RCA Color TV
(160-2083/2085)            Troubleshooting            Faxback Doc. # 40423


Troubles sometimes are caused by simple faults that you can easily correct
without the help of a service technician by first checking a few basic
remedies.

Before you call or take your unit to an Authorized RCA TV Servicenter, look
below for the type of trouble you are experiencing.  Then perform the simple
checks and adjustments listed for that trouble.

If your unit is still in warranty, these checks and adjustments could save
you time and the cost of an unneeded trip to the servicer.  They also could
save you the cost of a diagnosis not covered by your warranty.

If your unit is out of warranty, these checks and adjustments could save
you the cost of an unneeded diagnosis.  If service should be necessary, the
warranty explains how to get it.

Trouble                      Checks and Adjustments

TV will not turn on          Check to make sure TV is plugged in.

                             Check the wall receptacle (or extension cord)
                             to make sure it is "live" by plugging in
                             something else.

                             Maybe batteries in remote control are "dead".
                             Try replacing batteries.

                             Maybe remote was not aimed at remote sensor.
                             Press POWER button on TV.

                             Make sure power cord is fully inserted into
                             back of TV.

Controls don't work          If using remote control, make sure remote is
                             in "TV Mode" by first pressing the TV button.

                             Try unplugging set for two minutes and then
                             turning it on again.

                             Make sure power cord is fully inserted into
                             back of TV.

Intermittent or no remote    Maybe something was between the remote and the
                             remote sensor.

                             Maybe the remote was not aimed directly at the
                             component (TV or VCR) you were trying to 
                             control.

                             Maybe remote is not in "TV Mode".  Press the 
                             TV button so remote will control TV.

                             Maybe batteries in remote are weak or dead.
                             Try replacing batteries.

                             Maybe batteries were installed incorrectly.
                             Try replacing batteries correctly.

Turns off while playing      SLEEP TIMER function may have been activated.

                             ALARM OFF function may have been activated.

                             Electronic protection circuit may have been
                             activated because of a power surge.  Wait 30
                             seconds and then turn on again.  If this
                             happens frequently, the voltage in your house
                             may be abnormally high.

                             Make sure power cord is fully inserted into
                             back of TV.

Turns on unexpectedly        ALARM ON function may have been activated.

Alarm does not turn off      Check ALARM ON/OFF function.  Must be set to
TV at correct time           ON.

                             Check to make sure CLOCK function is set to
                             the correct time.

Blank Screen                 Maybe Channel 90, 91, or 92 selected, but
                             device connected to those INPUT jacks is not
                             turned on.

                             Try another channel.

No sound, picture okay       Maybe sound is muted.  Try pressing VOLUME up
                             button to restore sound.

                             Maybe TV's speakers are turned off.  Check
                             SPEAKERS ON/OFF function.

                             Check position of SPEAKER switch on back of TV.

Can't select certain         Channel may not be in Channel Memory.  Try
channel                      pressing number buttons.

                             If using VCR, check to make sure TV/VCR switch
                             on VCR is in correct position.

                             To select cable channels 100 thru 128, press
                             number button 1 until 1-- appears.  Then press
                             other two number buttons.  CABLE/AIR function
                             must be in CABLE mode to select channels 
                             higher than 69.

                             Channel may be locked-out with Parental Control
                             feature.

Noisy stereo reception       May be a weak station.  Change STEREO/SAP
                             function to MONO setting instead of STEREO.

No picture, no sound but     Maybe someone changed CABLE/AIR function to
power light is on            wrong position.

                             Maybe a vacant channel is tuned.

                             For Channels 90, 91, and 92, make sure the
                             component connected to those INPUT jacks is
                             turned on in order to see the picture.

                             If watching VCR (connected only through 
                             antenna input), make sure TV is tuned to
                             channel 3 or 4 - same as CH3/CH4 switch on VCR.
                             Also check to make sure TV/VCR switch on VCR
                             is in correct position.

Sound okay, picture poor     Check antenna connections.

                             Try adjusting SHARPNESS function to improve
                             weak signals.

Picture okay, sound poor     Try another channel.

                             Try adjusting VOLUME, BASS, and TREBLE 
                             controls.

                             If station is sending stereo, try changing
                             STEREO/SAP function to MONO setting for
                             clearer sound.

                             Try adjusting SRS controls to turn SRS off or
                             on.

No stereo on known stereo    Make sure STEREO/SAP function is in STEREO
station                      mode.

Remote no longer controls    Try not to press any buttons on the remote
cable box, VCR or audio      while changing its batteries.  You may have to
equipment                    reprogram the proper code into the remote.

Can't get two channels in    If using the VCR1 or VCR2 LD button, make sure 
Pix-in-Pix                   it is programmed to select the proper video
                             input channel.

                             If using an S-VHS component, make sure its
                             regular VIDEO cable is connected to INPUT 1
                             VIDEO jack on the TV.

                             If using a VCR, make sure the AUDIO and VIDEO
                             OUT jacks on the VCR are connected to the TV's
                             AUDIO and VIDEO IN jacks.

No closed captioning         Turn on the CAPTIONING function.

                             TV program does not have closed captioning.

Black bars appear on the     Turn off the CAPTIONING function
screen

(km-07/14/1997)

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