Archive through August 15, 2007

Bronze Member

Username: Blueblobwega

Post Number: 13
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 06:40 pm:

Well, 9 months after my blobs appeared and a ton of grief from Sony refusing to cover the repair--Sony has now agreed to fix my KDF-42WE655 (Nov.04) based on their latest extended service memo noted above.

I called the local shop on 6-25 per Sony's instruction to have the set evaluated--5 seconds in the door he said you've got a bad light engine.[duh] He was clueless about the extended coverage so I quickly brought him up to speed. Don't these "authorized" service centers get service update bulletins from Sony? Hell most of Sony's own customer service reps don't know about this until you lead them by the nose to the extended coverage memo.

Anyway, he said he would still have to verify the coverage through his tech line but he would get back with me that day. He then asked me for a $125 trip charge for coming to "evaluate" the TV. As politely as I could, I refused to pay him telling him that this was Sony's dirty bath water and that he should bill them for this trip--as I ALREADY knew what the problem was and certainly wasn't paying anyone for an unnecessary trip. He called his boss--said "whatever" and left. Bottom line---refuse to pay anything if your TV has this issue and is listed in the bulletin.

The tech called today and said the part (optical block) was in and we're scheduled to have him come next week. So...so far so good.

As for those of you that Sony is trying to shaft just because your set is a 2003 model---fight that one. BBB, SERC etc.. As a rule, most state law governing your rights under warranties etc.. base the coverage period from date of purchase--NOT manufacture. They can claim only certain models all they want in their memos--but should this come to small claims or arbitration all you'd need to is prove that it's the same part and same problem of the one's they've already fixed.

Good luck

Relevant Product Info

David Wilkerson

New member

Username: Dwilkers

Post Number: 8
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 07:23 pm:

Cheryl-

I am to go to sonystyle.com, and pick out 2-3 TV's I would
consider using in this offer. Then I need to go to my local Sony
dealer and narrow it down to one TV. Next, I have to call Paul and
give him the model# of that TV. He will then send the info on to Sony
Exchange. I will receive a call from SE telling me how much I can then
pay for that TV.

That is the exact same line we were given. The person from ERC said it would be depreciated, but when we got handed off the deal soured by about $700. We went with a KDF-50E3000 Bravia.

Expect the deal to be one thing when you settle with ERC, then expect hard bargaining with the exchange department. Don't give up without extracting at least a couple hundred bucks out of them - that's what we had to do to get where we are now. They initially wanted $700, but I got so angry and was hanging up and the guy said "what if I could put you in XYZ for $500?".

So take a deep breath if you don't enjoy that sort of haggling, get a nice cup of tea and just be firm. As far as we can tell what they were willing to do was give us the equivalent of the money it would cost them for the part only in credit. Don't settle for less than that if you can avoid it.

One nice thing that sold us on the KDF-50E3000 is that while being an 8" larger screen (plus 1080p) the actual set is physically slightly smaller than our existing 42" set.

Bernardo

New member

Username: Unclesalty

Post Number: 1
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 09:22 pm:

C. Fiori and Krista Welch,
I am also a member of your club, my set looks just like yours, here is my story, in Febuary of 2004, against all my wifes threats, I purchased a brand new KDF-60XBR950 from sony,it finally arrived in early March and I was in love, incredible Hd picture, there was only 1 set better at the time and it was the 70 inch model but I didnt have the room, anyway 11 months later just before the super bowl in HD the bulb went and so did another $225, runnin total $5625, moving on to august of 2005 and 18 months of ownership I had a blue blob on the right side of the set, I was 6 months out of warranty and my wife was going nuts, I called an authorized service guy around me he came and said it was the optical block to call sony and see if I could get them to help, $75 for this advice and diagnosis, running total $5700, well to my suprise it was not that hard to get them to cover the part, at that time it was listed at almost $1200, all I had to do was pay the service guy $200 to install it, running total $5900, 2006 add another bulb $225, running total $6125, finally early june 2007, blue blod left side of screen I called the service guy and he remembered me and told me on the phone it was the optical block again, he knew because Sony was having alot of problems with them, he told me to call them again, that advice was free, lucky me, I called and spoke to an agent and after awhile on the phone he said they had just issued a service bulletin and it would be covered to call my service man and tell him about the new bulletin, I said shouldnt he already know about it and he said maybe not as it had just recently come out, I called the service guy the next day and he looked for it and said he found the bulletin but it was not dor my model, if I didnt mention it the blue blob this time had stuck pixels with it growing in number every day, I made another call to sony and a more informed rep informed me after 10 minutes on hold that my service guy was right and the bulletin did not include my model number, they where covering all the lower end sets but not my $5000 XBR set, only if it was the road mapping, not the blue blob, well anyway thats it and am not going to give up, I am going to hound them until they make me happy, or my wife kills me, whatever comes first.

