Home audio & video: Sony Bravia LCD TV KDL40S2000 Standby Mode & Inverter Board

Sony Bravia LCD TV KDL40S2000 Standby Mode & Inverter Board

I have a Sony Bravia LCD TV KDL40S2000 and use it with Comcast Cable Service and an Onkyo sound system. It is about 18 months old but we hardly watch it, so it is essentially new. Everything runs through a high quality surge protector (except, ever since the last time that we rearranged the wiring, the incoming cable itself runs directly into the cable box, not through the surge protector).

Two nights ago, our Comcast Cable TV service was down for two hours. Simultaneously, the TV went into a “STANDBY” mode, blinking in a series of four blinks. After a while, we called to ask how long it would be. They explained that their DVR system had crashed again and they had to install new software and it would automatically reboot when they were done. I had never noticed the “Standby” status on our TV before, so I asked why our TV had gone into “Standby”. They explained that that was common and it should all come back after the system upgrade had been installed. It didn’t.

It seems too coincidental that an essentially new TV would just “happen to” break at the same minute as the cable system went down. I have since been in much communication with Comcast and they insist that it could not be related. Sony suggested that we reset the TV by unplugging it for 60 seconds and try again unplugging it for an hour before plugging it directly into the wall. Because it did not “Reset”, they said that it would have to be brought in for service.

Talking to “Sony Service” I learned that it will be $100 + another $50 to diagnose toward a most likely need for a new “inverter board” billed out a $400+. I have done some Internet surfing to learn that this model also had a software glitch on models produced prior to 11/2005 but that that likely does not apply to my TV. I also learned that this is one of many Sony models, which have early inverter board failures. Cited: Inverter Board Service Bulletin: Model: KDL40S2000: Document ID/Event ID: E33166803.

1.) What is the likelihood that this was caused by a surge/ spike from Comcast? If so, would it be worth pursuing and would we have ANY possible chance of proving that? If it was caused by Comcast, even if they would not admit it, how likely would it be to happen again?

2.) Could this have been caused by not having run the cable through the surge protector?I am pretty mechanically/ electronically handy. Would it be reasonable to presume that this is most likely the cause and that I could fix it by replacing the board myself?

3.) Any suggestions on where to get the replacement board or, more importantly, I ask this as related to noticing that some places pull the board out of an “existing working unit”. Wouldn’t it matter significantly whether this part is new or not?

4.) I figure that I could save about $300 if I could do this myself but I do not have access to this Service Bulletin which lists the inverter board part number for each model. Below are the part names I have located for the most commonly replaced parts for this model KDL 40S2000. I am not familiar with what all of them are. What would be the Sony name for the Inverter Board or the non-Sony descriptor? Is there any other part that might be the culprit?

Sony AU Signal Board 1-869-849-12
Sony B Board 1-869-852-12
Sony Cables / Ribbons
Sony G2 Power supply unit 1-869-027-12
Sony H1 Key Board 1-869-855-12
Sony H2 Board 1-869-854-12
Sony IR Remote Sensor 1-869-857-12
Sony Key Control Board 1-869-855-12
Sony LCD Controller 400WSC4LV0.4
Sony Power Supply Unit 1-869-027-12
Sony QM Board 1-868-963-11
Sony QS COMPLETE PC BOARD 1-868-963-11
Sony QT Tuner Board 1-869-519-11
Sony Side AV Input 1-869-854-12

or, from the Sony Site:
https://servicesplus.us.sony.biz/PartsPLUSResults.aspx?sType=parts&PageNum=1
178949911 LCD PWB FOR REPAIR (T-CON )
178949921 CONTROL MT BOARD
178950221 LCD PWB FOR REPAIR (BACK LIGHT)
178950231 LCD PWB FOR REPAIR (BACK LIGHT)

I figure that it is more helpful to offer all of the details and questions up front. Thank you in advance for any possible help toward any part of this inquiry with which you may have knowledge.