Non-functioning SNES Cart

[threetoed]

I recently acquired a copy of Mystical Ninja for the SNES, but it does not work. When I turn it on, I just get a black screen and a buzz or hum. If I wait a while, the screen briefly goes all yellow, then back to black.

I cleaned the contacts with isopropyl alcohol, which didn't work. Then I opened it up and cleaned it with the same and still no dice.

One thing I noticed when I opened it up was that there was a scar across one of the traces on the PCB. It definitely breaks the connection. I'm guessing this is the problem, but the cut is so neat, I'm wondering if it is supposed to be there. It looks like someone took a small blade screwdriver and just scratched out that one connection. And it's inside the case, so it's unlikely that it could have been normal wear and tear.

If that cut is not supposed to be there, what is the best way to reconnect it? I have to sand off the ends around the cut, because they are corroded. It's so small that I think sandpaper might rough up the board or break other connectors, is there something else I could use? Then I plan to just put a tiny bit of solder across the gap. Is this the best plan?

Thanks,

[Hobie-wan]

Instead of trying to bridge the break if it is in a small area near other things, follow the traces and solder a jumper wire to bigger or more accessible areas at the ends.

[threetoed]

Thanks. Your advice was, of course, the best way to do it. I didn't think I would be able to, since the trace ran under the chip, so I didn't know which pin it was supposed to go to. I don't know why I didn't think about just checking the continuity with a multimeter, which is what I did. Oddly, my results (i.e. which pin on the cartridge went to which pin on the ROM chip) didn't match any of the diagrams I found online.

The fix worked, however, so thanks for the advice.

[Hobie-wan]

Awesome, glad you rescued it.