Cheryl Bisson

New member

Username: Cheryljean

Post Number: 4
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 10:08 pm:

David-

Thanks for the info. Paul would not give me any idea of what the $ amount might be for my TV. He said that was up to SE, and the amount is "based on many different factors".

Because my TV goes in an entertainment center I am limited to 41" in TV width. I am also toying with the idea of trading for a flat panel TV rather than a rear projection which I am sure will increase my $x cost from Sony.

I have to do my homework this weekend, and re-enter the battle on Monday!

Thanks again, to you, and everyone, for your input on this forum. It has really helped me plan my strategy for this battle. I'll let you know what happens.

Tim Zagorc

New member

Username: Timzagorc

Post Number: 9
Registered: Apr-07

Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 03:24 pm:

Okay - here's my update on trying to get my set fixed under the "blue dot or star pattern" additional service coverage.
I called Sony who told me to call my authorized service provider (ASP) and have them go through the "service alert" process to have this covered.
I called my ASP who said they are unaware of this announcement and I have to call Sony to get an authorization number.
I called Sony back and was told they do not give authorization numbers to consumers and to tell the ASP they need to review their service alerts and call their Sony technical assistance line to understand how to process this repair and coverage.
I called my ASP back and relayed the message from Sony that they need to check their service alerts and call Sony technical assistance to set this up. My ASP sounded like they didn't know what I was talking about even after giving them the link to the Sony annoucnement page. They said they will have a field tech call Sony tomorrow get it all processed properly. I'm guessing there is a 50/50 chance that will happen, but I'll keep you updated.
Thanks again to all on this board for all your help and advice.
Keep up the pressure!

New member

Username: Edenney

Post Number: 8
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 08:31 pm:

Repair update:

I just happened to stumble across the Optical Block announcement the same day that Sony placed it on their website, and immediately called a Sony service center that same day (the 23rd of June) to request the repair. They had coincidentally been to my house the previous week to assess and pick up a Sony KLV23M1 that was having somewhat similar problems, and at the time I had them glance at my KDF-55WF655 to confirm my problem was the Optical Block even though I already knew it was from a previous failure (I hadn't found this forum yet).

Since I was able to tell them that their service reps had already seen and confirmed my problem when they picked up my other TV, I didn't have to go through the formality of a service call just to confirm what I already knew. Anyway, they allegedly ordered the Optical Block the same day, although they called me back on Monday or Tuesday (25th or 26th) to ask for a description of the problem that apparently Sony needed before they would send the part. I had already described the problem on Saturday so I was a little irritated about the wasted time since obviously Sony hadn't shipped anything yet, and I had even offered to pay for expedited shipping to get it here right away.

I called the service center again on Friday June 29th and was told that the parts for both my TVs were in and that they would call me on either Sat. June 30th or Monday July 2nd to schedule the repair . After not receiving any call, I called them back Monday and this person told me that the Optical block was not in, only the part for my 23" Sony, and that they were waiting for the part for my 55" to arrive before repairing the 23" so that they could just deliver both at the same time. I was really unhappy about this because I was essentially being punished for using the same service center for both of my TVs. The person also couldn't tell me anything about the status of my replacement Optical Block, my case #, or any shipping information, and nobody was around that could.

The person I spoke to said he would have the manger call me the next day, which was a week ago. I called them back today, and after explaining everything to the same person that originally told me my parts were in for both TVs back on the 29th, she put me on hold and the manager got on the phone. He said he was on vacation for a week and didn't know why someone told me he would call me last Tuesday when they knew he was gone, but he knew who I was and knew about my case.

He told me that they went ahead and repaired my 23" TV last week, but that they were waiting until they came to repair my 55" Sony to bring me my 23". I asked him the status of the Optical Block and he told me it was on back order from Sony. When I asked him the ETA he said they were on backorder until the end of the month!

So, that makes it at least 5 weeks from the time I requested repair for my Optical Block until it's supposed to come in, which makes me REALLY unhappy knowing that I was one of the very first to see the Sony service bulletin and request my repair, and at least some others who had requested their repair AFTER I did have already gotten their Optical Blocks replaced. It also means they were planning on just sitting on my 23" Sony for another 3-4 weeks because they didn't want to go out of their way to bring it to my house. I made it clear this was unacceptable, and allegedly they're going to bring it to me later this week.

