GBA-SP Not Holding a Charge

[BurningDoom]

My GBA-SP isn't holding it's charge. I plugged it in to recharge, and after a couple of minutes, the light goes off and it stops charging. I tried using the charger from my DS on it, and the same thing happened. So it's not the charger, it's the GBA-SP itself. What a shame. It's the handheld I play more than any other handheld I own, more than my DS, more than my Game Gear, and more than my Neo Geo Pocket Color; probably more than all 3 combined.

I was wondering if anyone knew if this was a common problem, and if so, is there an easy fix? Or am I gonna have to buy another GBA-SP?

[Hobie-wan]

It's an old system. The battery is probably just tired and in need of replacement.

[dsheinem]

Nope, Hobes. I have the same issue and with a fresh battery.

Some research suggests that it is related to the fuses on the board, which are small and hard (for me) to replace. Check here for an example: http://benheck.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=42338

Anyone have a good condition AGS-101 they are looking to sell?

[flojocabron]

Sometimes its also the power switch.

Every time it turned off and on, there are times that a gameboy powers on red.

When you turn it off and restart it, it sometimes goes back to green.

this could be related to that fuse thing DSH said.

This happened to mine as well, it messes up with GBC games too.

Such is the sad fate of our fave old systems.

[Hobie-wan]

Nope, Hobes. I have the same issue and with a fresh battery.

Some research suggests that it is related to the fuses on the board, which are small and hard (for me) to replace. Check here for an example: http://benheck.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=42338

Anyone have a good condition AGS-101 they are looking to sell?

Well there's nothing conclusive in that thread as the person bridged the fuses then never really answered. Heck, they never even noted whether they simply checked if the fuses were blown or not. In that thread they also said the light went back out after a few seconds. Burningdoom said his GBA acts like it charging for a few minutes, then acts like it is charged and the light goes off. That sounds like a battery that's capacity is spent and no longer holds a charge to me. He also said he uses the system a lot, so it has been through a lot of charge cycles.

I don't know for certain what's wrong, but if a fuse was blown, it isn't going to pretend to charge for a few minutes before shutting off.

[BoringSupreez]

I agree that it sounds more like the battery is in need of replacement than a bad fuse. It's an easy fix too: just get a screwdriver, remove the battery cover, and put a new one in. It's about as simple as replacing a cell phone battery. They can be found on Amazon or Nintendo.com for about $15.

[ExedExes]

What they all said. Sometimes it happens with mine, but always make sure the cord is securely plugged in too. Turns out one time I had it in kinda loose. Also, make sure the power switch when turned on is all the way up for I have also encountered the red light on a good charge because of that too.

[BurningDoom]

Just ordered a battery off of eBay. If it doesn't work, no big deal, it was under $5.

[Anapan]

I have a couple extra AGS101's (new brighter model) around - I keep buying them when good deals show up. I can give you a good deal on a NM one, or send a heavily scuffed one for cost of shipping... PM to discuss.