LG RU52SZ51D Bulb or something else

[oc63rag]

I've searched through the archives here and can't find an answer to this. I have an LG (listed above) and I'm trying to figure out if the bulb went out or if it's possible something else. I'm on the third bulb (OSRAM #4930V00301) and this one lasted about 16 months. Last night the TV was on with no problems and suddenly the bulb indicator light went red and the screen went black and the TV shut off. There was still sound but the sound had a slight crackle to it but it's been crackly for a few months now.
I pulled the bulb out and it looks perfect. There is no visible sign of damage or burning. Could the bulb be burned out and still look fine?
I don't want to buy a new lamp just to find out it's the ballast or something else.
When I try to turn it on now, the indicator light for the bulb with blink red 5 times and then it shuts off.
Thanks for any help.

[BYO]

Hi,

Could the bulb be burned out and still look fine?
Yes it can.

I don't want to buy a new lamp just to find out it's the ballast or something else.
When I try to turn it on now, the indicator light for the bulb with blink red 5 times and then it shuts off.

Your previous bulb was a OSRAM, which is a good quality bulb, but not the best out there in the market. Osram bulbs have a lifespan for about 2500 - 4500 hrs, there is a good chance that in 16 months you already reached that limit.

95% of the time when the lamp indicator light is flashing, replacing the lamp resolves the situation, the other 5% could be something else preventing the lamp to ignite. Still in order to troubleshoot that 5% we need to change the lamp first.

In this case I will recommend you to get a better quality lamp such as Philips (lifespan of 6000 - 8000 hrs) and also a new ballast. And your TV will look just like when it was brand new.

You can buy the Philips lamp here:
http://www.discount-merchant.com/Zenith ... 1&CartID=0
Here is a list of the Zenith TV Models compatible with the 6912B22007A lamp:
RU44SZ51D, RU44SZ61D, RU44SZ63D, RU52SZ51D, RU52SZ61D, RE44SZ51D, RE44SZ61D, RE44SZ63D, RE52SZ51D, RE52SZ61D, RU52SZ63D, RE52SZ63D

And this might be your ballast:
http://www.discount-merchant.com/LG-ZNN ... 189981.htm
Just confirm part #'s are the same
ZNN1826836, 3678880027
and that it looks exactly the same
http://photos.discount-merchant.com/pho ... id=1189981

Regards,

[oc63rag]

I ended up replacing the lamp (bulb?) and all is well. It's fine now. I'll keep in mind the tip about the ballast as well.
Thanks for the reply

[BYO]

anytime 8-)