Replacing display bulbs in Pioneer TX-9100

mufster

mufster

Well-Known Member
Replacing display lamps in Pioneer TX-9100

Hi, Just joined the Pioneer club. I've got a few vintage units but this is my first Pioneer and I have to say it's very very nice.

One of the display lamps is out and I'm looking to replace them all. Which lamps are they and can someone give me a guide on replacing them. Had a quick look inside and I wasn't certain to what needs to come out to get at them. Is it through the inside, underneath or take the front fascia off? I've done a Marantz 2226B but that was very obvious. I don't want to make a small easy task into a large difficult one, so help to guide me would be very much appreciated.

Listening to it now. Fantastic! And it's real beauty to look at too.

Might not be my last Pioneer...

Thanks.
 
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Come on guys! Surely someone can give a little advice on the best method to change the lamps in the Pioneer TX series?

I really would be grateful if anyone can take some time to give me some pointers.
 
Ok, I realised with the lack of response that nobody here has ever changed the lamps on these tuners. So to help, just take the top metal plate off to expose the board that holds the lamps. Remove the two screws that hold the board in place and lift to expose the fuse lamps.

Glad I could be of help.
 
Sorry about the deafening silence, it was for the best.

I didn't want to reply that I was unsure because the 9100's I've worked on didn't need the lights replaced, (thus I didn't try getting to them) and a total preemptive replacement wasn't contemplated due to a desire to keep costs contained.

Somebody with info might have skipped over it if they had seen that I had posted.
 
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Well yes, I was surprised at the lack of response as this place is renowned for it's helpfullness. That's been my experience so far.

The only hang up I've had is that the board that holds the lamps doesn't come out easy. The wires that are soldered from the unit to the lamp holder wrap around the frame and across the lamp holder board. Thus when I attempt to lift the board, the wires keep it held down! At the moment I'm coming to terms with the possibility that I may need to de-solder some of these wires to get the board out. But I'm trying to work out if this method is navigatable as I really didn't want this to start getting complicated. Plus, I can't believe they would design it this way! The more I have to do the more that could go wrong. But I'm still hoping for advise, if anyone has any to give.

Thanks.
 
Ok, I looked, into sources I cannot (will not - moral issues) reproduce and share, at the TX-9100's dis-assembly.

The AM, FM & Stereo indicator 4mm bulbs (8v 35mA) appear to come out through the back by the wires. In the 828 I had to break the glue with a mini screwdriver and push them through from the front with a tool I made to spread the force across the bulb's hemisphere. I suggest you convert these (if you can stand the color difference) to LED's (T1 3/4 with the rim milled/filed etc off, plus an extra diode and a curent limit resistor). Use some silicon sealant as a better "glue" to hold them in.

The main illumination fuse lamps (8v 300mA) are accessed through the FRONT scale.

The tuning and signal meter fuse lamps (8v 300mA) are probably like the sx-828's - in fact that might be the best downloadable manual to examine for clues.

The dial pointer lamp is about 3mm, (dial pointer 0.120 dia x 0.250 long.I think that's a 3mm lamp. 8v 50ma according to the manual) and in a small folded metal enclosure at the top of the pointer, contained in the metal enclosure additionally by a rubber boot.

You too can share in this information by the simple expedient of spending around $25 for (Rick of Stereomanuals.com) a paper reproduction manual that is darn near indistinguishable from the original. A VERY high quality product.
 
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I have replaced the fuse lamps in my TX-8100, which if I looked in my TX-9100 I am guessing would be the same. I did this a year or so ago, so I do not remember the exact details. However, after taking the wood cabinet off, you have to remove one of the long metal pieces (two screws) near the front top of course, and then loosen up the part under that so you can reposition it to have access to the lamps. The wires will limit movement, but it is doable. What I found most helpful is to use a fuse remover to not only remove the bad fuse lamps, but to hold the new fuse lamp in the right place so that you can push it into the holder. This maybe is not as detailed as you would like, but trust me, it can be done, and you do not have to desolder anything or cut wires, though that is another option (more involved of course, and I did think about it). I changed all the lamps even though only one was burned out. Since I could not find the exact fuse lamp match in the modern world I bought some from Parts Express that were the same voltage (I believe the were 8V), but were slightly less on current (250ma vs 300ma, or something along those lines). I have the service manual if you need to know that info.
 
This is more like it guys! Ok, I'm going to give it a go by trying to remove and replace the lamps through keyhole surgery. I'll let you know how I go on. Just waiting on a new set of lamps to arrive in the post from Germany.

The other option is LED's. I'm looking to give this a go with my tatty Marantz 2226B and if successful I may try the Pioneer. Scary but fun, all at the same time!

Cheers.
 
I have thought a little more about this, and I believe the total number of screws I had to remove was 4. They were slightly different in size (2 of one size, 2 of another), so I labeled a sheet of paper to place them on to ensure they each went back in the right hole. You will be able to figure it out. Having a small flashlight helped me to see what screws were holding each part in place.
 
mufster said:
This is more like it guys! Ok, I'm going to give it a go by trying to remove and replace the lamps through keyhole surgery. I'll let you know how I go on. Just waiting on a new set of lamps to arrive in the post from Germany.

The other option is LED's. I'm looking to give this a go with my tatty Marantz 2226B and if successful I may try the Pioneer. Scary but fun, all at the same time!

Cheers.
Click to expand...

