15 year old hitachi bin it or simple repair?

It sounds like it has dryjoints(bad solder connections) although components will be changing value after this period of time and the tube will be a bit tired. It should however work if the joints are seen to be going over them with a soldering iron.
As it has been causing problems for some time it my be obvious with a ring around the joint and may even be a bit black.
If difficult to locate you could turn the lights off to see a spark to locate but really shouldn't use the set in this condition or more permanent damage will result.

sparky
November 2005