Q Even though our speakers and speaker wiring check out OK, we keep getting a “Protect” error message on our 2-year-old Sony STR-DG710 AV Receiver. Then the receiver shuts off. This happens when watching TV or a DVD. Is it just time for a new receiver? - Lynn, California

Check the speaker terminations on the back of the unit. The problem you described happens when the leads touch.  It can be tricky to find, so pay close attention to how the speaker leads are terminated. Or simply unplug all speaker wires, shorten the exposed copper and reconnect. . Good luck.

Steve Crowe - 06 July 2009 06:54 AM

Q Even though our speakers and speaker wiring check out OK, we keep getting a “Protect” error message on our 2-year-old Sony STR-DG710 AV Receiver. Then the receiver shuts off. This happens when watching TV or a DVD. Is it just time for a new receiver? - Lynn, California

Lynn,
Assuming that your speakers, wiring and speaker connections are OK as you stated and by the way you describe the problem:

“we keep getting a “Protect” error message on our 2-year-old Sony STR-DG710 AV Receiver. Then the receiver shuts off. This happens when watching TV or a DVD.”

I think that your receiver is over heating because it is installed in a space ( cabinet, build-in, etc) without proper ventilation. If you are not able to use the receiver for more then few seconds before it goes into protection mode and by removing all the speaker wires the problem is still there the you need a new receiver. And do not forget about ventilation. 80% of the problems that occur with receivers and amplifiers after more the 12 months of moderate usage are caused by poor ventilation.
Ovi

My understanding is that the actual “Protect” error occurs only when there is an electric fault (i.e. a short in the speaker wiring) and not in response to any heat conditions.  I would suggest disconnecting all speaker wiring and then adding back pairs one at a time until either the problem recurs or all wiring is reconnected with (hopefully) no protect error.