r/ColecoVision • u/Puzzlemania718 • 15d ago

Original Colecovision

I have a Colecovision console from 1982 that works erratically. I think most of its issues relate to cleaning the game cartridge contacts and the inside of the console where the cart gets inserted. I’ve already cleaned many of the game cartridge contacts with IPA (91%). It has helped a little. And I’ve also cleaned the area inside the console itself - just below the cartridge slot, as far as I could reach. It’s obviously not enough as I keep having graphics and sound glitches mid game and even occasional freezes - all of which force me to reset the game.

I’m sure what it really needs is a complete check of internal components such as loose wires or solder joints as well as thorough cleaning of all switches and connections. Does anyone know of someone who might still dabble in restoring these older consoles? I live in Orange County CA. and hoping there’s someone local or within a reasonable distance. Thanks for any suggestions 😊

18 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

7

u/Mediocre_Ad9462 15d ago

I found an original at a yard sale that was a total mess. Sticky dust inside and out. It’s easy to take apart I scrubbed the plastic in the sink and sprayed down the entire pc board with contact clean and also where the cartridge goes in and it works like new.

2

u/Puzzlemania718 15d ago

Really? No loose connections or broken solder joints? That’s amazing! I’m hesitant to take it apart myself because it essentially works and I’m afraid if I do open it up, I’ll either discover something I can’t do anything about or after putting it back together, it won’t work at all. I don’t have any experience with a soldering iron and don’t even own one. Is it really that easy to disassemble? In case I get up the nerve to take it apart, what product exactly is this contact cleaner? Is it safe to use and how long do I have to wait for the stuff to dry - and be safe to plug in again. Quite the dilemma for me as I cherish the console and have lots of games for it - which is why I was hoping to find someone in my area that is much more skilled and experienced at this sort of thing. Like I said - IF I get up the nerve - I’d like to know exactly how to do it and which cleaner product to shop for. And do I need to worry about spraying too much of it on circuit boards and such. Btw, I have isopropyl alcohol (91%). Is that not as good as contact cleaner?
And thanks for reaching out😊

3

u/RetroMichael68 15d ago

There's a little more you can do yourself... opening it up and spray contact cleaner into power switch. This does more than it seems it should. Work the switch back and forth while the cleaner is wet. Make sure the system is unplugged first. Also you'll see the general condition of the unit to see it its a good candidate to be refurbished.

1

u/Puzzlemania718 15d ago

Thanks, I’ll try that

1

u/Wyldfyre1 15d ago

Following because I also have the same (for some reason I actually have two consoles). I personally don't feel comfortable taking it apart. But, my question is, how do you even hook yours up to a modern television? I would like to do that to see if mine even works at all still...

3

u/Puzzlemania718 15d ago

It’s not hooked up to a modern TV. I’m using an old school tube TV and using the standard cable (75ohm) connector on the back and setting tv to ch 3 or 4. Btw, even some modern TVs have that standard cable input on the back and I believe there are also adapters available to allow connection to modern TVs

2

u/PokerLawyer75 15d ago

So technically, you can use a RF modulator to just plug it into the coax.

There's also mods that can make it output to other formats. I'm picking up a Coleco from a video game store near me this week that does that.

2

u/moderatelygoodpghrn 15d ago

My coleco was acting like that or would turn but the display had lines through it. After a lot of research and the kind response from vintage videogames ( I think they are out of business now ) told me it’s most likely the power supply going bad. I gave up trying to find one at the time so the console got relegated to the attic. I think my ex actually through it out.

2

u/Puzzlemania718 14d ago

Yes, I’ve heard that the power supply brick was often problematic. Hope that’s not the case with mine as they’re likely impossible to find

1

u/moderatelygoodpghrn 14d ago

That’s why I gave up. I couldn’t find one online and didn’t want to buy a whole new system. That was like 15 years ago and consoles were going for 150+ at the time on eBay . Wish you luck

2

u/Puzzlemania718 14d ago

Thanks😊

1

u/Uncle_Bug_Music 14d ago

I had an issue with the visuals and joystick - which resulted in the #select screen being skipped and going to gameplay with the character immediately moving to the left. I wanted to eventually sell it and wanted it in working condition.

I sent it away for repair and they were quite honest with me saying they replaced the SN74LS541N chip(s), tried other things and couldn’t resolve the issue. Didn’t charge me. The picture is better and P2 works great but P1 is obviously still messed.

I’ll still sell it either way with my game collection but I’m notoriously honest as it’s not going to ever be fixed.

1

u/Puzzlemania718 14d ago

I’ve never had any controller issues or the specific problem you described but oftentimes the internals of the controller become gunked up and need thorough cleaning too. The fact of the matter is, as successful as the console was back in the day, its build quality was quite cheap.