Here's the deal: have a tv/vcr combo. It has always had a little trouble locking in on a channel (screen would flicker eachtime you changed channels). A while back a VCR tape got stuck in in and I guess I pulled a little too hard trying to get it out and broke the tape.

After that the TV would only stay on if a VCR tape was fully inserted. Otherwise, it would stay on for about 3 seconds and shut off. With a tape in, it worked ok.

This morning even with a tape in, the channel will hold about 3 seconds and then go to static fuzz (NOTE: we are on cable, no local stations around here). The weird thing is, it will pick up 2 channels 5 & 6 and they are coming thru cable and are clear, good picture, but when you try to change to another channel it will only hold for 3 seconds. I don't see anything broken off when I look inside where the VCR tape goes, but I did something when I pulled out that tape.

With the high price of repairs and the relatively low price of TV's , I'm not sure what to do. Hubby will NOT be happy with me when he gets home from work!!

-- conniein nm (connieandkarrel@msn.com), October 13, 2001

Answers

The problem might be in the channel changers contact points for which there is electronic spray cleaner. Is your channel changer wired to the tv. or is it a remote type?

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), October 13, 2001.

I'm not sure I understand your question. I have a remote to the TV. I tried to change the channels manually on the tv and with the remote and neither worked. Exactly where would I put the spray you mentioned?

-- connie in nm (karrelandconnie@msn.com), October 13, 2001.

Not sure but I would say if you have a remote for the tv there is nowhere to spray tuner cleaner. The tuner is electronic. There are plenty of fix it yourself sites on the web where you can post your problem and an actual technician will try to help you out. You can try starting here: http://www.doityourself.com/

-- Glenn (gj_usa1@yahoo.com), October 13, 2001.

Dear Connie,

I'm a customer rep for Adelphia Communications based here in OH. You mention having cable - through a converter box, or is Your set cable ready? VCR's are notorious for interferring with cable signal, even when there's not been a problem before.

Here are some possible solutions:

*Connect Your cable directly to the tv or run from the converter box to tv.

*Make certain Your tv is set on either channel 3 or 4 if using a converter box, whichever is specified by Your cable provider.

*Check all connections for proper attachment.

Though I doubt this applies in Your case, please be aware of two extra concerns right now. Every Spring and Fall we experience Sun outages due to the relationship of the Sun's postion to the satellite's orbit. This occurs for 2-3 weeks around the eqinoxes and can disrupt Your cable signal. All satellite systems are experiencing some interference since 9-11 due to the change in flight lanes for domestic and military flights, also. Many systems are installing filters to compensate for this, but the filters are custom made and will take time to install.

Hope this helps!!

Randle

-- Randle Gay (rangay@hotmail.com), October 14, 2001.