Zenith that goes PFFFT!
 

We have a zenith we bought new in 1986. It has run at least 12 hours a day for the last 17 years. Starting a few years ago, occasionally upon start up in the morning, the console will run for about 30 seconds and then PFFFT! The screen goes dead, but you can still hear static. Repeated start and PFFFT! cycles eventually lead to it staying on, and then it plays for hours! Half the time when you hit the power button, it simply comes on. What would cause this? Am I going shopping for a new set?

Can you pull the back and see what module numbers it uses? There should be a paper inside the cabinet with that information. The numbers will be something like 9-186, 9-181, 9-160, 9-519, etc. There were several different Zenith chassis made during that time period and it would help to know what modules are inside. Or, if there's a model number on the back, I might can find out what's inside by that information.

If the picture is/was still good, I'd say the set is worth at least trying to repair. Those older Zenith TV's are better than most of what is being made today.

The two most common troubles are bad solder joints and bad capacitors, neither of which is that hard to fix. I'm thinking a bad tuner connection or something in the video/IF circuits.

When the screen goes dead does it turn black {like its off} or can you see anything at all?

It is dead. The model no. is SB2523K. Made March 1986.

It goes dead I should say!

I agree with Bryan in that case, I've had tuner issues like that in electronic tuning sets. The problem I had wad a bad IC.

Is this fairly easy to fix, or should I start looking at the newest tvs?

Well, it's hard to say without looking at it. I would check around to see if you can get it fixed first. Maybe you could send the whole chassis to someone here if you are comfortable with removing it and doing so, and if there is someone willing to look at it. If you do remove it, discharge the HV first or leave the set off for about a week so it will leak down. Nasty shock can occur. The new stuff is total junk compared to even a mid '80s Zenith. The System 3s had a nice picture and great sound.

Agreed, If you can get that set fixed for a resoinable price, do so. Trust me, you dont want to buy a new set, picture quality between what your Zenith puts out and a new set off the shelf are uncomparable. There is no emphasis into alignment or CRT building anymore (that is if you are lucky enough to buy a set that has a new CRT that is as most are recycled CRT's now)