Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Older Panasonic 20"

Hello,
My TV acts like I turned to another channel(using remote) when in fact I didn't. I thought maybe there was dust caught between the channel up and down keys on the tv so I used some compressed air to blast it. It didn't help. Does this mean my tuner is going out? And if so is this something I could work on. I can't afford a new one and I can't afford to take it to a repairman.

Where would one order parts for a TV and where are there any sites that have illustrations of the insides of TV's.

Any suggestions???

thanks............glenda:)

You may have switched the tv from cable to air (broadcast), if this is a really old set, check the user panel, front of tv set and see if the set is set to air or catv. switch it to the setting you use cable, or air, then try to auto program, (agin on the set). After this use channel up and channel down button, and see if the set acts properly. You may have to access the menu from the remote control, and agin select the type air/cable, then auto progam the set from the remote.

You may also use an old vcr as the tuner. Set your tv to channel 3 or 4. Hook up the antennae to the vcr. Hook up the the vcr out to the rf connector on the tv set. Follow the above procedure. If it works great. snuffs

also people around here are through out completely good working tv sets on trash days, you may find one the curb.good luck

I bought the TV new in the 80's. No it is set to CATV and I am running through a new RCA VCR as the channel up and down. But the TV still trys to flip to another channel, even when I only use the TV, that's why I thought maybe there was dirt/dust stuck in the channel up/down buttons. But my thinking is the channel tuner going out. Possible? Where do you go for TV parts besides the curb??? Do TV repair shops sell used/new parts??

thanks.......glenda

Maybe if you use the video out and sound out from the vcr and connect to the video in and video in on the set may work. This would bypass the tv tuner entirely.

As far as repairing the set, it will probably be cost prohitive. Really, you can buy new analog sets 19" or so. far less than the rapair would be. $100.00 or less. Try my simon on the net for good deals.

I cannot diagnose the problem without schematics, voltage raedings, waveforms, etc. Tv repair shops buy their parts new, from the manufactor, and also use specific parts from schematics to do so. The may have new parts on hand for common failure parts from parts dealers like NTE, but they commonly mark up the parts and pass them on to consumers. Indepent shops may use used parts from chassis's they keep, but again the parts are a genium match for the original parts. their are no generic parts for tv sets.I do not condemn them for doing so.

You could with a minimum knowlege of electronics try swapping modules, but it would have to be a zenith, yours is not a modular set.

I hope this clarifies thing a bit. Good luck, snuffs :)