Needless to say I'm NOT pleased with this service center the way they've handled my cases, and I'm especially not pleased with the fact that I have to stare at my huge, blue TV for another month. This is certainly Sony's fault for not being prepared for what anyone with a 5th grade education would have known would be a run on the Optical Blocks the moment they issued the service bulletin. OBVIOUSLY they're aware of the magnitude of the problem or they wouldn't have broken down and issued it in the first place, and logic dictates that there's a very large backlog of people who have been waiting for the repair until Sony agreed to pay for it.

Just one more reason to be unhappy about the way Sony has handled this whole thing. I'll update the status of my repair as soon as something changes. In the meantime I'm interested to hear from anyone else who has requested this repair, when they requested it, and when the repair was completed.

Cheryl Bisson

New member

Username: Cheryljean

Post Number: 5
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 - 12:21 pm:

KDFE42A10 needing new b block

Success! and only because of all of you taking the time to participate in this forum. Thank you, and thank you to our host!

Recap: $1800 TV 4 months out of warranty, only used 11 months, and needed $1190 in repairs. I was very unhappy and called Sony Customer Service. I was passed on to Sony second level of customer service who offered $595 discount in repairs. I declined and wrote a letter to Executive Review Committee. The ERC offered an exchange giving some value to my old TV as a credit toward a TV I picked from sonystyle.com.

I chose a Bravia LCD flat panel HD 1080p model KDL40V2500 listed on the web site at $2500, but reduced to $2000. Through internet research I found that this model is soon to be replaced. Internet research also showed that I could buy it for as low as $1550 with no tax, no shipping, and locally for $1700 plus tax.

At Sony Exchange I talked to a very nice lady by the name of Jackie. I am buying the TV for $684 + tax which is not much more than my share of the repair estimate. The delivery will include unpacking the TV, putting it in place, and plugging it in to make sure all is OK.

I had some delivery issues that had to be resolved and Jackie solved those to my complete satisfaction.

I wish all of you success in your battles with Sony. We are having an effect!

Tim Zagorc

New member

Username: Timzagorc

Post Number: 10
Registered: Apr-07

Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 - 02:01 pm:

I'm in shock (and finally quite pleased). Someone from Sony ERC staff in Fort Myers actually called me today to say they had reviewed my letter again and my blue blobs and stars will be fully covered under the additional warranty. They even called my local authorized service provider to give them the okay and ordered the part for me. I have been going back and forth with Sony customer service and my local service provider since the 6/23 announcement was posted. This person today was calling from a different office where it appears they are getting proactive about contacting people who have called or written in with the blob problem.
Again, I thank all on this board for your help and advice.

New member

Username: Edenney

Post Number: 9
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 - 06:29 pm:

Cheers for those of you who have recently received a measure of success in getting your TVs repaired or exchanged. As it happens, the repairmen are here right now to replace the Optical Block on my KDF-55WF655.

From my previous posts you'll see that I was getting poor service from the service center in L.A. handling the repairs on both this TV and my 23" Sony LCD

. However, the day after the manager told me that the Optical Block has been on back order (something I'm skeptical of, I requested my repair the same day they made the announcement), and would be back ordered until the end of July, he told me that the part was NOW in stock and arriving the following day.

In any event, it's here and being replaced, and for those of you wondering, I've been told by someone in a position to know at Sony Worldwide Support that the Optical Block has been reengineered and should not fail as it has been. This forum IS being monitored by Sony and they are certainly well aware of our issues, and it doesn't surprise me that some of you have recently found success in getting your issues resolved.

Nobody here is trying to get something for nothing, we all just our TVs to work as well as anyone would expect them to. I think Sony has finally come to terms with the problem and the possible damage it could cause to their reputation, and they're working to head this off and satisfy everyone. Word of mouth travels very fast in the age of the internet

.

For anyone who is still experiencing problems or has a similar model TV with this same issue which wasn't reportedly covered in this extended warranty bulletin (we know there are 2004 models not covered with the same exact problem), keep after it and you'll get it repaired or exchanged. Don't settle for paying ANYTHING if you have a TV with a defective Optical Block.

(YAY! The TVs fixed and the blue blob is finally gone!)

