Genesis controller problems

[bmoc]

Last weekend I picked up a model 2 Genesis at a yard sale. Got it home and thoroughly cleaned it. I fired up Sonic 2 and there was no video and a bunch of static for sound. I cleaned the cart slot some more and I was able to get video maybe 1 in 4 times but the sound was still static. At this point I noticed that the controller's D-pad did not appear to work and Sonic was constantly inching forward at a very slow pace.

Well I fixed the A/V problems by modding it with composite outputs. (My first time modding something. Go me! ) However I'm still having issues with the controller. I've cleaned the controller ports with q-tips and alcohol as best I can and I checked for broken solder points on the board. I didn't see any broken solder points but I went ahead and added a little solder to each point for the controller ports.

So do you guys think I just have a bad controller or is something else at work here? If it is the controller, any tips on how to fix it? Or should I just take my chances and buy another controller?

[fvgazi]

You can always open up the controller, clean all the contacts make sure everything looks okay. They are very easy to open up and put back together.

[Hobie-wan]

Old 8 and 16 bit controllers are pretty tough, but I have had a few broken ones come into my possession though everything looked ok with them. As mentioned, make sure the contacts for the buttons and Dpad are cleaned and also try to clean the holes in the end of the controller plug. With the console unhooked, dampen the holes in the controller plug with alcohol and un/replug it several times. Then open it up to clean inside while that part dries.

[bmoc]

I'll give that a go. Thanks for the tips!

[bmoc]

After trying the proposed fixes, I still didn't have any improvement. So I bought a new controller and plugged it in. Still no luck. The new controller does the exact same thing.

Any other ideas?

[Hobie-wan]

Corrosion on the plug pins? Any obvious damage on the board near the controller ports?

[vlame]

are the pins pushed in on the console? this was the problem i had once.

[bmoc]

That's the thing...there is no damage that I can see and everything is clean. I'm really at a loss here. I hate to give up on this guy after putting so much work into it but its starting to be more trouble than its worth. I may just sell it for parts. Thanks again for the help!