I'm new, have question about my 1984 Zenith

[classictv80s]

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.