How to Repair a Nintendo NES When the Power Light Flashes or the Screen is Scrambled
Posted: Sunday, January 24, 2010
by Bruce Horst
WryteStuff
I have been a big fan of Nintendo ever since becoming the proud owner of an original Nintendo NES gaming system complete with R. O. B. the robot and gun in the late 1980's. If you've owned one of these consoles for very long your NES has likely developed the symptoms of bad connections with the game cartridge, which usually exhibits itself as displaying a scrambled image and/or a flashing power light, or sometimes a completely blue screen. Typically if you wiggle the cartridge while it is still inside the console you can sometimes get the game to work. Over time even this will work less and less frequently.
The problem is in the mechanism that connects the main circuit board to the cartridge, often referred to a ‘J-Connector" or the "72-pin connector." As an electronics repair guy, I've fixed dozens of these, but finally mine has stopped working and it's time to fix it, too. I'm going to let my 9-year-old son Nick fix it while I instruct him and take some pictures. I've promised him a game of Duck Hunt after it is repaired.
Materials Needed:
The solution is fairly simple. All it takes is the removal of 22 philips-head screws to replace the J-connector and the NES is as good as new. A new J-connector can easily be found on Amazon or ebay for $3.99.
1. Remove the top of the case.
With the NES disconnected and upside-down, remove the 6 screws from the bottom of the case. Flip the console back to the upright position and remove the top portion of the case.
2. Remove the RF shield.
You should be able to see the RF shield which is a metal top that covers the top of the electronics inside. The RF shield can be removed after 8 screws are take out from around the sides and back.
3. Remove the cartridge carriage.
The cartridge carriage is the black plastic apparatus which resides at the center of the unit. It is what holds the cartridge when it is inserted. It is held in place with 6 screws, 3 on either side. After the screws are removed you can pull the carriage up and forward to removed it.
4. Remove the final two screws.
The final 2 screws are on diagonal corners of the RF modulator. This is the metal box at the back-right side of the console.
5. Remove the old J-connector.
Once all these screws are removed, gently remove the entire circuit board assembly. The J-connector can then be unplugged from the rear of the main circuit board.
6. Insert the new connector and re-assemble the unit in reverse order.
I won't spend any time describing this as Nick was able to do this without instruction. Make sure all parts are seated properly before tightening any screws.
You will notice that cartridges will now have a more snug fit when inserted. This means the cartridges will have a better connection.
Now it's time for Duck Hunt!
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Good article!My understanding is that the gun zapper doesn't work on LCD/plasma televisions. How are you playing Duck Hunt on that?That's why the dog is laughing! Good catch.
Thank you for this article.
This was a very informative article. I think I could tackle this repair. Wish all instructions were that clear.
Very informative.keep it up
You kept my attention all the way through the article. Now we all know that I will never actually fix my own Nintendo, yet I enjoyed reading your instructions. Maybe it was the pictures that helped too. Have to tell you that the last picture is the best! The expression on his face is priceless. Terrific!
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