Panasonic Plasma Electrical Woes

Watching TV this morning (Panasonic THD-42PWD6UY 42" plasma), an odd thing happened. The picture suddenly went blank and the power light (green when lit, red in standby) was flashing red. Attempting to turn it back on via remote control. I cycled power from the front (remote goes in and out of standby while the front panel actually turns it off) and nothing happened. Finally, I left it off for 20 seconds, turned it on and everything was back to normal. 10 minutes later it happened again. And then again.

So I'm contemplating that my plasma has failed and I'll be fighting for a warranty replacement. A visit to my toolkit proved me wrong. Using a simple circuit tester showed that the outlet was ungrounded, along with the other three outlets on the string. The power strip also indicated not grounded (although it only flickers elsewhere in the house that the tester says is grounded). An extension cord from another outlet solved the problem. Apparently the Panasonic plasma automatically shuts itself off if it detects an electrically unsafe condition and starts flashing the red standby light.

So I'm buying a Ideal 61-155 SureTest Circuit Analyzer from mytoolstore.com. I haven't experienced their service but they have a great selection of high-end and specialty tools at very good prices. I've wanted to buy a high-end analyzer for a while so this was the perfect excuse. It's unclear what it will tell me -- I'm hoping one of the outlets will read differently (and need replacing). Or I can troubleshoot at the breaker panel. Otherwise its down to the crawlspace (difficult in the depths of winter) to take apart the electrical junction for the string of outlets. Probably corroded or nibbled by critters.

Just a contribution to googlespace. Couldn't find anything similar.

Edit: About 2-3% of all Panasonic plasmas manufactured between June and August have this problem. It has to do with an out of spec component in the power supply. It's exhaustively documented on avsforum though Panasonic has not acknowledged it publicly or with a service bulletin. It's amazing how big 2-3% of people can sound when they're perturbed and have all gathered in a specialist community -- sounds more like 80% (which would be ten thousand posts instead of several hundred). I'm wishing I hadn't bought the broadcast model now -- warranty requires delivery to a service center.

Comments

[Carmela Ciampitti]

We purchased the Panasonic Viera model# TH-58PZ700U 58 inch back in Jan of 2008. The same thing just started happening with ours about 4 days ago. I called Panasonic and the told me to remove the plug from the Surge Protector. it still shuts off but not as often. Maybe I'm mistaken but when we purchased this the salesman told us "oh you have to purchase the Surge protector and the tv has to be plugged into it at all times". I've plugged it directly into the wall outlet now. SO if something happens with it now, who's responsible? Panasonic? what a waste of $4000

[Heavyclay]

If anyone is still following this fight please respond to me. I can use what ever help I can get right now! Whether you had a good warranty or bad warranty experience. I purchased a TC-P42G10 and had it running for one week.

I now have the red light of death that blinks seven times. . . In anyone's personal opinion or experience can they input that having a cracked plasma panel can be a by-product of this event? Lucky me I get the coincidence that both happened at the same time. Except I wasn't viewing the screen at time it happened. I fell asleep with the TV on and made sure to turn on the sleep timer before. When I got home from work the next day I found the TV in this condition.

No one is willing to help because it's no one's fault other than my own apparently. I bought it at BeachCamera.com. Their company Manna took care of shipping. I've spoke with everyone from above including panasonic and their local authorized repair center. No one is willing to say these happen at the same time or because one is caused by the other. I have the local tech for Panasonic coming to my home in a few days to "check it out." I'm curious to how someone's biased thoughts can determine how something broke?

Any insights? Please let me know, thank you

heavyclay@gmail.com

[Brad]

Will NEVER buy Panasonic again!! Waited 10 days for them to fix my TV.. Get it back and one day later its gone again! WTF!

[Esteban]

I brought Panasonic TH-50pz80u less then a year ago. The thing that its doing is when you turn it on it clicks but and then it clicks again and it blinks red. so when i push on the power button for 5 or 10 seconds sometimes it turns on but most it clicks and blinks red again. when it does turn on half of the screen is normal and the other goes light then dark then light any IDEAS?

please email me at Throttlejockeysport@hotmail.com

[Tom]

Just bought the panasonic 54 in. It had the blinking lights right out of the box. Returning it today. Not sure if im going to stick with panasonic now that I know about this issue.

[daniel morales o]

hi i have tv plasma phillips mod 42pf7320a/37 chasis bp2.3u aa turn on tv 30seg a 1min is off what i do for repair ? tank you

[Jim]

I have a 50" Panasonic Plasma (TH-50PZ80U), it is flashing ten times and I can not get Panasonic or a dealer to tell what the flashing led indicates, I know that this is a service message and I do not want to pay $100 plus for a service call (quotes for repair are running between $400 - $500)and then to find out it is a easy fix (replace a power board etc). Has anyone experiance this problem?

[Anti Panasonic]

All,

After getting the "10 blinks of death", I read this and other forums for help. I regret to report that after a lengthy process with Panasonic, I found the resolution to be unsatisfactory at best.

