How to replace the broken LCD Flexicable for Sony DCR-HC42E (and family).

Details of part number and price at bottom of document.

Remove 4 bottom screws

Remove left screw and plastic plate underneath it can be removed also.

Remove top right hand corner screw

Case can be CAREFULLY prised open, it has catches along the top, this requires a slight hinged movement, bottom first.

Open the black hinged part of the connector, shown here as the middle arrow. Pull the flexi-circuit out. The other flexi circuit shown by the top arrow, is removed simply by gentle pulling, there is not a hinged lid for it (push fit).

Remove two screws above and below the Lens Cover switch

Release catch under here, then the front case can be prized off. This gives access to the offending Flexicable; which can be carefully pulled out of its socket (note which way round it is).

Remove two screws from D shaped plastic part.

This reveals the hinge, which has another single screw holding it into place. Remove this screw. At this point, with careful manipulation, the hinged part can be eased out the other side of the case. The broken flexicable (if still partially attached) will follow. The D part also holds another little board in place, that is attached to another flexicable. Take note of this, so you can replace it when you are done. There is a plastic housing around the hinge, which can be removed by a single screw. Inside the casing, you can see how the flexicable is arranged in a clever way, to achieve the movement of the hinge (well, not that clever, as it has broken!). You will see that double sided sticky tape is positioned on the cable. This is needed for correct installation. Using the old cable as a guide, you will see that there is a certain way to bend it back on itself, so that the double tracks lay on one-another, using the double sided tape to hold it together.

When you have done that, lay it in the opened hinge housing as follows:

Then put the hinge on top:

Then the top plastic housing:

Flip it over and put the screw in to hold together:

They are then fed back through the hinged part, under the D shaped plastic, in a similar manner to that when you removed it (remember?).

This picture shows where the flexicable comes into the LCD panel, and is pushed back into the brown and white hinged connector. The LCD panel has two screws on the glass side, and another three along the hinged side. One of those 3 will need to be accessed when the D shaped plastic is removed from within the camera. If, when complete, you find that the image no longer flips when the LCD is rotated, open the back of the LCD as above, and inspect the image flip switch as show above. I found that I had the arm of the switch (absolutely tiny!) had bent back on itself. When corrected, it worked properly. The flexicable part number is FP-185 / 1-864-761-11 I found this from the diagram at the end of this doc. I bought a spare from my local approved Sony repair specialist in the UK, for 17.65 Good luck, and Im afraid I cannot accept any liability for any damages that may be caused. These are my own personal notes, and I am freely distributing them in good faith. airshod@gmail.com