. Remove the back of the tv. Make sure you watch what screw goes where. You will see the board on the left side. The number should be on the bottom right corner of the board. Just watch how you removed the board making small notes as to what goes where. Its really not that hard and you can save 600$ or more

Common faults that give you no picture and sound on Plasma are often related to Sustain board, buffer and cables problem.

In this case the cost will be affordable, ans surely worth.

In the unlikely eventuality that instead you have a faulty plasma screen , or a faulty digital control board (main board), the cost of repair may be high.

The only way to find out is by having the TV inspected by a technician.

The most common fault that gives you no picture and sound on plasma is Sustain board , lower buffer, or connector, that is repairable.

Hello to all! Some of the time with LG type Y & Z sustain boards you must replace both the boards in order to completely the repair or but not always. Please feel free to message or call me if you need more help with your Zenith plasma TV. 1-503-432-9904 / [email protected] Ask for Dave! If you are reading this post and you need help with a plasma or LCD type TV give me a call!

update: Well, we ended up calling the repair man and we had a bad Y-sustain board and also a bad Z-sustain board. According to the guy who fixed it, it was due to over use of the TV and using main power button instead of shutting off through the cable remote. 650.00 later and a few weeks later, we now have a fixed plasma. No real suggestions on how to get more life out of the new boards.