Harman/Kardon AVR-254 Video "died"

[Wharfe]

I'm working with a Harman Kardon AVR-254, the manufacture date is 2008.. so it is out of the 2 yr warranty.

It's worked fine for years, all of a sudden it stopped passing video while on. Can't get a thing out of it, but when I connect devices directly to the TV they work fine.

HDMI, S-Video, Composite.. tried it all, can't get the menu or anything to come out of the unit. It does seem to pass Analog audio & radio, though.

I read about this issue on another site and one person said it is due to "Time Delay Fuses" being blown.. I'm going to open it up and see if this is the problem..

Anybody else experience this problem? I'm in Newfoundland so I'm not sure if there's a service center around or if it can even be fixed (that is if it's a bigger issue beyond the fuses).. may not even be worth it.

Appreciate any advice. I'll update once I check it out inside and see if I can fix it.

[57]

Have you unplugged it overnight? Have you done a reset - usually outlined in the troubleshooting section?

[Wharfe]

Yes I did try the reset but no luck. Had it unplugged but not overnight, It's unplugged now so I'll try it again in a day or two and see if anything changed.

[DavidY]

Check all connectors to ensure that they are tight. Too many times, I have had loose connectors be problematic.

Dave

[Nuje]

That was the "problem" with my AVR254 a while ago - I'd moved it around to connect a Toslink cable and loosened an HDMI cable. Of course, that was only after trouble-shooting and looking for more and more complex problems for over an hour.

[57]

Things to check FAQ: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=19694

[Wharfe]

Thanks for the info. It's definitely not a cable. I've tried HDMI, S-Video and Composite all out of the receiver to the TV and it's a no go.

This thing was used with a universal remote for years, so there wasn't really a way to change a setting that would screw it up.

The receiver was working fine, left the room, returned to find a blank screen, and it hasn't worked since that time.

Contacted Harman Kardon, their "few hours to one day" customer service, but I suppose with the holidays this time of year they are delayed in responding.

Suppose it will need to be repaired or replaced but I'm not too sure where that can be done locally or if it's worth the money.

[pharsyde]

Anybody else experience this problem? I'm in Newfoundland so I'm not sure if there's a service center around or if it can even be fixed (that is if it's a bigger issue beyond the fuses).. may not even be worth it.

I noticed FS doesn't carry the HK anymore since the BB opened. Too bad really. An example of Big Box controlling the market.

The only other person I can think of when it comes to HK in our market is Paul Frecker. He may be aware of this issue from the 254 as well I suppose. Regardless, if Paul can't fix your 254, or outlines for you to decide if it can be justified, forget about it. It isn't worth it. Paul is very knowledgable person to talk too when it comes to all this HT, 2 channel stuff. Worth the visit to his showroom for sure.

Paul will match any national retailers price (ie: BB) on HK as well, if you wanted to stay with HK, while giving yourself another purchasing option.

I can understand. The HK stuff does have nice warmth to it's sound. Perhaps a 2600 on sale is in your future.

[Wharfe]

Thanks for your advice pharsyde.

I will contact Paul and hear what he has to say. I am interested to know if the repair is worth it or not. Best Buy has the 3600 on sale this week. It would just be such a waste of a perfectly good receiver.

I've also got a phone number for a warranty guy at Jam Industries, going to speak to him as well for some advice.

[Wharfe]

Well I was in touch with the distributor, JAM Industries.. Really wasn't thrilled with the attitude of the dude on the phone. Anyway, he said its $45 for an estimate, I would have to ship the unit to them in Montreal. $60 for labour + any parts required.. and of course shipping cost both ways..

Shame to let the unit go to waste but I think we may get the 3600.. and I will look in to selling the broken one as is.. or finding a use for it as an amplifier..

[LoveLiving4FUN]

I had the EXACT same thing happen to mine a day or 2 ago! (March 6th, 2012)

The front display shows the flashing L-R inputs for anything on HDMI. It also doesn't output any signal to the TV through HDMI. I tried all 3 HDMI inputs as well as a component input. It has the same manufacture date as well.

I connected an optical and coaxial audio source to it and that works fine.

[Fr8mvr]

Depending upon age of your AVR254 or 354 for that matter, the HDMI boards are failing. Just happened to mine even though mine was already shipped repaired compared to earlier models that had a service bulletin issued.