42HL196 WON'T TURN ON INTERMITTENT LIGHT FLASHING AT TIMER/RECORD RED IN COLOR BLINKS THREE TIMES THEN A SLIGHT INTERVAL THEN BLINKS THREE TIMES AGAIN TURNED OFF POWER AND ON AGAIN DOES NOT HELP

Nine blinks - Replace D 6116 and D 6301 on the "G" board, do not re-solder as this will fix the problem temporary. Or Panel Module Error or Thermal Error. If it is intermittent 9 blinks, meaning sometimes the TV comes on and other times you get flashing, then change the switching regulator on the "G" board or check connections. Make sure the regulator is -12 or -13 (negative).

Usually Sony and LG Blinking Codes are the same. Here is what I have.

• Unit is dead, No blinks - Problem in the standby power section. Might check fuse,
  
• Continuous blink once a second, no pausing - No reply from the jungle IC301 (data bus is busy, shorted to ground, or held high), IK video path is defective.
  
• One blink - not used for the self-diagnosis
  
• Two blinks - B+ over current protection (OCP), unit goes to the standby mode then displays the 2 blink fault. Could be a short in the power supply of any of the circuits.
  
• Three blinks - B+ over voltage protection (OVP), unit goes to the standby mode then displays the 3 blink fault. This is also a problem in the power supply circuit,
• Four blinks - No vertical Deflection (V STOP), Screen goes to a single horizontal line then the video signal muted.
  
• Five blinks - AKB circuit (automatic kine bias), the timer/standby indicator blinks for about 30 seconds then goes to the self-diagnosis function. Something is wrong with the video. In addition, unit could be in IK blanking, try turning up screen slightly.
  
• Six blinks - No Horizontal (H STOP), no raster, goes to the blinking self-diagnosis function immediately.
  
• Seven blinks - High voltage shutdown. The high voltage has exceeded 33k and the unit goes immediately into safety shutdown. Check power supply regulation and horizontal circuits.
  

• Eight blinks - Problem with the audio (AUDIO), unit goes to standby and blinks the self-diagnosis code.

• Nine blinks - Panel Module Error or Thermal Error. If it is intermittent 9 blinks, meaning sometimes the TV comes on and other times you get flashing Make sure the regulator is -12 or -13 (negitive).

• Ten blinks - Check Q8014 and Q8013 for shorts, leakage, or bad solder connections on the " D" board. If the transistors are bad, check R8051 and IC8005, also on the "D" board.

SYMPTOM: Won't turn on or intermittently won't turn on, Red LED Flashes.

CAUSE: Loss of Main Switched Power Sources. Standby power is OK.
SOLUTION: Replace Regulator IC Q820 with Toshiba Part # 23135094

If you can get into the main menu go to load factory default and reboot, This will reload factory settings and this operation will erase all unwanted settings and load back to factory default. so you can load your own settings and take back control of your tv.

Service manual says 3 flashing red leds = eeprom error (main digital / video pcb).
Suggest you start by implementation of Fujitsu Service Bulletin PDP 0068-01 Main Digital pcb see:-ttp://www.eserviceinfo.com/download.php?fileid=43450

I am sorry Sir, it is no other way out.

What are the labels on the lights? Timer/Lamp/Service and what color is wich?