C Fiori

New member

Username: Cfiori

Redwood City, CA

Post Number: 2
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 - 06:59 pm:

Just thought I'd pass along an update on my quest to get my KDF-55WF655 blue star/dot problem fixed, which at this point has completely engulfed my entire screen in blue. At the end of last week I finally decided to call the local sony servicer back since I hadn't heard from them in almost a week. I was told that based on the photos that I had sent to her that she had just heard back from her sony support contact and that in fact my problem was covered by the service bulletin and that they had ordered the part. I am sure that it didn't take a Rhodes Scholar to look at the thousands of blue dots in my photos and determine that I did in fact have the blue star/dot problem as outlined in the 6/23 service bulletin.

I am now waiting for them to receive the part at which time she said I would be called to have an appointment scheduled. Of course she had no idea how long it would take to receive the replacement optical block. I suppose another call back to the local sony servicer in another day or two to find out the status would probably be prudent since I got the feeling that If I hadn't called last week to check on the status that I might have still been waiting to her from them about whether my issue is covered or not.

I will post again after my TV has been fixed to let you all know the outcome.

Stephan Halper

New member

Username: Smh212

Post Number: 1
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 12:07 pm:

I recently had what appears to be a green "etch-a-sketch" appear on my Sony LCD projection, model #KF-50WE610. I have attached a picture of what I see on my screen. Can this be solved by changing the bulb? I have a spare XL-2100U bulb.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Steve Linke

New member

Username: Slinke

Post Number: 9
Registered: May-07

Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 12:32 pm:

Stephan, there is currently no picture attached, but this sounds like the scribble/random line issue, requiring replacement of your optical block. This is covered by a Sony extended service bulletin, even if it is out of warranty. See my web page for more details:
http://splinke.googlepages.com/sonyrearprojectionlcdtv-opticalblock

Cheryl Bisson

New member

Username: Cheryljean

Post Number: 6
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 12:39 pm:

Go to www.esupport.sony.com, click News and Alerts, enter your model #, and click search. The search result will answer your problem, I hope. Note the manufacture years that are covered, and Sony's deadline. Good luck!

Travis L

New member

Username: Travis_l

TX

Post Number: 4
Registered: Apr-07

Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 12:53 pm:

My TV (KDF-55WF655) was repaired on Thursday evening. The two guys came to fix it, turned it on to verify it was the blue blob issue, took it apart, fixed it and hooked everything back up in less than 20 minutes. My TV is like new again. It's now brighter in addition to the lack of blue blobs. I had just started getting the star effect as more little stars were showing up. 4 of those in total in addition to the really big blob in the corner.

I did ask the guys if this problem would return in another 2 years and they said that it would not. They said that the cause of the issue had been addressed in the new optical blocks. I guess only time will tell.

Thanks to everyone on this forum for your efforts to get Sony to recognise and cover this issue!

Stephan Halper

New member

Username: Smh212

Post Number: 2
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 02:34 pm:

Steve and Cheryl,

Thanks for your help!

Bernardo

New member

Username: Unclesalty

Post Number: 2
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 07:33 pm:

Well got a call about 4:30 this afternoon from sony executive committee to inform me they had reviewed my case and where going to cover the repair fully, so I called my local authorized service guy and he told me he already had been contacted by Sony and he would call when he got the part to schedule the repair, Sony is back in my good graces, you pay a little more money but its worth it, guess I will buy the,60" BRAVIA� XBR� series SXRD� Rear Projection HDTV Model Number: KDS-Z60XBR5 , when it comes out in September. In the meantime I will enjoy my soon to be repaired KDF-60XBR950, thank you Sony

New member

Username: Dennis_l

Post Number: 1
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 01:27 pm:

After reading about everyone having the same type of problem with their Sony LCD TV. I two have had to resort to letter writing to obtain satifaction. My letter is based on what I have seen here. I will let you all know what if anything Sony will do for me.

July 18, 2007

Executive Review Committee
Sony Corporation
12451 Gateway Blvd
Fort Myers, Fl 33913

Re: Sony KF-50WE610 Defective Optical Engine
Event ID # E34728414

Dear Madam or Sir:

For many years I have confidently purchased Sony products. I am writing to you today to ask for your assistance.

As a loyal Sony customer I purchased a Sony television model # KF-50WE610, serial # 9174587 from REX on August 10, 2004 (copy of receipt attached).

It was my first purchase of a HDTV and a huge leap for us to spend that amount of money on a television. I also purchased a Sony DAVC7700 DVD Surround Sound at the same time for my home entertainment system. I have also purchased several Sony products in the past including two Vaio computers, Play station, and Trinitron TV�s, having had excellent service from these products. So when we decided to take the leap and buy a new HDTV we knew what brand we could count on to be good quality and give us the service we were paying for: Sony. When we bought our new 50" Sony LCD we didn't even consider a different manufacturer.

