I have an old sony crt tv
recently it has a few episodes of turning on but without any image (sound can be heard). It subsequently recovers on its own.

Now when it is powered up, there is only a clicking sound from the back of the tv set but no image or sound at all?

What's wrong and what can be done?

Thanks

john, January 2005

If you have a continuous ticking sound coming from the back of the tv, known as "hiccupping", chances are that the fault would be the line transistor. This is a common fault and only needs replacing, however check for dry joints especially round the yoke plug, this could cause the same problem again.

Allan, January 2005

Intermittent picture at start up is usually dry soldered joints.
On older Sony's, there will likely be multiple dry joints around the low voltage power regulators, frame output and UHF Tuner/IF.

Dead and tripping, could be related to crystallised or dry soldered joints eventually causing failure of a regulator or other semi-conductor, although this fault may be unrelated. The TV is basically trying to turn on but sensing excessive current probably due to a short circuit component(s) and switching off to protect itself. This repeats rapidly causing the clicking.

Could be a little costly to put right. It's always best to get your TV checked as soon as possible, if it doesn't appear to be operating correctly. Resoldering after the first sign of a fault, (the intermittent no picture), may have saved you a more expensive repair.

Could be a time consuming repair, so expect perhaps £50-£90 repair costs and it should only be repaired by a qualified person.

Cobweb, January 2005