Atari 2600 "Light Sixer" questions

[CRTGAMER]

The left controller port is missing a pin, and I guess that's what's causing random spinning in my games
Is this possible replaceable?

It looks broke off, but you might get lucky and the pin is just pushed in. Take a look from the inside, just maybe you can push it back out again. The nine pine port can be replaced, although it might be easier to just wire in a nine port plug with a short cable. Mounting onto the PCB will be tricky without the original part.

[Luigiman]

Unfortunately, no such luck. I'm not very good at working with small electronics, so it looks as if I will have to sell this for parts, and try to break even.

This is the first Atari I've found as well, and it's perfectly working other than the controller port. It's also a great model.

Rrrggh my long search begins again...

[cookie monster]

Unfortunately, no such luck. I'm not very good at working with small electronics, so it looks as if I will have to sell this for parts, and try to break even.

This is the first Atari I've found as well, and it's perfectly working other than the controller port. It's also a great model.

Rrrggh my long search begins again...

Aww man that sucks i may have a system in my garage if you want i can take a look. I know i had at least 2 running around that i was missing power cords for.

[Hobie-wan]

I agree it should be fixable, will just take some doing. Finding a matching plug might or might not be possible, but maybe might be able to replace just the pin. I'm sure it is broken off because it looks golden in the one picture, which is the color of the metal inside the silver plating.

[Luigiman]

I could try, but I'm not good at tinkering with small electronics.
I'll see what I can do, but I'll probably end up having to replace it.

...how would I even attempt a repair like this?

[CRTGAMER]

I could try, but I'm not good at tinkering with small electronics.
I'll see what I can do, but I'll probably end up having to replace it.

...how would I even attempt a repair like this?

Look at it this way, not too much a cost to try and get the satisfaction when you complete the repair.

Pop open the cover and see if you can pull the pin the rest of the way out from the inside. A handheld pin drill can also work to free the broken pin, go a smaller size first. Snip the end of the broken pin from the PCB in a way where the replacement pin has support to keep it in place when a joystick is plugged in.

You will need a brass or copper thin rod that can be soldered to the cut off pin at the back. A hardware store might have some copper wire nails or thin brass rod that might work. File the end to a blunted point so the joystick will plug in easily. After soldering, a bit of epoxy will help to keep the pin in check.

[ApolloBoy]

I think it's much more worth it to actually replace the connector as opposed to fixing it. DB9 connectors are dirt cheap and all you need is just a soldering iron, solder and some kind of desoldering tool. You can even use connectors meant for PC serial ports as long as you unscrew the bolts on each side and clip off the two ground lugs.

EDIT: I happen to have a spare 2600 board and I can scavenge a controller port from that if you'd like.

[Luigiman]

Thanks for the offer, but I will attempt to replace it with a regular DB9 connector first.

But I must figure out how to remove this controller plug, and with school starting I'm very busy, so it will probably be a while before I get to this.