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I replaced the color wheel on my Samsung HLP5663W about 5 weeks ago with a new one from PartStore.com The TV worked fine for a few weeks. Then the lamp would not light up. I replaced the lamp and the ballast, but still no luck. I removed the color wheel and it looks fine and all the connections look good. However, when I try to spin the color wheel, it moves (not spins) but very stiffly. Should it spin freely?

I would think it should spin freely, if it is stiff then the bearings may be bad. But usually you get bearing noise when this happens. From what I have read here, a faulty color wheel can prevent an electrical signal that allows the lamp to light.

It should spin freely. It spins at about 6000RPM. Sounds like a bad bearing. That was my problem. If the wheel isn't spinning, the lamp will not come on. There is a video on youtube for replacing the color wheel. It looks daunting, but isn't that bad. I successfully replace mine. Go to youtube and search dlp color wheel replacement. Its 5 separate videos. I couldn't have replaced mine without it. One problem I had, there are two connectors that come off the color wheel assembly. One is a ribbon cable that has no connector, it just fits into a slot. I put mine in backwards the first time. When I reversed, it was fine. A techician will charge you $400 to replace the color wheel (part about $120).