The television worked well for almost 3 years. Then over the last couple of months something odd happened. Across the top of the screen a blue blob or haze developed extending into the right side of the screen. Simple troubleshooting of the attached components demonstrated that the problem was the television itself rather than some other attached component.

We started researching the problem on the internet and quickly learned that many, many others that own this and similar Sony models have the identical or similar problems, apparently caused by a part called the "Optical Engine" which Sony knows is of defective manufacture or design. Sony has issued extended warranty coverage for the Optical Engine�s failure until September 30, 2007, albeit for a somewhat different set of symptoms described as �Road Mapping�.

When I contacted Sony at the number provided in the TV manual the answering rep immediately knew what I was talking about and advised the TV needed to be diagnosed by a Sony repair shop for a possible new Optical Engine. She gave me incident reference ID # E34728414 but informed me Sony would only cover the repair if it was the �road mapping� condition with pictures of this posted on your web site under my model, if it wasn�t this condition Sony would not cover the repair.

I was referred to Frank�s TV my local Sony repair facility, their technician Ray came to my home and inspected the TV. He said that the blue blob condition on my screen will continue to grow as it has from the time it was initially noticed, until it completely covers the screen. The fix is to replace the Optical Engine, also advising that they see this condition more than the �road mapping� condition on this type of TV. Sony at this time is only offering to fix the �road mapping� condition, although the same defective part causes both problems. I have obtained an estimate of repair $1597.50 from them (copy attached).

This is a known defect in quality, manufacture or design, a defect acknowledged by Sony on a very high priced item sold to me as Sony Quality. One would certainty expect a TV to last more that this amount of time under normal use.

Since this part is known to be of defective manufacture or design and acknowledged as such by Sony I am asking that Sony cover this known defective part replacement in full - parts and labor - and restore my confidence in the Sony brand.

My experience is that Sony normally manufactures products of the highest possible quality and stands behind their products fully so I look forward to a favorable response from you to this request.

Thank you in advance for your help and consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Dennis Lipofsky

Attachments:

* Purchase Receipt
* Estimate

Bronze Member

Username: Blueblobwega

Post Number: 14
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 02:54 pm:

Dennis---

As of Jun. 23 this defect is covered.
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?news_id=206

Call your shop back and they can get the part ordered and will repair your set no charge.

Bronze Member

Username: Blueblobwega

Post Number: 15
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 02:59 pm:

You may need to play a little hard ball with them given the model number---but it's the same part and I'm sure the BBB will have your back getting them to cover this.

Craig Smith

New member

Username: Craig_smith

Post Number: 1
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 12:25 am:

I have a KDF-50we655 purchase 6/2005 and am having problems as well. I have purple fingerprint like dots apearing on the screen. I took the tv to an ASP and they diagnosed it as a optical block failure. However, he checked with sony and since it is not blue star/blob or road mapping it is not covered. Has anyone else ran across this problem? Also would you all recommend pursuing this further with sony. I talked to 1st and 2nd level customer support but got the "sorry sony will not be able to assist you" line. The ASP said it was definetly an optical block failure. Any suggestions would help thanks.

New member

Username: Edenney

Post Number: 10
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 12:55 am:

If you could, please post a picture or two of your TV here, taken against a background color that shows off the problem well. Sounds like it's certainly related to the same core defect, even if it's manifesting itself in a slightly different way on your TV. If we saw pictures it would almost certainly be obvious.

In any event, if it's the Optical Block as it surely is, and the problem is similar to everyone else's, you will almost certainly get some measure of justice at the end of the day. Most likely a new Optical Block fully covered, you just need to stay after it and write letters to the right people. Look back at some of the recent posts for more information.

V.Ana Balogh

New member

Username: Vvbalogh

Post Number: 1
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 07:43 pm:

I have a Sony DF-50WE610 and we are experiencing several spots on the screen. I tend to describe them as "shadow" looking. They aren't really a color, just a dark spot. They are in the same spot on the TV screen all the time and are most noticable when the background is a very light color. They are even there when we are watching DVD's. We had a repair man out but I don't think he had a clue about anything. I was told to get new cables (which we did). I am curious as to whether anyone thinks this is also associated to the Optical block problem.

