Re-tin N64 cartridge edge contacts?

[SoltanGris]

Picked up a cheap copy of Paper Mario that was a Blockbuster rental. The metal contacts seem to have lines etched in them from a million uses. I can make it work if I insert it partially into the system, but this was an un-used N64 and I don't want to damage it.

I though about flowing solder over each contact but solder is soft and I wouldn't want bits falling into the edge connector on my pristine N64

Any ideas or experiences?

[mjmjr25]

I wouldn't worry about solder flaking off into your system. I would worry about solder being thicker than the original contacts and stretching out your pins connector.

That said - it sounds like yr already a bit anal about your pristine system. Maybe buy a used system to play, and put the one yr worried about on display or something.

[SoltanGris]

Yeah, sounds like a cheap used N64 is the way to go. Still might try the solder idea with a little braid to help smooth it out to fill the scratches but not build up thickness.

[skate323k137]

Solder should be an absolute last resort by all means.

Clean with a soft pencil eraser, followed by alcohol and qtips, then compressed air to dry. This has worked for every cart I've owned from NES, to NEO-GEO, to Genesis etc.

There's also nothing wrong with leaving the cart just slightly short of all the way into the slot. If it works, it works.

[Ziggy]

Solder should be an absolute last resort by all means.

I agree.

[SoltanGris]

Tomorrow I'm going to at least open it and look closely at the contacts with a magnifier to see if it just dirt (did the eraser already) or if it really is copper removed from board. OK no solder

[Ziggy]

Tomorrow I'm going to at least open it and look closely at the contacts with a magnifier to see if it just dirt (did the eraser already) or if it really is copper removed from board. OK no solder

Oh, you didn't open it yet? Some carts are just so stubbornly dirty that you HAVE to open them to clean them properly. Using rubbing alcohol or electrical contact cleaner and a piece of cotton to scrub the pins.

[SoltanGris]

Got it working on the first try! It was filthy! Once the board was out of the case it was obvious how really grimey it was. Took several scrubs with an eraser and a few spray downs with contact cleaner but now it works every time. The lower half of the contacts still don't look as nice as the upper half, but it is good enough for me!

Glad to know that inserting it half way wasn't damaging the console as well.

[TheSegaSaturnGuy]

I dont delve much into N64 gaming, I have had a Pokemon Stadium 2 cart for over a year that never worked. I decided to open it up and try cleaning it with a pencil eraser and it worked!

[darkcat]

Re-tin will work, just make sure you have a good lead base solder. Also make sure that you have a temperature adjustable iron. I've done this with a few games for various systems in the past and had no issues of chipping or the solder coming off. If you use a newer lead free solder it will cause issues also you need the ability to lay very precise and clean pads. Its basicly the same idea as doing a clean SMT chip (very few people can do this). Another thing you can do is Re plate them after cleaning.

As said that would be a last resort decision I glad you where able to get it working just cleaning it.