atari 2600 jr not working

[crazzywolfie]

i picked up a non working atari 2600 jr in a deal with a couple other atari 2600's. the guy threw it in as "parts" but i wouldn't mind trying to get it working if possible. it seems to get power since the light comes on when you turn it up but the tv does not do anything. no black screen, no flicker. just snow. i also notice that when i unplug the power adapter from it with the system on the power light on the system stays on for an extra 5-10 seconds before it fully goes off which could be part of problem. i don't see any obvious issues with any of the things. i am not overly good when it comes to testing circuits since i don't have a whole lot of tools for testing this type of stuff but i do got a somewhat decent($50) multi meter since i do use it for working on my 33 year old truck.

thanks in advance for any help.

 

[crazzywolfie]

anyone? i would really hate it to be a parts only system. it would nice if it could be fixed. i wouldn't mind being able to sell it so that i could put the money toward buying other vintage game systems. my collection has slowly been growing over the last 10 years. got a bit over 400 games in total.

Edited February 22, 2014 by crazzywolfie

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

Patience, sometimes it takes a couple days to get response, the person who might end up helping maybe has yet to see this post...........

[FAST RS]

Check voltages to the 7805 those normally go bad.

[JadeETC]

Nice collection! Hope your Jr. Gets fixed.

[crazzywolfie]

thank you. voltage into the 7805 is 13v and it is only putting out 0.68 and it should be putting out 5v so that is most likely the issue. heating up mt soldering iron as i type this. i have some spare 7805's leftover from a upgrade that i was suppose to do to my truck but have not got around to yet.

[crazzywolfie]

ok i replaced the 7805 and now my tv at least flickers when i turn the atari on but not getting any picture.

[FAST RS]

You used heat sink compund correct? How is is hooked up to the TV?

[crazzywolfie]

no heat sink compound used i figure i would see if i could get the system working first. i am using the atari video cable that i use with the other atari 2600 jr

[FAST RS]

I would put some compund under the 7805 I forgot to put some on one and it overheaed and threw sparks. Are you sure you are on the correct channel? Try wiggleing the wire from the atari to the tv and see if that helps. Perhaps you have a bad F type connector on the TV? Could you take pics of your setup?

[crazzywolfie]

i am not too worried about adding compound unless the system starts working. i am 100% sure it is on the right channel. i have satellite so the tv stays on channel 3. the wire works fine when hooked to my other atari 2600 jr

[FAST RS]

I doubt this will work but try changeing your TV setting from Cable to Antena.

[FAST RS]

I am wondering if where the connector plugs into the back of the atari is loose I had to take one I was selling apart and bend the connector up that the male part of the RF cord makes contact with.

 

I am thowing out suggestions since I physically cant look at it.

[RickR]

Could be one of the chips. TIA, RIOT, or CPU. You might take the shielding off the motherboard, take those chips off and reseat them.

[crazzywolfie]

if it is one of the chips i might just get rid of it as parts. i got a bit of patience here and there for fixing game systems but don't like sitting there all day trying to fix 1 system.

I doubt this will work but try changeing your TV setting from Cable to Antena.

the tv don't seem to have that option.

 

I am wondering if where the connector plugs into the back of the atari is loose I had to take one I was selling apart and bend the connector up that the male part of the RF cord makes contact with.

 

I am thowing out suggestions since I physically cant look at it.

the power adapter did have some broken solder joints but repaired those when i replaced the voltage regulator.

[FAST RS]

Check the chips like was stated earlier. If you decide to toss it let me know I would love to take a crack at it since I have too much free time right now.

[crazzywolfie]

i will give it another once over but i don't remember seeing anything that looked bad. may just have to toss it on the back burner for now. i really got too many projects on the go right now.

[thecrypticodor]

 

Your not trying to use a automatic swichbox like one from a NES or Genesis are you? Some people don't realize this but the RF signal that second gen consoles generate is not strong enough to fully trigger a automatic switchbox.

[crazzywolfie]

no. i am using the manual switch that came with one of my systems.