New member

Username: Dennis_l

Post Number: 2
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 12:45 pm:

Blue Blog Wega

Thank you for your response. I checked out the web link to Sony you posetd that would cover my set. The problem my set has is exactly what they have posted for conditions they are covering now until December 2008, but my model is not one of them "yet".
Yet the Optical Block is the failed part in all the sets, so hopefully Sony will step up and fix it.

Dave Laut

New member

Username: Dlester1

Post Number: 1
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2007 - 12:54 am:

Regarding the Blue Pattern or Blue Blob issues on our 2003 Sony Grand Wega KF50WE610, it is not covered by Sony�s additional service coverage for blue pattern:

Thanks to the many individual posts of this extremely helpful thread, my wife and I borrowed examples / tips and executed a procedure that resulted in a rather fair deal from Sony. For our cost of $ 508 + tax, Sony will send us a brand new 40� Sony Bravia 1080p (KDL40V2500) TV. Not too bad considering to fix our 2003 Grand Wega, a new optical block costs $1126.91, tax on the block = $81.70, labor to install = $195.00, service call to diagnose the problem = $50, grand total = $1453.61. Sony is insistent that they will not fix this TV; warrantee or additional service coverage does not cover it. They don�t even want it back as a return!

We could have purchased another 50� rear projection 1080p Grand Wega (KDS50A2020) for the same amount of $508 + tax, but decided that we really don�t need a large TV in our small living room, also we are somewhat intimidated and tired of replacing lamp blocks @ $200 each, every 9-12 months! (Lamps on the KDS50A2020 are $250). I know we�re going down in size, but we have seen the 40� LCD Bravia, and it is truly awesome! Color and contrast are way beyond our rear projection Grand Wega.

Here is an outline of our procedures, if anyone is interested:

1. Diagnose the problem. At first the colors of certain areas seemed to be wrong or washed out, especially on the right side of our screen, green grass looked like blue grass! HDTV looked even worse, weird bluish tint on right side of screen. We thought the lamp was going out (again) and ordered a new one. This did not help. Internet research discovered Steve Linke�s web page that unraveled the mystery of this problem! We figured out that if we hit TV/VIDEO to DVD on the remote without the DVD being turned on, a black background is shown with the ominous bluish ghost very visible � The Blue Blob! Just like the pics on Linke�s web page and other examples shown on this thread. (I have the pics if anyone is interested � email me). You will have to have an authorized Sony repair center come to your home to document the blue pattern problem and give a written estimate for the repair. It will be a problem with the optical block.

2. Call Sony Customer Service. Document your conversation! These guys will tell you that you are covered by Sony�s additional service coverage for blue pattern. If your model is 2003, you are not covered. Be prepared to send letter to:

Sony Electronics
Attn: Executive Review Committee
12451 Gateway Boulevard
Fort Meyers, FL 33913-1917

In your letter, make sure you include these items; a) Proof of purchase
b) Documentation of problem and a written estimate for repair from authorized
Sony repair center. c) What you will do to reconcile the situation, i.e. threats to Better Business Bureau, small claims, etc.

3. Sony will call you. Could be from Paul or Jose, They will give you a reference number and ask you to find replacement TVs to your liking. Just make sure they are listed in the sonystyle.com website. They are not going to give you the TV you choose for an even swap! You will have to pay something, I don�t know Sony�s formula for depreciation but they gave us $1491 credit on our 3 � year old Grand Wega that we originally paid $3299.99. Better than watching blue blob or paying to fix your TV! Find a TV that you like from sonystyle.com, document and provide the model number.

4. Sony will call you back. Probably from Jackie. Provide reference number and the
TV you have chosen to replace your blue blob. Be prepared to use credit card to pay for your share.

Hope this helps anyone that has had the same frustrations that we have had! Thanks to the pioneers in of this thread, there are alternatives for the blue blob.

Bronze Member

Username: Edenney

Post Number: 11
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2007 - 01:12 am:

Congrats Dave, this forum has been so helpful to so many people and in my opinion has been the driving force behind Sony's ultimate decision to cover the Optical Block through the end of 2008 for most owners.

I'm not surprised at all that Sony didn't want the TV back, the cost to own one of these things between the lamps and the Optical Blocks is insane. Even though I've been assured by a VP at Sony that the Optical Block has been fixed, if this new one fails again I'm definitely going to make Sony exchange it. Hopefully by then the cost on the Bravia LCDs will have dropped to a reasonable price and I can replace my 55" rear projection with an LCD.

