Hello everyone, I've been lurking on this web site for a while now and have enjoyed reading all the posts about the older vintage TVs. I would have happily continued to lurk, since I don't know anything about repairing televisions, but a couple of nights ago, my 1984 Zenith would not turn on using the remote control. It is a set that I got several months ago at one of my local thrift stores, and has been working great since I got it - although it hasn't been used much the past few months. Unfortunately, it did not come with the original remote control, so I have had to use a Zenith brand universal remote. After trying this remote and another universal remote, I came to the conclusion that the remote control sensor in the TV has quit working. I tried cleaning the area in front of the sensor, but it didn't do any good. I'm just puzzled as to why the remote control sensor would all of a sudden quit, with the TV otherwise still working?

Is this problem common in older television sets? If so, can the rest of the TV continue to function well without the remote control sensor? My Zenith is the one with a flip-down door with a keypad on the other side of the door. I've read that these keypads have been known to give out, perhaps because of kids playing with it, although mine looks to be in very good shape. I don't know of any good TV repair people where I live, so hopefully this TV can continue to turn on manually. The model number is SA1927W4, manufactured in September 1984.

Iv'e seen this. Hey does that set have a switch on the front or back thatr has a "remote On/Off" switch? Check that first. Should be switched to on.

Yes, and I've also known those switches not to make good contact. Spray some Deoxit or other good control cleaner in the switch and flip it a few times to work the cleaner in. If that does not work, check the B+ going to the remote sensor. I think there's three wires going to the sensor: B+, ground, and signal. If you're not getting B+ to the sensor, you'll need to trace the circuit back to see where the voltage is missing. If the B+ is there, the problem is likely in the remote receiver assembly.

I've worked on a lot of TV's over the past 20 years and I've seen very few with bad remote sensors. That switch will probably solve your problem. Even if it is the sensor, it should not be too hard to find one for that era Zenith. And, yes, those membrane keypads do give trouble. It would be best to fix the remote problem and leave the keypad alone.

I can't find a switch anywhere that says "remote On/Off." There is, however, a switch at the front that says "MAN/REM." I tried flipping that back and forth several times, but got no results.

Thats the switch.. You'd be best to get an ohm meter and test that switch for continuity to start with.. If it's good go along with what Radiotvnut said about checking your b+ power to the remote reciever interface.

Thats the switch.. You'd be best to get an ohm meter and test that switch for continuity to start with.. If it's good go along with what Radiotvnut said about checking your b+ power to the remote reciever interface.

How do I actually do that? I'm a total novice when it comes to TV repair. Would I have to open up the set to test wires with a device, or just the outer switch? One of the wires may very well be the problem, but I have a strong hunch that the problem is with the remote sensor itself. For what it's worth, when the TV was turned off, I took a flashlight and spent a long time looking through the vent holes into the inside of the set where the wires lead to the tuner and sensor. I managed to get a pretty good look at that whole area. It didn't appear that any of the wires were burned or detached. Also, the inside looked remarkably clean for a 24-year-old television. I thought everything would be covered with dust but it wasn't.