TJ25 Backlight problem

[morwen]

I have found a problem with the backlight on my TJ25.

It started up when I installed my T25 into a new case.

I discovered upon poking around, that whenever the Tj25 was squeezed back to front, over the battery cover...the back light cut out. Its repeatable.

Backlight doesn't come back unless the pressure to the battery cover is relieved and you turn the power off and back on.

[drglew]

morwen,

Just wondering, are you going to Sony with this, or returing your unit back to the store? So far, counting yours, i've only seen 2 posts about TJ25 backlight issues, so i'm not sure if it's just bad luck for only a few units, or the start of a more systematic issue (like the TJ35). I'm probably not the only TJ25 owner out there who's worried about an eventual (albeit slower) recall as well (by the way, i've had no backlight issues so far...even when foolishly putting pressure on my battery cover today after reading your post!)....so keep us updated, especially if you deal with Sony. Thanks!

[alsa]

Aha, I told you this was gonna happen. Sorry to hear that though but we have to take more action against Sony since they totally ignored the TJ25s in their recall possibly knowing that the problem was going to come back.

Smells like Sony has another issue on their hands. I was just waiting for more cases like mine to surface.

By the way, your symptoms were were very similar to mine so this looks to be a systemic problem. I would call Sony and tell them about it.

[alsa]

Here's one discussion (see my post there):

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33568&perpage=15&pagenumber=2

Another one here:

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36243

Here's another short remark: http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34256&perpage=15&pagenumber=5

One more here: http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35564

And one more:

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34711

[alsa]

And here's THE explanation of what causes the backlight failure on TJ35 AND TJ25:

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34983

[drglew]

alsa,

did you contact Sony at all with your backlight problem? Just wondering if they blew you off, fixed your unit, or got you a replacement. I agree with your worries about many more TJ25 backlights going out (especially with the tight space & tiny wires), but at least on this forum, i've only counted 2 TJ25 backlight problems so far (yours & morwen's)...so i don't know if Sony will still consider it bad luck vs. sending out another recall, or how many failures it takes before it decides it's a widespread problem.

I'd rather have the problem pre-emptively fixed by a recall if need be...

[alsa]

no, I haven't sent mine in yet. I will most likely have to pay since I poked in there. I am using my NX right now.

I have to say that it seems like most people are buying TJ35s (at least on this board). It also sounds like it takes a little longer for the backlight issue to start with the 25's. I was one of the early adopters (the store didn't even have them yet; they had to get it from under the counter because BestBuy wasn't allowed to put it up on display until October 15th - I got this one on the 13th.)

[alsa]

drglew,

It seems like one has to really press on the back cover (somewhere on the lower part of the cover) for the problem to start. In my case it took 5-6 weeks.

I would say that if, after about another month or two, we don't hear about anyone having backlight problems with their 25s, then it's an isolated problem (albeit with exact symptoms).

My nephew had this TJ25 but then he gave it back to me as he had a ton of SD cards so I gave him my T3 (I am now back to my trusty NX).

I shouldn't have opened the TJ25 up to try and fix the problem myself. When I saw that little cable it literally broke apart with a gentle touch. It was already about 75 per cent loose when I first saw it so I am guessing it would have taken probably another few days for it to finally rip apart... I guess I have relieved it of its misery... :D

[alsa]

That little cable is actually folded so it ripped in the place where it folds. You can really see it well with a lens.

[drglew]

Thanks for the info...i guess i'll just wait it out (& remember to hotsync regularly!). It feels like living with a timebomb or chronic disease or something though...maybe Mad Cow has hit the TJ series.

[alsa]

We have a THIRD case of problems with the TJ25 problems with EXACT symptoms - Coincidence?

Read the post by timmydude

here: http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=440671#post440671

[alsa]

Hey timmydude,

Did you use a third-party case with your TJ25 or naked?

[morwen]

Broke down, called Sony. They sent me a box to ship it back for warranty covered repairs. While I was waiting for the box, the backlight completely gave up the ghost.

They said 5-10 business days....ugh.

[emilyi]

It happened to me!
My dad gave me the TJ 25 last October after a trip to the US. It took a while, but in December the backlight started to go off every now and then... and now it's really bad, the backlight never keeps on and when it does i cannot touch the back of my PDA or the backlight will go off again. It's really a pain in the ***!
I've always used different cases for my PDA... and I think the flexible cable thing must be the reason to my backlight problem.

Now the real problem is that I live in Brazil, south america... and I have no clue on how am I gonna get my TJ25 fixed! I sent an email to sony and they replied with a list of tests I should be doing, and then I should call them if the problem persists... now I am scared of how much is my phone call gonna cost if they put me on hold for up to an hour!!!
I'm pretty lost now.
Emily

[pokothehobo]

I've got the same problem with a tj-37, My screen has cracked twice, nd now my backlight went out. Next time im getting a palm...

[rocki934]

now that i figured out how to sync outlook on my ipod, i'm finally sending my tj25 to sony for the backlight. well, at least i'm going to try. i've been living with no backlight for probably 8 mos. just couldn't live without!

anybody have anything to share of sending the unit to sony? how long did it take etc.? will it be a problem not that they're out of the pda biz?