*Waves from Canada to a fellow Mancunian*

:D
 
Ok, I managed to replace the lamps in the TX-9100. Got the display nice and fully lit now. The lamps I took out were all very blackened so reckon they didn't have long left. The top front of the unit isn't getting hot any more too!

Think It may be a good idea to replace the meter lamps as well. Haven't looked too closely yet. Anyone got any idea for the best way to go about it?


Cogsinister said:
*Waves from Canada to a fellow Mancunian*

:D
Click to expand...

Hi. *wave back* So where abouts in Manchester do you hale from? I'm in a lovely little place called Moston(please note I'm saying 'lovely' with plenty of sarcasm as it's not the kind of place to walk about at night on your own. If you know what I mean!).
 

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mufster said:
Ok, I managed to replace the lamps in the TX-9100. Got the display nice and fully lit now. The lamps I took out were all very blackened so reckon they didn't have long left. The top front of the unit isn't getting hot any more too!

Think It may be a good idea to replace the meter lamps as well. Haven't looked too closely yet. Anyone got any idea for the best way to go about it?

<snip>
Click to expand...

On the 828 (similar construction) there is an internal, back of the front panel, screw secured hatch or door facing generally up, that allows access to the meter lamps.... but it is really buried....
 
markthefixer said:
On the 828 (similar construction) there is an internal, back of the front panel, screw secured hatch or door facing generally up, that allows access to the meter lamps.... but it is really buried....
Click to expand...

Yeah, found the the screw securing the hatch. It was buried under all the traversing wires. Regarding replacing the lamps. Turned out my hand was forced. I had been listening to it for about two hours and switched off. Later switched it back on and the tuning dial lamp was out! Don't know how or why but it was dead. The meter worked fine, just the lamp not illuminating. Managed to gain access to the lamps and replaced them both. Powered on and all working again. Examined the lamp that came out of the tuning meter and it looked fine. The wire inside 'appeared' intact. I'll have to keep an eye on it as it may be a loose connection. Might have to get the soldering iron out.
 
mufster said:
Ok, I managed to replace the lamps in the TX-9100. Got the display nice and fully lit now. The lamps I took out were all very blackened so reckon they didn't have long left. The top front of the unit isn't getting hot any more too!

Think It may be a good idea to replace the meter lamps as well. Haven't looked too closely yet. Anyone got any idea for the best way to go about it?




Hi. *wave back* So where abouts in Manchester do you hale from? I'm in a lovely little place called Moston(please note I'm saying 'lovely' with plenty of sarcasm as it's not the kind of place to walk about at night on your own. If you know what I mean!).
Click to expand...

I am from salford to be exact but we lived all over the place, i ended up in Whitefield/Bury for many years.....

No problem walking the streets here, its like something off a chocolate box !!!!
 
Been a few weeks now since I replaced all the lamps. Thought I'd just post a picture showing the tuner with the display now fully lit.
 

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Pioneer TX9100 dial illumination bulb replacement

Pioneer72-81 said:
I have thought a little more about this, and I believe the total number of screws I had to remove was 4. They were slightly different in size (2 of one size, 2 of another), so I labeled a sheet of paper to place them on to ensure they each went back in the right hole. You will be able to figure it out. Having a small flashlight helped me to see what screws were holding each part in place.
Click to expand...

I have the same problem and 3 dead bulbs. It is like microsurgery to replace them. However after removing the two screws that hold the metal plate, the lamp board holding the bulbs comes into view. After removing the two screws that anchor the lamp board you have about one inch of play. If you very very carefully cut the cable tie holding all the wires together in the rear of the board, then you can get about 1-1/2 inches of play. With the lamp board raised about 1-1/2 inches, then you can use a long nose pliers to remove the lamps. However if a lamp falls down into the crevice of the lamp board which happened to me, just invert the tuner and it will shake out. This is the toughest lamp replacement I have ever done, and I have done lamps about twenty times! The long nose pliers worked better for me than the fuse puller. However I had to grasp the fuse lamp at the end with the pliers in one hand and manipulate the other end with my fingers.

As time went along the stereo indicator bulb no longer lit; I was lazy and scrounged a RS part #272-1140 (6 volt, 25 milliamp) I had laying around in the goodie box. After playing with ohms law I also had a 100 ohm dropping resistor. After parlaying the dropping resistor with the bulb we get 5.5 volts across the bulb. Since this is in series with the chip that does not like much current across the bulb caution is laid to the wind so to speak, however with the low current bulb, everything is back to a nice stereo indication. Of course the best and most correct way to fix this problem is to go with DGWOJO our audiokarma lamp expert.
 
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If You guys don't mind.... Quick question I picked up a 9100 today and prior to me installing all new lamps (fuses) "the wrong ones ill confess" the unit did light up... minus the two that were bad when i recieved it. my question is do ALL of the lamps (fuses) have to be installed to light up properly??? as one end cap came off the originals thus i can't put that one back in

the ace hardware guy sold me 3amp 250v i know i know "now"... hope i didn't screw it up to bad... it still powers up i can tell because of the reed relay asr-004 making a sketchy intermittent noise when its on... I took bottom off and all other fuses are good detected only one leaky capacitor is all

thanks for the answer in advance guys
 
Lookup DGWOJO on Google. He's a member here and is the LIGHT GURU! Good prices and he'll put the CORRECT LIGHTS in your hand!

Larry
 
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