More Information on Magnavox Television Problem With DIY Solution

Yesterday I wrote about our Magnavox television problem.  Last night I did a bit more research and stumbled upon a site that explained how to fix the problem yourself.  Our television is a Magnavox 37MF331D/37 that was manufactured in July of 2006.  We bought it in early 2007.  The television power problem is bad enough that there are talks of a class action lawsuit against Phillips/Magnavox.  According to some sources the part costs $9 but labour to do the repair costs about $800.

What I found out was there is a 25V capacitor marked 2074 on the power supply circuit board that goes.  The capacitor is easy to identify when it goes because the top bulges and the ooze a black liquid.  Replacing these capacitors with Radio Shack part # 227 - 1020 (35V).  The problem in these televisions is when Phillips/Magnavox outsourced the assembly a 25 V capacitor was used when it should have been a 35 V capacitor.  I found a great series of photos from someone who fixed their television so we know what to look for.  He fixed his television for about $5 with the most time consuming part of the DIY project being removing all of the screws. 

My husband is going to pick up a new capacitor tomorrow then do the repair either tomorrow night or Wednesday morning.  At this point we have nothing to loose.  The television is not worth spending $800 on and now that it is refusing to power on without a great deal of effort, steadily getting worse it won't be long before it doesn't power on at all rendering the television garbage.  If all goes well with this DIY repair our television will be back to normal operating condition.  I will post how the repair goes.

Avoid Phillips/Magnavox Televisions! Our Lemon of a Television

Back in mid May of 2007 we bought a LCD Magnvox flat screen television.  It was on sale, had a great picture with high definition (HD) and was bought on a whim to replace a dead television.  As a result we did not do any research on this television, something that is rather odd for us.  What we have ended up with is a lemon!

The television is just a little over 3 years old.  A few months ago the power light started blinking rather than just turning on when pressed.  After several minutes we could finally get a picture.  My husband figured out a couple of tricks to get it going.  Over the last few weeks the situation has worsened.  A friend recommended we get the television checked but we put it off because a service call is $80.  It's a good thing we did.  A few days ago I did a Google search to find out that this is a common problem with Phillips/Magnavox televisions to the point there were complaints filed with the FTC and there is a class action lawsuit by dissatisfied customers underway.

There is no way a new television should fail within a 3 year period!  According to several sources the actual part is $8 but the costs to replace the part hover around the $800 mark.  Phillips/Magnavox is not standing behind their product essentially ripping off thousands of consumers.  I haven't called them but those who have are reporting horribly rude customer service over this issue.  Many have reported their Phillips/Magnavox television failing within a short period to a year after purchase so perhaps we were very lucky our television lasted 3 years.  We are now doing the research to replace this failed television.  I can guarantee you it will not be replaced with a Phillips/Magnavox television.  I can also guarantee that all of our friends, family and anyone else who will listen that they won't be buying a television for them either!