Lamp Cartridge How do you know when you really need to replace the lamp cartridge. I received an indicator that says I should get one but the TV is working fine. Is this just preventive maintenance like we have with our cars.

To change the lamp on your Hitachi 50V500A Digital Ultravision TV, please follow these steps:

1. Turn off the TV and unplug it from the power source.
2. Locate the lamp cover on the back of the TV. It is a small plastic cover held in place by a screw.
3. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw and take off the lamp cover.
4. Locate the lamp cartridge and pull the handle to remove it from the TV.
5. Unscrew the lamp cartridge and remove the old lamp.
6. Insert the new lamp into the cartridge and screw it back in place.
7. Reinsert the lamp cartridge into the TV and push it all the way in until the handle clicks into place.
8. Replace the lamp cover and screw it back in place.
9. Plug the TV back in and turn it on. Check to make sure the new lamp is working properly.

It is recommended to refer to the user manual or seek professional help if you are not comfortable doing this yourself.

1. Turn TV power off and allow the lamp to cool at least one hour before proceeding.
2. After the lamp has cooled, remove the plastic air exhaust grille/cover by removing two screws with a #2 (large) Phillips screwdriver. See figure 1.
3. With a large flat-blade screwdriver, loosen the three shiny screws securing the lamp cartridge until they disengage from the mating threads. These are captive screws and cannot be separated from the lamp cartridge.
4. Fully open up the bag supplied with the replacement lamp and set the opened bag aside.
5. Grasp the wire handle of the lamp cartridge and pull the old cartridge straight out towards you. See figures 2 and 3. Note the orientation of the cartridge.
CAUTION: Do not tilt or rotate the cartridge, as small glass fragments may fall out.
6. Without tilting or putting down the lamp cartridge, insert it into the opened bag. Close the bag while being careful that no glass particles fall out.
7. Do not touch the glass parts of the new lamp cartridge. Insert the new cartridge into the TV in the same orientation as the old cartridge. Push on the cartridge housing until it is fully seated.
8. With either your fingers or the screwdriver, gently tighten the three screws. If using a screwdriver, use only two fingers for final tightening. AVOID OVERTIGHTENING!
9. Replace the plastic grille/cover and retaining screws.
10. WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY, AS THIS LAMP CONTAINS MERCURY.
11. Contact your local authorities or the Electronic Industries Alliance at www.eiae.com for lamp-disposal or recycling instructions. Do not dispose of the old lamp with common trash.
12. Reset the Lamp Reminder from the TV Setup menu as follows:
a. Press TV MENU to open the Setup menu.
b. Move the highlight to Lamp Reminder.
c. Press ENTER twice.

Ralph, I asked for clarification before, however if you are getting audio, the issue is most likely that your lamp needs to be replaced. This is easy to check. Refer to your manual still have it (Page 100), if not here's the link to it:
http://www.retrevo.com/support/Mitsubishi-WD-62825-TVs-manual/id/276ag907/t/2/
Pull the lamp and you'll be able to tell if it has failed because there will be a bunch of chunks of glass rattling around in it. If it has failed, put it back in the TV and get yourself a new lamp. The problem is that your lamp is rather expensive directly from Mitsubishi (Part# 915P020010) whereas the replacement lamps for the more contemporary models are only $99.00. Yours costs $229.00, but I do not recommend buying after-market no matter how appealing the low price seems. They are NEVER the quality of the OEM part and are often refurbished or generic, not designed for your TV.
This something you don't want to cheap out on because you'll regret it in the long run. Also, after-market lamps don't come with the cartridge normally (and when they do, they are almost as expensive as the OEM), meaning that you''ll have to purchase the cartridge separately and actually install the lamp into the cartridge and you don to want to be handling a DLP lamp. It could be disastrous to the lamp and its function.
If it's not the lamp, refer to page 101 of the manual to find out specifically what your particular flashing light indicates.

When the red status light is on, usually the lamp needs to be replaced. Make sure to order the correct lamp type for your TV - order Lamp Part Number 915B403001 from http://www.mitsuparts.com/ or (800) 553-7278. If the lamp is still under warranty, the replacement will be provided and the original must be returned to confirm the failure was a faulty lamp. The pop may have been the lamp failing.

With the TV off (and off for at least 1 hour to cool down) remove the cover from the lamp compartment from the back of the TV. It is on the lower right of the back of the TV and held by a single #2 Philips screw. Loosen the two screws that hold the lamp cartridge in place. Carefully remove the new lamp cartridge from the bag (use a glove to avoid getting oils from your skin on the lamp) and set aside the bag. Pull the old lamp cartridge straight out by the handle and place in the bag that held the new lamp. Do not twist or rotate the cartridge; glass pieces may fall out of the unit. Close the bag.

Insert the new cartridge carefully (again avoid touching the glass of the lamp with your bare hands). Match the orientation of the old lamp cartridge and push on the housing until it is fully seated. Tighten the two screws holding the cartridge. Then replace the cover and tighten that screw. Do not overtighten the screws.