In short, they will cover 1/2 of $520 power supply replacement bill on a TV that is 15mos old. While pragmatically not a bad call on Panny's part, I disagree with their short-term view of this problem: I exepcted better from Panasonic.

Yes, 1 yr warranty is 1 yr warranty. However, as many of you pointed out, one does not expect this type of (wide spread problems) from a premium TV.

If you would like to approach Panasonic as a single voice of many dissapointed customers (who would likely think twice about buying another Panasonic TV), please send me an email with:

Your TV model
Purchase Date
How long before failure
Nature of failure (how many blinks)
Whether you are satisfied with resolution, if any
email address or any other contact info to be forwarded to Panasonic

to: panasonictvsucks @ gmail (sorry - a bit crass but wanted to get their attention)

I will forward any information to the famed "Team 10" in hopes that they will see first hand how they are destroying their brand. Perhaps this could result in a recall or at the minimum a better future treatment of the customers when their timebombs go off... into the blinking light of death.

BTW, I've always been a Pioneer bigot, purely because I preferred their picture quality. This was my first Panasonic (it fit perfectly into a TV slot where a Pioneer wouldn't). For what it's worth, I've enjoyed this Panny very much - great picture at what I thought was a good value. Too bad the honeymoon was so short lived.

Thanks!

[Len Wickens]

We have had out panasonic 42 for 10 months ans now it wont start at times The red light blinks 10 times.If I unplug it for 10min. some times it will start.Other times i have to unplug it several times.Once it starts it will run for as long as we want

[twitter.com/pattym]

bummer. same thing just happened to me, 18 month old set. can't wait to see what panasonic is saying these days.

[Efren]

your post is very informative, thanks for sharing it.

[Kathy]

Add me to the list. I just bought a Panasonic 50 INCH G-10 Plasmoa TV. I have had it one week and used it for 6 hours. I went to turn it on today and got red light blinking 7 times and a dead tv. 3 hours of phone calls/ holding/ etc Panasonic promptly scheduled a repair tech for next week, but I promptly called Best Buy where I purchased it and insisted that the set be replaced. It is under the 30 day return policy. I also have the extended warranty. Based on the posts above it looks like it was a good thing since the new one that is to come next Tuesday will likely fail at some point. :o( I am very unhappy about this!

[MattFed]

I bought a 46" TC-P46U1 a little over a month ago and now have the "seven blinks" power issue. Just contacted their concierge website to schedule a service appointment and we'll see how that goes. BTW, I picked out a 42" plasma for my mom's house (also a Panasonic) and it's been going strong for almost 2 years now. Nonetheless it's definitely a letdown to spend good money on a product with such good reviews only to have a problem that, in retrospect, seems fairly widespread (wish I'd found these posts before spending that money).
BTW -- don't waste your time calling the toll-free number unless you've got a lot of time to kill listening to hold music and being told how important your call is (maybe someone out there gets an ego boost from being told that, but it simply burns me up, especially after 20 minutes).

[derek]

I bought a 50" panasonic plasma. It worked for two days and now i just get a flashing red light.

[Mattfed27]

Follow-up to 12/07/09 post:
Techs showed up & took the malfunctiong unit, leaving a loaner (nice guys, even admitted there was a quality control issue - but only after it was apparent to them that I was aware of it). About a month later, I get a call from Panasonic stating that the unit was not repairable and would I prefer a refund, or wait for them to stock a new TV. I figured I'd wait since we have the loaner and I had gotten a good deal on the dead TV. Another month later now and another call from Panasonic -- a refund is being issued since they can't seem to come up with a new unit. Nice lady on the phone but I told her I would NOT be purchasing another Panasonic -- a shame since they do seem to have the best picture quality. End of story.

[J]

I purchased a brand new 42" S1 series panasonic. It worked find at first. Now after having it for only a month and a half the television shuts itself off and the light blinks eight times. I unplug the power and repug it in and that allows me to turn the television on, but within less than 30 minutes the television goes out again. I called panasonic twice (spending approx 45 mins on hold each time). Repairs are scheduled for this coming week and I will see if they resolve this issue. I see a lot of people posting that very few people have problems with their televisions. I don't believe that is the case. I have been reading about numerous people having these issues with their televisions and it seems obvious to me that Panasonic has some severe quality control issues. Whether or not I will ever buy another Panasonic in the future is going to depend on how quickly this issue is resolved and whether or not I have further technical issues with this television. I never had problems with a television before, but then again I never bought a panasonic before either.

[Ryan Liddell]

I bought a TH-42PZ700U in December of 2007 and got the red blinking light of death in September of 2009. Luckily I bought it on an AMEX card, which automatically doubles the 1 year manufacturers warranty. A Panasonic certified repair company in Seattle fixed it at a cost (not to me) of about $650. On March 11, 2010 (less than 6 months after the repair), I have the red blinking light of death again. 10 blinks both times. Never buying a Panasonic again.

[David DeSantis]

If you have a Panasonic 42" plasma and are having the red blinking light (7times) with no power problem all you have to do is call panasonic service and tell them your problem. They will send out a technician to fix it within a couple of days. There was no cost involved and yes my TV was out of warranty. Panasonic has discovered a electrical board issue and the error message you get when you turn on your TV is the power button blinks 6 times and then 7 each time until turn it off again. So hope is not lost, just call panasonic.

