Internal Cleaning of KDF-50WE655

[emerito99]

Hello! I am hopeing you all can shed some insight & opinions on this for me. I have owned a Sony KDF-50WE655 for exactly one year. I am extremely satisfied and love my tv. No problems what so ever to date (knock on wood). I bought this unit at Sears and also purchased the 3 year extended warranty (which also covers yearly cleaning of this unit). My question is should I have them come out and take a part the TV to clean it? My fear is it won't work properly after or dust will get on the mirrors or something... What do you all think?

Also, if anyone purchased this type of television before at Sears and had to deal with there service dept. - how are they and how long did it take them to come out if the bulb blows?

Thank you all very much!
-Dave from CT

[57U]

If people smoke in your home, or it's dusty, it may be worth getting the main mirror cleaned (if done properly) and other items the technician deems necessary. If no one smokes, then you could probably go until just before the warranty runs out and do it then.

Does the warranty cover bulb replacement? IF not (check the fine print), then it's probably time to buy one so that you can replace it when it does go...

[emerito99]

Thanks for the info.. No smoke and normal house dust (we do have a cat).. The warranty does cover bulb replacement.

[MASTERK12]

I have owned the same tv for just over a year now, and have been very pleased with it's performance. I also bought it from Sears with the 3 year maintenance program. It just so happens, that the bulb blew last night while my wife was watching one of her programs. I called the sears hotline, and they informed me that one of their service reps will be calling within 24 hours to set up an appointment. If this bulb is going to blow every year, I am not sure the tv is worth the hassels since the bulb costs almost $400. Might want to keep extending the maintenance agreement to cover the bulb replacement cost.

Semper Fi! :patriot:

[skylolow]

You can pick up the bulb on the internet for no more the $200.

[Intimidator#3]

Yeah the buld shoud last longer than that but it also will depend's on how long its on a day.

[emerito99]

Good luck with the service call.. Let me know how long it took them to contact you and come out to replace the bulb.. thanks and Good luck!

[MASTERK12]

I contacted them (Sears Service Center) the next day and set an appointment for 2 days later. Figured I would get them to fulfill the yearly maintenance agreement while they replace the bulb. Hopefully this bulb will last a little longer. I see the prices are going down every day on-line.

[lassenloop]

I have seen the bulbs on ebay for under $100. I have been considering buying a spare, so I won't be without my set for some period of time or forced to buy one in a store at full price.

[Intimidator#3]

Yeah they run around $200 from Sony.

http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/web/productSearch.do?searchOperation=modelSearch&searchText=KDF42WE655

[MASTERK12]

Here is the latest on the fix for my TV. After informing the maintenance man what was needed to fix the TV, he showed up without any spare parts to fix the set on sight. He ordered a new bulb with power ballast, and said it would be about 5 days.

After one week and no fix, I buy a new bulb on E-bay for $170. I install it myself and it works like a charm. Figure I will store this one once the maintenance man shows up to fix the set himself.

Two weeks later and no still no maintenance fix, I decide to call SEARS and the Service Center. I was told that parts were ordered and that they were having troubles getting the parts. After reading the maintenance agreement under the "lemon agreement", if parts can not be obtained they will either replace the set or my money. I called SEARS back to express my views using the lemon agreement and was prompty told the parts were being express shipped to the Service Center.

Ten days later, still no maintenance fix. I call the Service Center directly, and was set up with an appointment the next day. SEARS calls that night to let me know that the Service Center has the parts. LOL The guy shows up the next day, and it takes him 15 minutes to fix the tv. Works great and looks just like new.

I will be sure to let SEARS know how satisfied I am with there service.

Now I have a spare bulb for next time, and no headaches.

[hondamaddie]

Hello! I am hopeing you all can shed some insight & opinions on this for me. I have owned a Sony KDF-50WE655 for exactly one year. I am extremely satisfied and love my tv. No problems what so ever to date (knock on wood). I bought this unit at Sears and also purchased the 3 year extended warranty (which also covers yearly cleaning of this unit). My question is should I have them come out and take a part the TV to clean it? My fear is it won't work properly after or dust will get on the mirrors or something... What do you all think?

Also, if anyone purchased this type of television before at Sears and had to deal with there service dept. - how are they and how long did it take them to come out if the bulb blows?

Thank you all very much!
-Dave from CT

Do not allow anyone to clean the mirror or open the set. You will allow additional dust into the system. To view the condition of the mirror, you will want to display a 100% white raster screen. Then view your screen.

You will be looking for any defects in the mirror quality.

[emerito99]

Thanks for the info.. How do I display the white raster screen and what if I find defects?

MASTERK12 - Sorry to hear you had so much trouble with sears service.. That is really troubling. I bought a spare bulb in case I have to call Sears Service... Good luck!

[tedescm]

What is a raster screen?

[Ratman]

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/raster.html

[tedescm]

nice site...thanks...

Mike