No commercial links

Sorry, I had to close comments due to permanent spam. Too much cleanup work.

2016-02-28

Sony KDL-26EX555 - stuck in ageing mode - white screen shows TMP, TIM - TV is bricked

A friend brought me this Sony, which he got from eBay classifieds. In the ad, the owner said it had no sound. Well, that's not at all what I found.

The set would start up, flash the normal image and then show a white screen with two numbers: a temperature TMP and a countdown TIM. This is the so-called ageing mode, which can only be activated via the service mode.

In ageing mode, the power LED blinks continuously and the TV will not go to normal stand-by anymore. The remote control has no effect on anything, neither do the switches on the side of the case.

This is a screenshot from a video I took. The normal image flashed very quickly, no chance to take a normal shot.


After that, it looked like this:



I browsed the net and it seems that this happened to quite a few people with other Sony TV models. Either they inadvertently pressed some keys on the remote or the TV suddenly was in that state when it booted. One suggestion was to press the Analog/Digital button on the remote. Didn't work.

This looks like a software bug. The device is bricked. It is impossible to get out of the aging mode without the means they have at the factory.

There are two choices:
  • Look for a local Sony service, who may have the means to unbrick the TV
  • Buy a used main board (# 1-884-958-21). I only found some for the EX553, which has no sat receiver. 20 british pounds. Not so bad, may be cheaper than the Sony service.
I'll let my friend decide.

In the meantime, Sony support suggested pressing the Up key on the remote together with the On/Off button on the TV. Nonsense. Another suggestion was to press the Menu key on the TV for longer while plugging in. Also nonsense. They don't have a clue!

Sony Service Manuals used to be better


The service manual of this TV has some nice color images for assembling and disassembling, and some block diagrams, which explain things on a high level. But no schematics for anything. What happened to Sony? I am disappointed.
Posted by at

13 comments:

  1. yu8/15/2016 4:16 AM

    I got the same problem today, here the solution is:
    1. Unplug power cord for a while(1 minutes+).
    2. Plug power cord on, and make sure that TV not auto power on.
    3. Press [DISP] [5] [+] [Power] remote key to enter the service mode.
    4. Select "Aging Mode" Off

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alpengeist8/15/2016 1:12 PM

      Thanks for sharing. I tried all that and every other suggestion I found on the net. The TV did not listen to the remote at all and it powered itself on immediately after plugging it in. There was no way to prevent that.

      Delete
    2. ricky.djauhar7/12/2017 6:42 PM

      I came across this problem also, and after 3 days of googling I stumbled upon a Sony technical bulletin. Try this out:

      Procedure
      1. Plug the AC cord & switch on the TV by remote commander.
      2. Green LED blinks every 3 seconds.
      3. Switch off Aging mode. To switch off aging mode you need a remote commander (RM-ED041, RM-ED044) enabled in test mode.
      3-1. Enable Test mode on the remote by pressing “INPUT SELECT” + “5” + “VOL+” for approximately 5 seconds.
      3-2. Switch off Aging mode by pressing the Test Key + “[i+]”. (Test Key is BRAVIA SYNC button “ “.)
      NOTE: If using the customer’s remote commander, make sure to disable Test mode on the remote again.
      4. TV is now in normal mode and must work properly.
      5. Set the shipping condition by pressing “cursor up” on the remote commander and pressing the “power key” on the TV keys panel.
      6. Wait until the TV restarts and the initial setup menu appears.
      7. Switch off the TV by the remote and then unplug the AC cord.

      Delete
    3. ricky.djauhar7/12/2017 6:43 PM

      (Test Key is BRAVIA SYNC button “ “.)

      My bad. It is the rewind button. Hope this helps!

      Delete
    4. Alpengeist7/12/2017 7:27 PM

      Thanks for your effort, Ricky. In my case the TV wasn't responding to the remote at all. I gave up on it.

      Delete
    5. Unknown5/11/2019 8:52 PM

      Estou com esse problema e não acho sulucao 😭😭😭😭😭😭

      Delete
    6. Alpengeist5/11/2019 9:21 PM

      My condolences ;-)

      Delete
    7. Unknown12/08/2021 2:12 PM

      what is i+ ?

      Delete
  2. Tavi8/25/2017 3:18 PM

    The solution:
    With memory stick you must put nvm file for your model, push power after insert memory stick and plug the cable ac, a message appeare update, wait for aprox 5 min and done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alpengeist8/25/2017 3:38 PM

      Have you tried that on a TV stuck in ageing mode?

      Delete
    2. Uncletec7/23/2020 7:59 PM

      Did this work for anyone?

      Delete
    3. Diegokjasd10/09/2020 4:51 PM


      Where can i download the nvm file? Please would you tell me if this works?

      Delete
  3. Diegokjasd10/09/2020 4:50 PM

    Where can i download the nvm file? Please this works?

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)