I own a Sony 36FS70 which sports a basic function membrane key pad on top of the cabinet. Unfortunately the down volume button now longer works and I'm looking to try and get it repaired.

I've contacted my local Sony Centre and spoken to the maintenance engineer. Unfortunely, he has never experience a problem like this so has, for the past three weeks, been enquiring as to the practicalities of such a repair. Alas, though, it would appear that even the UK technical centre cannot give him a straight answer.

Has anyone else experienced a similar problem, and if so could you tell me how difficult/costly such a repair is likely to be?

Well, if they didn't use microswitches, then the fix could be as simple as using a conductive spray (which tends to wear out, even on remote controls). Beyond that you may need some new parts, which may or may not exist. A few years ago I *did* manage to locate new volume buttons for a 14" 1986 Sony!

Quite prepared to have a go only I've no idea if this button array is available as a seperate spare, and if it is, how it's then fitted into the cabinet. (Don't want to wrecking it only to find I then have to splash out for an entire new cabinet).

BTW
Like the new Pronto file area.

This message was edited by djy on 05/15/02 06:29.04.

Hey, man, it's been my experience that the only reasons you have been waiting so long are because either:

a. The local tech is too lazy to follow up on your request with his probably-ver-busy rep;

b. It's a crappy, painful repair job and he doesn't really want to do it anyway;

c. He has a credit/debt problem with Sony and so is having a very hard time getting special parts, because they don't want to supply to him;

d. He has a bad relationship with Sony/the Sony rep/etc.

I'm experiencing "d" right now; Onkyo Canada is getting a terrible reputation for Customer Service to both the general public, and to their own retailers! Politics, politics, politics. I've been waiting... now get this... since MAY 2001 for my Onkyo TX-DS989 firmware upgrade. That makes it a WHOLE YEAR. And I'm in pretty tight with the store, so I know for a fact it is not the store or technical personnel.

My best suggestion is to find out who is in charge of Sony U.K. and go right to him/her. Be polite, of course... but firm. And let us know what happens... ... Mike

Out of all of the above I think the most likely is "b"... and I think I can understand why.

I gingerly teased back the membrane to reveal a somewhat sophisticated little micro-switch board assembly; so, alas, bang goes the conductive paint theory.

It would appear as well that although this switch assembly drops into place from the outside, it's actually fixed into position from the inside; and since the there's only about a half inch gap between the top of the tube and the cabinet I would imagine that it's fixed prior to the insertion of the tube. In other words, to replace it I think the tube's going to have to come out (and a 36" widescreen tube isn't exactly light).

I will, indeed, keep you posted.





This message was edited by djy on 05/16/02 07:29.57.

Update!

I contacted a second technician/engineer, who came up with a part and price within three days. The part comes in at £41.08 and labour £44.04.

Not too bad but it does come with a proviso... As I live outside of his "catchment area" I have to get the set to him (and at approximately 100kg's I don't fancy being responsible for getting it out of the house and into a car/van/truck/...tank!?).

On the other hand, he has offered the alternative of just supplying the part, which I think I'll take up. All I have to do then is convince the local Sony Centre to do the work.

Update No.2!

For anyone interested, I thought I'd let you know that I received the part yesterday and fitted it myself today. It was an absolute doddle; took me all of about 5 minutes. So, as you can imagine, I'm rather pleased I didn't pay the further £44.04 to get it fitted.

Again, for anyone interested, the item part no. is; 177177811. And I obtained it via Ray Page at Express TV Services In Malvern Link, Worcestershire. (Tel. 01684 573547).

djy, in reality you're a diy. (do-it-yourselfer.)
This experience should embolden you enough to get yourself in some REAL trouble.

BTW, GREAT UPDATES!

This message was edited by Sheik_Yerbouhti on 05/29/02 14:25.38.

Ho! Ho! Been there, done that, read the book, seen the film, got the T shirt. Trouble is I've made a rod for my own back. Done some things too well, so the scenario now goes...

Wifey: "Wouldn't it be nice if we...."

Me: "GROAN!" (Apparently, I've now got to learn bricklaying, to sort out a couple of "ropey" walls).


This message was edited by djy on 05/29/02 22:44.39.

Tell her you're going to "bricklaying classes" and then burn rubber for the PUB !!