[Isanothertrend]

2010 people. 3 day old Panasonic 50' Viera G20, and a red light of death situation on my hand. Hello Best Buy, good bye Panny.

....sad when the picture quality was so beautiful.

[Alt]

Here is my experience. Not different from others. 2 year old 7 blinks - called Panasonic - useless people - saying that "this problem occurs 4-5% of the time only - so that is pretty darn good as it is uncommon" - sure - I wanted to tell the tech supprot guy if I killed my patients 4-5% of the times when I operate - I will be in jail. I see the blogs and am surprised the problem dates back to 2007 and nothing has been done to fix this recurring problem. there is no recall or repair from them. Now I have to shell out $500 from my pocket for the repairs! Never will buy this brand again.

[Alt]

Hi David DeSantis - Can you please guide me as to who and how did you approach Panasonic to get their tech to fix it - they gave me a cold shoulder and gave me a local repairman's number who will come for a charge!! Thanks.

[Account Deleted]

Today, every home and office is using electric appliances. Without electricity one cannot sustain as it has become a necessity for all of us. Plano is a big city that is filled with lots of electricians. But you need to look for a Plano Electrician who is experienced and licensed and is eligible to work in the electrical problem you have been suffering from.

[Hitejan]

I have a 2 year old Panasonic 50" Plasma (TH50PZ85U) that will not turn on. The power button is red and blinks 2 times, pauses, blinks 2 times, and on and on. I called Panasonic and the only thing they did was give me the name of the nearest repair service! I have tried unplugging the tv and at first it would come back on after maybe an hour. Since yesterday it will not come back on at all. I have tried different plugs, checked the circuit breaker, etc., to no avail. I called the repair service that was given to me and they will come out in several days for a service charge of $135, not counting the cost of the parts. I was not aware of the power supply problems with the Panasonics or I would NEVER have bought one. And this is the last Panasonic I will buy. They do not seem to be trying to help the consumers with this problem that keeps showing up with their TV's which is a darn shame. This was an expensive TV and I am truly disappointed.

[Anthony Palazzola]

Today's the day, no more Flea markets, no more Garage sales, I' am going right to
the stores that will it all, Circuit City.

I saved my nickels and I saved my dimes, gitty-up, gitty-up, my PANASONIC.....
It was the sure beauty of the Size ( 58" Plasma ) and the Picture that it presented,
that took me in. I bought the TH-58PZ700U back in August of 2007 for the price
of $4,199.99 Not taking any chances with this hard earned money, I bought the
Promo Package which included:
Three year protection Plan 1 year manufacture / 2 years extended 449.99 TV mounts 552.49
Premium Wall Flat Panel Installation 719.99
Sony DVD / Blue Ray 285.00
Video Cables 121.48
Monster Power supply 359.99
Universal Remote Control Unit 134.99
Triab TV mounts 168.99
Home Installation 129.99
One Hour Labor / Flat Panel Install 75.00
Delivery charge 59.99
Michigan Sales Tax 335.88
=======
$####.##
I will let you add it up, because it still hurts.

My thoughts where, that if anything would go wrong with this Unit, it would be,
because of someone running into it, or a power storm. This is why, I bought the
equipment to have the unit mounted on the wall and also the Power supply unit.

My Television went out on me March 15, 2011 , so much for the Promo Protection Plan.
The TV was running, then it went out, flashing (7) Red blinks. I was watching, Gibbs
pressed up against the bulkhead by Kate, during an emergency blow onboard a
United States Submarine. The TV show I was watching, was N.C.I.S. on the USA channel.
(Naval Criminal Investigation Service)

Maybe there a service out there, that would take care of this problem. Panasonic was aware of this, don't let them fool us.

My repair man came out to my house for only $110.00, went right to the set,with a smile, turned it on, and said " Awe yes, this famous six to seven blinks" He then called his boss on the phone. I then asked him " This must be a common repair, what is the problem ? " He then informed me that it's one of the boards back in the unit. He couldn't tell which one, or even offer too. He just told me, " that his office would call me back with a quote and if I would accept the quote, I would have to take the unit off of the wall, so that they could replace the unidentified board."
Yes, I through in one word, Unindentified.

The quote came back to me within the hour. $500.00 - $600.00 Still no answer to my question.
What board is it, is this truly the problem, what if, this board is not the problem?

They seem to think that it is. Which only concludes, that this is not the first time that something like this has happen.

Doug, I have no more money to throw away. I would love to try your reamedy. Question ?
Would your repair be the same for the TH-58PZ700U model? If you are still keeping up with this blog, please share with us all. I'm sure their's more of us out there with the same problem.

We've all committed ourselves to the high pitch of the Panasonic family. We are all going down with the ship together.

With Panasonic giving us a six to seven blink good-bye.

This is not right.......

Tony

[Account Deleted]

i have just the same problem . i live in khandala lonavala how can i get some help