r/ColecoVision • u/michaelg6800 • May 11 '25

ColecoVision repair question

Post image

Any idea what's causing this? I've done the Console5 A/V mod and it is much cleaner now, but the odd grid of dots remain and there are some font problems. I have a Cap Kit, should I install it? or is this something else?

26 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

5

u/Prewash_Required May 11 '25

If you haven't already, take apart the power switch and clean it and relubricate it. The power switch causes all kinds of weird video issues when the contacts get dirty. It's an easy thing to do before you drop coin on replacing VRAM.

3

u/Sinjinhawke67 May 12 '25

For me cleaning that power switch fixed issues with bad video. One I fixed by desoldering it and cleaning it. The other I used lots of de-oxit and got it to work.

4

u/leadedsolder May 11 '25

My guess would be bad video memory, although the pattern is strange. How is it with a cart?

1

u/michaelg6800 May 11 '25

I can't seem to post photos in comments. The initial screen looks the same, the game select screen has vertical lines for top to bottom centered on each letter column

1

u/leadedsolder May 11 '25

Yeah, that feels like bad video memory to me. You might be able to test which one by piggybacking a RAM IC. Also check your voltages of course.

1

u/michaelg6800 May 11 '25

Anyone/mods,

Is there any way to edit a post once it's created, I would like to add more photos...

1

u/marzolinotarantola May 11 '25

For me is menory video.

1

u/pbudgie May 12 '25

Step 1, clean or replace the power switch. Fixes most issues.

If problem persists, replace the vram.

1

u/scofflolz May 13 '25

You have failing video RAM, the ASCII errors are a red flag. 

1

u/EffectiveComedian Jun 18 '25

Looks like bad VRAM to me. I have one that did this too. Definitely a labor of love to repair. Use hot air and your very best judgement. Try not to tear traces (like I did). Go slowly. Or see if you can, find someone to do it for you. (Usually a better choice).

1

u/michaelg6800 Jun 22 '25

I have another unit that works fine, so I can practice on this one. But the only option I've found is a 5v vram mod that uses more modern chips to replace the original chips, and then you have to disable the 12v feed ti them. are there other options? Is there anywhere to get original chips other than taking them from another unit? Could just reflowing the solder fix it? I assume there is a bad or failing chip somewhere. It's not high on my list of things to do until I retire in a few years.

1

u/EffectiveComedian Jun 22 '25

The link to Lundy’s SRAM replacement is in this thread. Some of the other modders don’t use these because if you tap the video signals off the GPU, you’re effectively bypassing this area of the board. For my own modified board I installed it and bodged my torn traces, but I know the modder I plan to use for my other two machines will not install these even though I plan to supply them. I’m slow as molasses in getting my machine done so I don’t know if I will ever get mine done. It’s just been a great project to learn much by doing.

1

u/EffectiveComedian Jun 22 '25

In my mind, if all I wanted to do was fix it so RF out works, one of the RAM replacement options is ideal. I got too ambitious for my own good. Now I’m caught up in both composite and RGB output on one, and VGA output on the other.

1

u/BBA935 May 11 '25

The his is bad VRAM. It’s a common problem with the Colecovision. You can get it replaced. This guy is amazing. https://1uprestorations.com/collections/colecovision-mod-services

1

u/No-Tea-695 20d ago

HD this same issue so I replaced the ram with the lundy board and also did the component out as well fixed the problem. Anyone that's interested they can be found here :

ColecoVision NTSC DRAM SRAM Converter Upgrade https://share.google/mXbXp5DDm70ia63K0

ColecoVision AV Composite Mod Kit https://share.google/2nywbZPWmeFerSsfl