N64 Help - Broken AV Input?

[Zincathon]

Hello everyone !

I purchased an N64 recently. Much to my dismay, it does not fully work. I have cleaned it 100% top to bottom, but it does not work.

The exact problem is that it doesn't register that it is plugged into the TV. This has nothing to do with the type of TV because I also tried with my old CRT. This also has nothing to do with the games because it did this before I even had a game, and still does it now that I have games. The N64 shows that the power is on (red light is on), it just won't connect to the TV. I also tried an RF Modulator and it still wouldn't show anything.

I have a personally modded NES; I'm not a 100% noob at this stuff. Just thought I'd throw that in there for any of you "Don't blow on the cartridge" advice-giver people ;D

What should I do :T? Is there a replacement part for the AV section of the motherboard? Should I get a brand new motherboard? Any constructive help would be much appreciated !

[emwearz]

If you have not tried it, remove the jumper / expansion pack and put it back in.

I know that if it is not seated properly the console will not output anything. I know this is on par with "Don't blow on the cartridge", but if you have not done it, process of elimination is always a plus.

[Zincathon]

I did try it a few times and it didn't change anything. I will be getting the expansion pak relatively soon. I'll get that before I open up the N64 for any intense fixes.

[pierrot]

This also has nothing to do with the games because it did this before I even had a game, and still does it now that I have games. The N64 shows that the power is on (red light is on), it just won't connect to the TV.

Going by this statement, I'm not sure you've ruled out the cartridge slot/cartridges. The N64 doesn't output anything without a cartridge. Occam's razor, and such.

If you want to focus on the multi-out, try testing the traces from the VDC to the multi-out.

[Exhuminator]

The exact problem is that it doesn't register that it is plugged into the TV.

If you're saying it won't output a signal, a few ideas:

First off there has to be a cartridge in it to work, you probably know this. Make sure you clean the cartridge contacts and cartridge slot as best you can for a solid connection though. If one cart won't work, try another cart, because a cart itself might have died.

It's possible the N64 A/V cable itself is damaged, try using another one.

It's also possible a solder connection in the A/V port has gone bad. If that's the case, it's not too hard to fix:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repairing+ ... Port/20102

[Zincathon]

Thank you for your guys' input. I got it working ! Turns out it was my jumper pak. Changed it out for the expansion pak and it works now ^_^

[Ziggy]

Thank you for your guys' input. I got it working ! Turns out it was my jumper pak. Changed it out for the expansion pak and it works now ^_^

FYI, the Jumper Pak is... just a jumper. There's nothing about it that would "go bad". RDRAM requires empty RAM slots to be terminated with "dummy" sticks, hence the N64's Jumper Pak. If reseating it didn't help, the contacts on it where probably just dirty.

Anyway, glad you got it working with the Expansion Pak. You really want an Expansion Pak in there anyway.

[Zincathon]

the contacts on it where probably just dirty.

Exactly what I was implying