I already have a 32" Bravia and a 23" LCD and the picture is definitely better, especially on the Bravia. However, within 18 months of purchasing the 23" LCD I had to have major repairs done in it when I started to get discoloration on the screen which grew over time, not entirely unlike the problem with Optical Block but it was diagnosed as being the "B" Board (obviously there's no optical block).

Joe Horton

New member

Username: Nomoresony

El Paso, TX

Post Number: 3
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2007 - 10:42 am:

Update to my June 9 post. I had an authorized Sony service center repair my KDF-60XS955. They had the TV about 2 weeks while waiting for the part. I sent Sony the claim form with all the receipts on July 16 and am waiting for my check. Hopefully, Sony will do what they say they will do. But I should add that when I contacted Sony to ask if the repairs had to be done by an authorized Sony service center I was told that anyone could do it. Not true. Sony would sell my repairman the part. Another nail in the coffin. Bye Sony!

James Hightower

New member

Username: Patrebel

Post Number: 8
Registered: Jan-07

Posted on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 10:23 pm:

I have been working in the background on this for 2 years. I hope that those of you that wrote to sony has already gotten this note. Congrats to the power of the internet. I know this site has helped many people...

Dear valued Sony customer,

As technology evolves, Sony continually looks to stand behind the reliability of its televisions. It has come to our attention that a limited number of Grand WEGA rear projection televisions (KDF-42WE655, KDF-50WE655, KDF-55WF655, KDF-60WF655,
KDF-55XS955, KDF-60XS955, KF-42WE620 and KF-50WE620), after a period of time, exhibit blue dot or star pattern on the screen.

As part of our commitment to quality, Sony is announcing that for any owner of these model televisions who paid out-of pocket expenses on or before August 31, 2007 for an estimate or repair service to replace the optical block for this specific issue, Sony will reimburse the customer by mail for his/her parts and labor expenses. To receive reimbursement, please follow completely the directions on the claim form. All claims must be postmarked by January 31, 2008. See claim form for complete terms and conditions.

In addition, for any customer who later experiences this issue on one of the affected models, Sony will cover the cost of the optical block repair (parts and labor) at no charge through December 31, 2008. All other terms of the Sony limited warranty continue to apply. Sony utilizes a network of hundreds of qualified independent third-party servicers to perform in-home television warranty service. Sony, through its authorized servicer network, will endeavor to repair your set within 30 days of your first contact. For diagnosis, warranty service, or if you are not provided a repair within 30 days, please contact Sony at (888) 649-7669.

Best regards,

Sony Electronics

New member

Username: Dennis_l

Post Number: 3
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 06:21 pm:

Well Sony must be listening...Got a call today from Kevin at their Exec Review, he offered a replacement TV from Sonystyle.com, pick out the new model I want and let him know. He advises that I will be contacted and they will advise how much "credit" he mentioned about $1400, and they will replace the TV. I have seen here that this seems to be the offer others have gotten, and I would rather get a new 1080p for $400-$500 than pay that to fix my Grand Wega.
I would like to thank everyone here that has supplied information about thier experiences with Sony, it has definetly helped me out of the "Blue Bob". By the way they said to throw the old TV away, they don't want it back.

Bronze Member

Username: Edenney

Post Number: 12
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 09:07 pm:

For all of you getting replacement TVs and tossing your worthless rear projections, be sure to send me the lamps :-)

. Just got mine repaired so I'm stuck with it for a while!

Bronze Member

Username: Blueblobwega

Post Number: 17
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 09:09 pm:

@James-
Thanks for the bumped heads up mate. If you backscroll to Jun 23rd. you'll see where a presumed Sony representative posted the extended "blue blob" service bulletin. And given the depth of this thread....a re-post was definitely in order.

Why it took them a month to email folks is just a result of the ivory tower bureaucracy so I'm glad I had the email alerts on---I jumped on them last month and my TV is now just like new.

@Dennis, et.al.-

Good deal for you as long as you're comfortable with their new model downsize "settlement" for the 2003 owners. I actually shopped and bought that same model for my brother-in-law last April---it's a kick-butt flat panel. That said, I still feel like Sony is milking the 2003 owners a bit given that it's the same freekin' part. They're dickering panel and screen size just because it's a "model year" later?

Fuh....I can maybe see giving them some difference on a flat panel(of the same screen size) but $500 to get you back what you paid for in a RP? You're inadvertently doing them a favor clearing dead inventory with that route. Yeah--they stepped up on second pass (ERC) albeit with one foot.

I'm not second guessing your alls' decisions by any means. There's only so many hours and fight left in the days and weeks to come right?

I'm jus sayin' so in the purest interest of FAIRNESS.

