Dis-assembly and repair of a Dell E173FPf monitor

There are many Dell E173FPf monitor in use and many will have power supply issues. If this Instructables guide we will show you how to dis-assemble the monitor and replace the parts needed to repair the most common problem - the blinking power led or no power at all.

To do the repair you will need the following tools:
Soldering iron, de-solder braid, Phillips screwdriver, flat blade screwdriver.
You will also need the following electronic parts: qty(2) 220mf 25v capacitors.

We have repair guides for other LCD monitors on our site at http://www.ccl-la.com/monitor_repair.htm

If you don't have a monitor to repair check Ebay.com, you will find them for sale usually for less than $30 in as-is condition, just be sure the screen is not cracked.

This is not guaranteed to solve all problems but in most cases this is the issue with this model.

Step 1 Getting started in the dis-assembly

The first thing to do is remove the power and signal cables. Then remove the monitor stand by unscrewing the four Phillips screws shown circled in yellow. When the stand is off you can remove the back case by inserting a small flat blade screwdriver in the slot on the bottom. The case has a few plastic catches that need to be released. Gently pry the two halves apart and just work your way around the case separating the 2 pieces. After the case is seperate remove the monitor and set the case halves to the side for later reassembly

Comments

[mrfcricket]

Where exactly can i buy the capicitor - 220mf 25v electrolytic caps.

[amplex]

Mouser Electronics, has possibly the best and most up to date selection of current electronic components.

Futurlec.com has great prices usually!! Although their catalog is not nearly as complete as Mouser.

[cclla]

Hello, We have the set available for purchase on our web site at: www.ccl-la.com/badcaps.htm click on monitor repair guides and then the model you need such as the E173FP You can also order them from several places on the internet but most have minimum order qtys

[Instructi-Guy]

I hate these darn things. My cord is acting weird and is showing things in a purple hue. Errrgh.

[amplex]

When this happens, usually the cable is not plugged in all the way. (check the back of the pc where the VGA/DVI cable plugs in. If its a modular cable (has another end that comes off on the monitor side) check that connection too.

[sctirvn687]

I found a 17" Sceptre monitor. When turned on it emits a high pitched sound, the back light comes on for probably 2 seconds each time the power switch is pressed. I took the board out and it looks like the little doo-dad (technical name) that I circled in the picture overheated and made a burn mark in the circuit board. Any ideas? Thanks.

[jfbjfb]

OK, works fine with only 2 new caps ! Thank you

[gusg]

220uF is the current standardised way of writing 220 micro-farads. The old mF was dropped a long time ago. That threw me a little when I was searching to buy the caps. 220uF 25v caps are very common.

[lemonie]

(removed by author or community request)

[cclla]

(removed by author or community request)

[lemonie]

Thanks for the info - do you have any experience with TV disassembly? L

[cclla]

We do have some service manuals. What model are you looking for?

[lemonie]

I was just thinking how TVs used to be repaired more often, a transistor or like these monitors a cap'. It's one of those things that doesn't happen very much, and of course TVs and monitors are quite similar. L

[cclla]

Yes, Older monitors and newer TV both have basically the same type power supplies. We have repaired flat panel TVs that have the same problem as this, just a capacitor or two. The parts are cheap if you do it yourself but can be expensive if you call a repair center. It really is amazing that a lowly little part like a capacitor or transistor can kill so many different types of products. I can put together some dis-assembly guides if you think they would help others.

[lemonie]

What would interest me personally, is how you identify the defective components. OK, if they're obviously bulged or blown it's easy I suppose. L

[cclla]

How about a guide on how to test capacitors and transistors? That is usually what goes out in the power supplies. Some capacitors can be bad but not bulge so they make it very had to find visually. Buddy

[lemonie]

It would be useful - do it? L (I have plenty of assorted old transistors, I don't know if they work, I only know if the circuit doesn't work..)

[christophor]

You have no idea how happy I am to see this instructable! I'm trying to use one of these monitors to build a touch screen to spruce up an old server rack I use at home. I couldn't figure out how to get the plastic off of the monitor without scratching things up. This helps a lot. Thanks for posting this. - Chris