The other possibility is a failed capacitor (or set of capacitors) in the mirror assembly that focuses the lamp light onto the screen of the TV. However, the totally black screen makes this less likely.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

If the Lamp light is steady, the lamp has failed and must be replaced. The TV will not work until the lamp is replaced (and the lamp cover is properly attached). Call (800) 553-7278 to get a replacement lamp from the manufacturer. Order lamp part number 915P028010. Once you have the replacement lamp, make sure that the TV is off for at least 30 minutes before replacing. Avoid touching the lamp glass - it will shorten the lamp life. Unplug the TV and use a Phillips screw driver to remove the lamp cover from the back of the TV (2 screws hold it on the right hand side) . Loosen the two screws that hold the lamp cartridge (one on the bottom left corner and one of the top right corner). These screws will not come completely out. Grasp the handle and pull the lamp cartridge out straight towards you. Place the new lamp cartridge completely into the opening then tighten the two screws that hold the cartridge. Replace the cover and screw it back into place.

If the lamp cartridge or cover are not properly secured, the TV will not come on. (There is a safety interlock).

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(the lamp should last at least a year; if not, contact the manufacturer for a warranty repair.)

Removing the Old Lamp Cartridge
Turn off TV power a 1. nd allow the lamp to cool for at
least one hour before proceeding.
2. After the lamp has cooled, remove the cover of the
lamp compartment, located on the back of the TV.
Refer to figures 1 and 2. Use a #2 (large) Phillips
screwdriver to loosen the screw securing the cover.
Keep the screw and cover for re-installation
3. With a large Phillips screwdriver, loosen the two
shiny screws securing the lamp cartridge until they
disengage from the mating threads. These are
captive screws and cannot be separated from the
lamp cartridge.
4. Fully open the bag supplied with the replacement
lamp and set the opened bag aside.
5. Gently grasp the handle of the lamp cartridge and
pull the old cartridge straight out. See figure 3.
CAUTION: Do not tilt or rotate the cartridge, as
small glass fragments may fall out.
6. Without tilting or putting down the lamp cartridge,
insert it into the opened bag. Close the bag while
being careful not to let any glass particles fall out.
Installing the New Lamp Cartridge
1. Do not touch the glass parts of the new lamp cartridge.
Insert the new cartridge into the TV in the
same orientation as the old cartridge. Push on the
cartridge housing until it is fully seated.
2. With either your fingers or the screwdriver, gently
tighten the two shiny screws. If using a screwdriver,
AVOID OVERTIGHTENING!
3. Replace the plastic cover and retaining screws.
4. WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY, AS THIS
LAMP CONTAINS MERCURY.

that is standby mode check the power supply of the t.v.

By consulting your users manual you should have the complete instructions on how to change out the lamp. It is not that difficult to do.
Replacing the Lamp Cartridge
Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver
1. Turn the television off and unplug the AC cord.
2. Remove the front speaker grill by gently pulling on each side. The grill will snap out.
3. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the three screws (one on the left and two on the right side) that hold the recessed plastic cover in place.
4. Remove the plastic cover and set aside with the screws.
5. After removing the cover, you will be able to see the lamp cartridge. With the screwdriver, loosen the three screws of the cartridge. The three screws will not completely remove. (They are captive)
6. Gently grasp the metal handle and pull straight out (towards you).
7. Insert the new lamp cartridge securely into the TV. Do not touch the glass surface of the cartridge.
8. With the screwdriver, tighten the screws on the lamp cartridge.
9. Replace the plastic cover and screws.
10. Snap the speaker grill back in to place by pushing it in to place on each side with the palm of your hand.

The part number for your lamp is 915P020010

You can also download your users manual by selecting this link and inputting your model number with the dash.

http://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/support.html

I hope this information allows you to resolve this issue.
If I have helped you, please help me, and rate this suggestion the highest FixYa rating. (Two Thumbs Up) If you cant rate this post with the highest rating, then please comment to this post and I will try to help you further.

Just took a look at the manual.
This information is in the troubleshooting section of appendix H in the owners manual.

12. Lamp indicator light is a flashing yellow. Lamp cover door is open or lamp cartridge is not secure. See AppendixH for lamp replacement information.

Appendix H is a bunch of graphics. that you'll need to see to understand. i can't paste it all here.

I had the same issue when replacing my lamp for the first time. I replace just the bulb with the Phillips replacement bulb. After installing the power down issue started and it would take up to 7 attempts before the TV would stay on with a picture.

Since I never had this problem until i replaced the bulb i decided to send the new bulb back and replace it with a difference one. In my opinion replacement parts are never made to the same standard as original OEM parts. This TV is definitely very temperamental in regard to the bulbs.

When the second replacement bulb arrived I decided to not only replace the bulb I also cleaned the connector plug in the cartridge with a QTip and alcohol. I did the same for the plug receptor in the TV.

When I replaced the bulb i insured the the top of bulb lettering was facing the handle of the cartridge so when you put the cartridge back in the TV the top of the bulb would be facing you.

I also cleaned the entire inside of the TV where the cartridge is inserted including the screws.

Once I did all this the TV turned on the first time and has been working fine for three days now.

I do believe the replacement bulb position is very important as to how it heats up and determines when it needs to cool.

I hope this helps others with the same success i had because I really do not want to replace this TV and start replacing all the parts others have done with little to no success for this issue.