HLS6187W makes loud poping/clicking noise

[rwest]

I have a Samsung HLS6187W that is about 2-3 years old and is used a lot. Haven't had any problems until yesterday morning. When I turned on the TV, it started up normally (with welcome chime and sound and picture), but it was making these loud poping noises in a quick repition and then would stop for some seconds, and then start making the noises again. When it was making the noises the picture would dim/fade but when it wasn't making the noises the picture looked normal. It would sometimes not make the noise for 30 seconds to a minute, but then it would start poping again (5-6 pops in about 3 seconds), and then it would stop again. It always made the most pops at both startup and shutdown. It almost sounds like the pop you would hear if something was "arc"ing. The other interesting thing is that after the TV shuts off (exit chime and no picture), the poping would/could still continue for another 30-60 seconds while the TV was "cooling" before completely shutting down the power supply. It doesn't make any other strange noises (no whirrling, buzzing, etc...), and there is nothing else wrong with the picture (except when the poping is occuring) or sound. Any ideas what is wrong?

[Kelly]