Sega CDX has a bad Genesis cart pin connector - What do?

[firstmarker]

Hi all - first post.

Just picked up a CDX from ebay - the CD drive works fine, but when I went to test some Genesis carts, I was having trouble getting them to boot. Narrowed it down to the fact that the cartridge pin connector is a little loose and has the slightest amount of wobble. Once I get a game seated and booted, touching the cartridge will freeze up the system. It's so sensitive that a slight tug on the controller cord might freeze it up.

Is this common in Genesis consoles? I probably have the skills to open her up and try to tighten it down, or resolder if necessary. Worth a shot, or is there something I don't know about CDX repair?

The other option is to send it back to the seller, which would be a bummer. It wasn't a bad deal and cosmetically it's in great shape.

Thoughts?

[Ziggy]

I think it was Hobie that said it's pretty crammed inside the CDX. I kinda remember him saying something about it looking really delicate like he didn't wanna touch it. If you're handy with this kinda thing, I say try and fix it yourself.

By loose I'm assuming you mean the cart connector is worn. This is common, it will happen to any console eventually. You can bend the pins back into shape so they'll hold the cart tighter (thus making better contact). You're also gonna wanna clean them as good as you can. Even if you have already, I was suggest cleaning them again after you work on them just to take it out of the equation when you're trying to get it to work. So that being said, obviously, make sure you're using a nice clean cart as well.

Check out this link: http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/ ... e-cart.htm

If you're good with soldering, you could desolder the cart connector so it'll be much easier to work on.

It doesn't look hard to do or anything. Just long, tedious, repetitive work. I have to do this to a couple of console myself (damn Saturn cart connector!) but have been putting it off.

[firstmarker]

Thanks for the link.

On a few Mega Drives, mmmonkey noticed that games will only load if the cartridge is pushed towards the back or front of the console, the cartridge doesn't have a nice snug fit, it's actually got quite a wobble.

This is my problem. The range of wobble is great enough so that if touched, the cartridge is becoming disconnected. Ugh!

I just compared the cartridge pin connector with my Genesis 1, and the pins on the CDX connector are laying completely flat - like the first picture on the linked page, but maybe even worse!

This thing must have been in storage with a cart inserted...

I guess I'll just have to try bringing the pins back out as described on that page. Wonder if I can manage to do it without disassembly...

Thanks! I'll report back on whether this fixes the issue.

[Ziggy]

This thing must have been in storage with a cart inserted...

Maybe a previous owner used a 32X in there and it got knocked around a bit.

Wonder if I can manage to do it without disassembly...

I'm sure you can. It'll just be harder because you'll have to hold the cart door open and work in the confined space. If you wanna open the console up, you'll be able to get at it easier (and from more angles). If you desolder the connector, you'll be able to get at it even easier. That is, if you have the skills to desolder and resolder it. Definitely don't attempt it if you're not able to.

Thanks! I'll report back on whether this fixes the issue.

Definitely. Good luck!

[Hobie-wan]

I think it was Hobie that said it's pretty crammed inside the CDX. I kinda remember him saying something about it looking really delicate like he didn't wanna touch it. If you're handy with this kinda thing, I say try and fix it yourself.

Indeed that was me. Since it seems you've figured out the pins need bending, I'd just roll up some paper or something to stuff in one side of the door while you work on the opposite side pins. It will probably still be easier than disassembling the unit.

[firstmarker]

Thanks for the suggestion - still haven't gotten around to trying this. Maybe I'll pick up an exacto knife this weekend.

[Hobie-wan]

I would suggest taking a pin and bending the end to use that. Trying to wedge an xacto blade in there probably won't work very well and if you slip you'll end up carving on the plastic. Xacto blades are a little brittle when pried sideways anyway. I have broken many a point off doing that and you don't want random bits of metal rattling around in the CDX.

I'd find a longer pin, but this gives you an idea what I mean. http://www.raphnet.net/electronique/nes ... d_en.php#8

[firstmarker]

Good point on the brittle blades. That hooked safety pin looks way safer. Thanks!

[Ziggy]

I've found a set of dental picks to be indispensable when tinkering with things. You can get a set of two with a mirror for a few bucks at any drug store, department store, supermarket, etc (look where the toothbrushes are) for only a few bucks. I've never tried to bend the pins of cart slots back into shape, but a dental pick might work nicely. I end up using mine often.

Hmm, these look nicer than the cheap ones I have...





Maybe I'll get a new set some time.

[Hobie-wan]

Hmm, these look nicer than the cheap ones I have...

Wow those are cheap. I have some nice probes and tweezers already, but some of those other shapes would come in handy occasionally.