need coleco vision help

[tantone56]

My coleco vision puts out a signal to the tv but it is black and had occasional black lines run through it. Ive tried to open to coleco but I cant figure out how to slide the top off and I dont want o break it. Does anyone know a website that may help me or have any info themselves?

[Kialan]

I also have trouble with my only Coleco's picture.

It only works on channel 4, and even then it's staticky. Channel 3 is just white noise.

 

Every other console I have I use on channel 3.

[Ze_ro]

I don't know if this is your problem, but it's worth pointing out that the ColecoVision does NOT work with automatic RF switches like the one that came with the NES... you have to use a manual switch like the Atari 2600 uses.

 

Getting the Coleco open is annoying... once you have the screws out, you have to crack it open at the back, and then pull it forward, since the front plate is attached to the top piece. It's not easy, and it takes some force, so be careful or you might end up breaking it.

 

Once you have it open, try cleaning the reset switch and the power switch. Supposedly, those are the worst offenders.

 

--Zero

[tantone56]

I think doing a combination of what both of you said may save the coleco. The friggin thing is hard as hell to get off cause of that goddamn lip thats on the fornt of it. thanks guys

[wberdan]

certain cables can cause this problem as well-

try a few different style RCA cables coming out of the CV.

Some simply will not work properly.

 

Then get rid of the switchbox and buy an RCA to Cable adaptor (also known as a Female RCA to Male F Connection).

 

problem should be solved.

 

if not, then try a different power supply if you have a friend handy with a CV.

 

the power supplys can crap out and cause similar problems before they fully die.

 

 

I would try all those things, in that order- before I opened up a CV to try and clean anything.

 

 

willie

[Bruce Tomlin]

I usually open a Colecovision by removing the label from the front panel first, then removing the screws behind that. Remove it carefully if you want to keep it intact to put back later. You also have to store it somewhere while the unit is open; I usually stick it back on the front panel piece.

 

Be ready with a soldering iron before you go in, because the RF shield is soldered together.

 

And as someone else said, make sure you're not using a Nintendo/Sega RF switch. The ColecoVision does not work with those (or at least not without a rather simple mod, it doesn't) and you will either have to get a mechanical RF switch or a female RCA to male F adapter.

[Bivotar]

I had tremendous success cleaning up the picture from a CV with a fuzzy/static output by really cleaning the power switch. You can possibly get a clue if this is the culprit by wiggling the power switch when it's on (not so much as to turn it on/off) to see if the picture changes or clears up a bit.

 

Unfortunately, to really clean the switch you need to desolder it and take it apart. Tuner cleaner alone helped, but taking it apart and using very fine sandpaper to clean it is what really did it for me.

 

The suggestions about the RF cables/box are very good ones too!

 

Good luck.

[BigFairy321]

i tried to get all the crap out of my coleco but also could not succed in openning the case, i thought it may break if i pulled any harder hehe....

 

i did find a few easter chokkie wrappers in there though,,,,

 

[Zaxxon]

You people aren't even close to taking it apart correctly. You've got to carefully peel off the Colecovision label sticker so you can re-apply it and unscrew the screws beneath it first. You're just damaging the case by trying to yank it apart without unscrewing it. Some revisions have the RF shield soldered in place, most are just screwed in place.

[Zaxxon]

I also have trouble with my only Coleco's picture.    

It only works on channel 4, and even then it's staticky. Channel 3 is just white noise.

 

Every other console I have I use on channel 3.

 

It sounds like your RF modulator board is messed up. You can bypass it entirely by converting it to composite video, S-video or component video. If you don't want to work on it and want to just throw it away, send it to me instead.

[Zaxxon]

My coleco vision puts out a signal to the tv but it is black and had occasional black lines run through it.  Ive tried to open to coleco but I cant figure out how to slide the top off and I dont want o break it.  Does anyone know a website that may help me or have any info themselves?

 

Why are you trying to open it? What are you going to do once you do? I'd definately try using different PS's with it before doing anything else. CV's are finicky about the PS and one PS that may work fine with one won't work with another. Maybe try using a PC PS as described in one of the ADAM threads. I think that would give out a more consistent voltage than a 22 year old PS. I doubt it's the switch. Does it always put out a black screen even without a cart in it? BTW, "Coleco vision" is one word.

[tyranthraxus]

The spelling of Colecovision has always been a bit of mystery. While

they refer to it as one word in the manuals. On all the offical Coleco cartridge labels and boxes the words are stacked:

 

Coleco

Vision

[wberdan]

The spelling of Colecovision has always been a bit of mystery. While

they refer to it as one word in the manuals. On all the offical Coleco cartridge labels and boxes the words are stacked:

 

Coleco

Vision

 

yeah but when they stacked it they intended it as one word.

 

just kidding,

 

 

 

willie

[+RangerG]

Buy an Adam cheap and use the video out. Great picture, same Colecovision games - problem solved .