Dave Laut

New member

Username: Dlester1

Post Number: 2
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 11:35 pm:

Great News Dennis!
A brand new 1080p for around $500 sounds like a pretty fair deal! There may be better offers for other models in this thread, but for owners of 2003 Grand Wega models with blue-blob problems, this might be as good as it gets from Sony (remember blue pattern issues are not covered in the additional service coverage for our model KF-50WE610).
Sounds like we still have a common problem though, what to do with our KF-50WE610! What are you going to do with yours? If you sell it, what would be a fair price? Our Grand Wega still works ok, except for the blue blob. I am almost tempted to follow Steve Linke�s lead regarding replacing the defective optical block myself from; �A company called Tri-State Module in Evansville, Indiana � They apparently will exchange your used optical block for a rebuilt one for about $380�. Quote from Steve Linke�s website @ http://splinke.googlepages.com/sonyrearprojectionlcdtv-opticalblock
I have no idea how intensive this labor would be. I know Lou58 has pics @ http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10539694 regarding instructions on the KF-50WE610 optical bock, but I don�t know if this is over my head.
Any ideas?

Bronze Member

Username: Edenney

Post Number: 13
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 12:10 am:

I can tell you, and others have said the same, that it only takes about 20-25 minutes for someone that knows what they're doing to replace the Optical Block. It's not physically demanding, nothing heavy, it's just a matter of having a power screwdriver with the right extension(s), and knowing what to remove and in what order. They always send 2 guys to do it, but there's nothing about the process that requires 2 guys.

They just did mine about 2 weeks ago and I watched the entire process, though there was someone in the way half the time.. I almost taped it but they had already started on it before it occurred to me. It would be VERY helpful if someone would undertake this process, tape it, and make it available to anyone on this board wishing to do this themselves.

Good luck!

Steve Linke

New member

Username: Slinke

Post Number: 10
Registered: May-07

Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 03:01 am:

I added an additional page to my web site with more pictures and some instructions for optical block replacement on a KDF-55WF655. The instructions should not be considered 100% complete, and I do not guarantee their accuracy. Hopefully, some will find it useful, though, particularly if it means resurrecting a TV that would have gone into the trash.

http://splinke.googlepages.com/sonykdf-55wf655opticalblockreplacement

Steve Linke

Bronze Member

Username: Slinke

Post Number: 11
Registered: May-07

Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 03:11 am:

On a related note, since I had a 2004 model with the blue haze/blob problem, Sony covered my repair in full by a Sony authorized repair center. However, the first optical block they sent was for the wrong TV, and then the second optical block was defective (colored vertical lines, see attached picture). The third block finally worked, and hopefully will continue to work longer than two years.

After the first screw-up, the technician put my old optical block back in when he realized the new one wouldn't fit. Then, I waited a couple of weeks due to the optical block supposedly being on back-order. And, after putting the defective block in, the technician did not have time to put my old one back in (at least it was viewable with the blue haze/blob--the colored bar made it unwatchable). Fortunately, the third block came in in a few days, so the TV was only non-functional for a week.

Defective replacement optical block (colored vertical lines):
Upload

New member

Username: Dennis_l

Post Number: 4
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 12:34 pm:

Blue Bold Wega

Sony said they feel that 7 years is the service life of the TV, we all know that the technology changes daily. And with that change the prices keep dropping.
I expect back 60% of what I paid for my Sony 4 year ago. At 10% per year depreciation, this appears to be about the standard percentage. Having insurance background I can attest to that.
The new model I picked out is not the old technology but a brand new 1080p set due to be released 7-31, model #KDF-50E3000. The price on sonystyle.com was $2199, reduced to $1799. If you figure that if Sony was to supply the Optical Block part for free, and I was to pay for labor, it would still cost me the same.
I can only hope that Sony has fixed the problems, and the new generation TV's don't do the same.
I had a "warranty" issue with GM in 1993, the refused to repair my car under their rust through warranty because the panel that rusted out wasn't a "exterior sheet metal panel". I glued the thing up, traded it in, and haven't and will never buy another GM product. Since 93 I have purchased 13 new vehicles, none of them GM, and haven't had a warranty issue with any of them. Think of it 13 vehicles times thousands of unhappy customers equals a lot of $$ to the big boys you would think.
My hats off to Sony for trying to keep this customer happy, even if it is one at a time.

New member

Username: Dennis_l

Post Number: 5
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 04:55 pm:

Just heard back from Sony..$400 plus tax gets me a new one..no brainer 4 me