All colecovisions have these problems. Just today, I decided to try and fix mine again. It's actually pretty simple, but requires a lot of elbow grease. You have to open it, which can be difficult if you don't take the screws out, instead of just letting them sit in their holes. And now that it's open, take some plyers, pull the left side of the metal shield surrounding the power switch upwards. This will bend the metal down against the switch, giving it a better contact.
You will also have to remove some plastic from the "switch", it's difficult to explain though. I can make a simple diagram on how it's supposed to look.
Forgot to mention, my colecovision works almost every time now. When the graphics or colours mess up, I just hit Reset. That only happens with games that weren't taken care of from previous owners.
It definitely made the switch feel more secure, but it didn't help the graphical problem (that is, it didn't make it better nor did it make it worse). So I'm guessing you had a different problem than me. Thanks for trying though. :3
Update: I have graphical problems again. I have to either disassemble the switch and sand the contacts with sandpaper, or replace it with a new switch. I'm gonna try and fix again today.
Update: The thing finally works. But I had to modify it. I completely removed the old power switch and installed a new one which is now located at the back of the system, where the channel 3/4 switch is. It was a real pain in the ass, but it's worth having a fully functional colecovision. I can't find any instructions on the 'net, but if I could do it, anyone could. Btw, the replacement switch has to be a "double throw" switch.
In my case, it was usually a voltage/power problem. If you have a second power supply, try it, it may fix the problem... or try to gently move the power cable and press reset, maybe the cable is not in good condition and if it's not right placed it may gives bad voltages and corrupt the video output.
Woah, that's the last thing I would've thought it was. Didn't know that could effect the graphics of the game. Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a shot. =D
I just bought a new power adapter for my ColecoVision today, so hopefully that's all the problem is.
I think this problem might've originally been caused from me leaving the console on for a long period of time. It's difficult to notice whether it's on or off because of the fact that it lacks a power LED. I may have left it on for even a week without realizing it, and that may have worn out the power adapter. We'll see when I get the new one and test it out.
@wikes85 That's what I thought it was at first, but then i noticed that the console was behaving like that with every game. And I air-blue the cartridge pin connector clean, so Im thinking the problem is something internally with the system itself.. :l
We took it apart at school and cleaned out what we could of the insides, but that didn't help.
Aaah, it's most likely just dirty connectors in the console and in the cartridge. I know the NES was prone to problems like that, but I don't really know anything about the ColecoVision. But I'm pretty sure that's what it is.
Hopefully you can fix it soon.
"COLECUCLFGU
CABBECA PAPCH KI@S A@RAJTRRAS IJ PHA PARK"
that almost sorta looks like it's written in cyrillic haha
U look so stoned ! Lol
allen2441 3 days ago
You have those glitches because some Dynamic RAM modules are dead, that's all.
gibs2b 6 months ago
All colecovisions have these problems. Just today, I decided to try and fix mine again. It's actually pretty simple, but requires a lot of elbow grease. You have to open it, which can be difficult if you don't take the screws out, instead of just letting them sit in their holes. And now that it's open, take some plyers, pull the left side of the metal shield surrounding the power switch upwards. This will bend the metal down against the switch, giving it a better contact.
KoshKolosh 1 year ago
You will also have to remove some plastic from the "switch", it's difficult to explain though. I can make a simple diagram on how it's supposed to look.
KoshKolosh 1 year ago
Forgot to mention, my colecovision works almost every time now. When the graphics or colours mess up, I just hit Reset. That only happens with games that weren't taken care of from previous owners.
KoshKolosh 1 year ago
@KoshKolosh
I went and tried your suggestion.
It definitely made the switch feel more secure, but it didn't help the graphical problem (that is, it didn't make it better nor did it make it worse). So I'm guessing you had a different problem than me. Thanks for trying though. :3
Matrix803 1 year ago
Update: I have graphical problems again. I have to either disassemble the switch and sand the contacts with sandpaper, or replace it with a new switch. I'm gonna try and fix again today.
KoshKolosh 1 year ago
Update: The thing finally works. But I had to modify it. I completely removed the old power switch and installed a new one which is now located at the back of the system, where the channel 3/4 switch is. It was a real pain in the ass, but it's worth having a fully functional colecovision. I can't find any instructions on the 'net, but if I could do it, anyone could. Btw, the replacement switch has to be a "double throw" switch.
KoshKolosh 1 year ago
@KoshKolosh I bet the issue appeared again...right ?
gibs2b 6 months ago
In my case, it was usually a voltage/power problem. If you have a second power supply, try it, it may fix the problem... or try to gently move the power cable and press reset, maybe the cable is not in good condition and if it's not right placed it may gives bad voltages and corrupt the video output.
newcoleco 1 year ago
@newcoleco
Woah, that's the last thing I would've thought it was. Didn't know that could effect the graphics of the game. Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a shot. =D
Matrix803 1 year ago
@newcoleco
I just bought a new power adapter for my ColecoVision today, so hopefully that's all the problem is.
I think this problem might've originally been caused from me leaving the console on for a long period of time. It's difficult to notice whether it's on or off because of the fact that it lacks a power LED. I may have left it on for even a week without realizing it, and that may have worn out the power adapter. We'll see when I get the new one and test it out.
Matrix803 1 year ago
@wikes85 That's what I thought it was at first, but then i noticed that the console was behaving like that with every game. And I air-blue the cartridge pin connector clean, so Im thinking the problem is something internally with the system itself.. :l
We took it apart at school and cleaned out what we could of the insides, but that didn't help.
Matrix803 1 year ago
Aaah, it's most likely just dirty connectors in the console and in the cartridge. I know the NES was prone to problems like that, but I don't really know anything about the ColecoVision. But I'm pretty sure that's what it is.
Hopefully you can fix it soon.
"COLECUCLFGU
CABBECA PAPCH KI@S A@RAJTRRAS IJ PHA PARK"
that almost sorta looks like it's written in cyrillic haha
wilkes85 1 year ago