Author: snoopdrew
HLP6163 flickered with weird colors and loud humming
Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
Yesterday, I noticed that my HLP6163 started flickering a lot with colors totally off. I tried switching video inputs and I kept getting the same thing. So I turned it off, let it sit for about a half hour, and then turned it back on. I got sound but no video as the tv cycled through 3 times automatically of turning it off and on, and on each attempt I could hear the fan (or at least that’s what I think it is) struggle to turn on properly, until finally I got the dreaded 3 blinking lights. I turned it off again, only this time by pulling out the power cord as well. This morning, I plugged it back in, turned it on, and the tv cycled 3 times just like yesterday, but the faint fan noise was now a loud, distinct humm that pitched up and down. I have no idea what’s wrong. I suspect it to be the lamp, but I just got a new one put in on 8/17/07 (BP9600826A from samsungparts.com) and I’ve never heard of this loud humming noise before. From reading the posts, maybe I need to get a new fan or colorwheel as well?
Sounds like the bearings in your color wheel are failing. They are cheaply made. If it doesn’t come up to speed, the lamp will not light. I just replaced one in mine for that same problem.
Bob
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From your description, you definitely have a ColorWheel issue. Typically, the ColorWheels last about as long as a lamp. When you change a lamp, it is a good idea to change the ColorWheel. That “fan” noise you hear is indeed the ColorWheel, and the various pitch is your driver trying to get the ColorWheel in sync which is obviously not happening. Sorry I don’t have better news.
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It’s the color wheel. Mine just shattered! - after making such a noise (hum, stop, hum, stop - break). How hard is it to change a color wheel?
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