What's wrong with my Coleco?

[Tupin]

My Coleco is acting very weird when it comes to moving up. In some games like Donkey Kong or Centipede, you can go up, but it will immediately force you down unless you move left or right. In Defender and Super Cobra up doesn't work at all. None of this has to do with the controllers, I think. I've used several, and they all have the same problem.

[NIAD]

If you are sure that all your controllers are good and you have tested them in both Joystick Ports, then the problem more than likely is the dreaded Controller Chips located at U18 and U19 on the motherboard (right by the joystick ports). These chips (TI SN74LS541N) are soldered onto the motherboard and would need to be desoldered and replaced.

 

If you are not up to the task, send the resident hardware guru here a PM... his name is Yurkie.

[Tupin]

Just another thing to add to my list of stuff I need to desolder/solder, I guess. I do soldering quite often. Only thing I'm questioning is taking apart the Coleco. I have to take off the front sticker? Will it easily stick back on?

 

I just searched it, and found Yurkie's thread on it. Great info, got links to places where I can get replacement chips.

Edited April 3, 2011 by Tupin

[NIAD]

Here is a guide to taking apart the ColecoVision WITHOUT having too remove/destroy/damage the front label by SlowCoder.

A Guide to Disassembling the ColecoVision - Rev. #01 (2010) (SlowCoder).pdf

[+5-11under]

Also... http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/163446-diy-modifications-for-colecovision/page__view__findpost__p__2018922

[NIAD]

Thanks 5-11under, I have to bookmark that thread already!

[mimo]

In my (limited) experience Coleco motherboards are a PITA to de-solder, it is VERY easy you lift a pad or wreck a trace.

[Tupin]

Really? I have a desoldering iron so that helps with removing them the chips. I'll just go slowly soldering in the socket, should be easier than a controller port.

[Tupin]

Bought the necessary parts:

 

http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=52K3280

 

http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=08F7453

[Tupin]

Got it open using Slowcoder's tutorial, but mine must be an odd revision because it has no ground braid and the RF shielding is soldered on...

[Tupin]

Here's a pic of my board:

 

 

I can't fold it over like a book, and I have no idea how to remove the tabs, my soldering iron won't do it.