Repair or Replace Original Controller

[koolmoecraig]

What would be the best way to either repair or replace my original Intellivision controller?  It's the original unit from '79/80.

 

Anyone sell refurbish kits?

Anyone sell refurbished controllers?

Is it best to replace them with Flashback controllers?

 

Thanks for the information!

[mr_me]

What's wrong with it?

 

If it's a wire, replace the cable.

 

If the flex circuit is worn out, depending on where it is, you can try repairing with conductive paint.  Otherwise replace the flex circuit.  Someone has made modern replicas here.  https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/brand-new-mattel-intellivision-1-controller-mylar-set-38583

 

If you are luckey enough to find cheap original parts, you can try that.

 

I had a controller where the foam pad over the connector block slipped out of position.  I just peeled it off and put it back where it should be.

[Sinjinhawke]

I have a controller that is not working correctly. 

I tried replacing the mylar with a new one but it was the same results so it's not the mylar.

I swapped a known good controller to the same connector and it works fine so guess it's not the connector on the console.

 

The Good:

Disc shows correct directions when pressed.

Keypad 1, 4, 7 and Clear are correct.

 

The Bad:

Pressing

2 or 3 returns disc Down.  (binary 1)

5 or 6 returns disc Right.  (binary 2)

8 or 9 returns disc Up.  (binary 4)

0 or enter returns disc Left. (binary

Top left and both right action button return binary value of 128

Lower left nothing

 

Any suggestions?  I tried cleaning the metal contacts inside the controller with alcohol already.  Broken wire maybe?  I have a volt meter around here somewhere.  I could check for continuity. 

[mr_me]

Sounds like it's the controller cable.  Check continuity on the wires.  It's behaving like wire/pin 7 and 8 aren't working.

Edited March 10, 2021 by mr_me

[Sinjinhawke]

Confirmed.  There is no continuity with wire/pin 7 and 8.  Cannot see an obvious break.  I was going to try and pull the wires further forward (on the part inside the controller) and try to snap the connector back in on some fresh parts of the wire but part of the plastic that holds the two pieces together is broke.  Could have been me when I pulled it open thought I don't recall.  I'll keep an eye out for old controllers to scavenge.  No rush.  Got 3 other systems fully working and this one can still do single player games nicely.

 

It's not like my wife or kids are going to play a game with me.  Who needs two controllers?