HI, I have a Harmon Kardon AVR 80, which suddenly stopped working, but it comes on when I tap the sides gently. First I thought it was the swith problem but later one mechanic said it is a relay problem. Please help

Pothian, October 2010

I should have added that the relay's can sometimes be cleaned if you can get the cover off. Some times they kinda clip together. The contacts corrode/burn sometimes.

Anyhow, as an update my receiver actually has two problems. The first issue where it would turn off appears to be gone - I resoldered all of the connections on the power distribution board. The problem where it turns on on TV mode is based on the Auto TV mode "feature". Basically if the thing is turned off and it receives a signal on the TV Video Input connector it powers on, and when there is no signal for 5 mins it shuts off. Well, mine gets a phantom connection on that circuit. Shouldn't be hard to disable the Auto TV mode "feature". And that should make mine good to go.

Dave, November 2010

If you take off the cover and look in the rear of the case (near where the power cord goes in) you will see a small printed circuit board. On this board (which is the power distribution board essentially.) you will see a glass fuse, next to the glass fuse is a black rectangular "box" made of plastic. It is directly next to the rear power outlets. This is the relay responsible for the high power parts of the receiver.

Mine has a similar but different issue. Turns off randomly, then sometimes it also turn on randomly on TV mode. Sometimes when it turns off you either have to bang the side, or wait and it will randomly turn back on. So far my problem appears to be on the front control board that controls the front display and on/off button and all of the buttons on the front of the receiver.

Dave, November 2010