Sony forum: SONY KDL-40W4100 No image, please help

Hello all,

I purchased my 40w4100 new in the fall of 2008.

Everything perfect, no issues.

In the summer of 2009 I started having an issue with the TV where the image would disappear from the display, no matter the input, while retaining the sound and back-light. This would geneaqlly happen after the TV was being used for 5-10 minutes. The image would sometimes pop on and off, but if left on, would generally stay off. This carried on for 3-4 weeks, where I'd only be able to use the television around 50% of the time when I wanted to.

It was a very busy time in my life, so I did not get around to using the warranty. after about a month of this malfunction the TV started working perfectly again. I finally moved out of Manhattan in September of 2009 and at that time called Sony to notify them of the issue.

Unfortunately, since it was towards the end of my warranty period, and since I could no longer replicate the problem, I was convinced by SONY to not do anything, and that if it happened again, since they made a note of the issue, they would still honor my warranty even though the device would be out of the initial factory warranty.

The TV worked fine all year until the summer of 2010, when it started doing the exact same thing, no video image on any input after a few minutes of usage. back light and sound still on.

Shockingly, SONY would not help me out because my original factory warranty had been expired. This problem continued for 2-3 weeks and then disappeared just as soon as it had come.

TV works fine for an entire year and then unbelievably starts doing the exact same thing in the summer of 2011. After 3 or so weeks, TV works fine, up until now.

Now its doing the same thing, however after a minute or so, even the back light turns off. TV image wont come on at all now, even though tv is clearly on, no matter what input, or if it's hot or cold.

Does anyone know what's going on?

Has anyone seen this before?

I build computers for fun, and don't mind soldering, is there any chance I need to just replace an inverter or something?

Is there a more appropriate forum for this sort of question? I had been using this as a monitor for my PC, so it's extra annoying and I'd really like to get it fixed without having to replace the unit.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kyle