SNES repair advice

[Elemental]

Ok, after a long break, I am back posting here again.

Anyways, I recently came across an SNES for free. A friend of mine had it sitting in a box, and had no idea if it worked, and just gave it to me. At first it would only start up sometimes. After cleaning the games (Super Mario All-Stars is the only one really worth mentioning) and the cartridge slot, I got it to start up the games every time. Unfortunately, once I got into the games, I found the first controller port did not work. I have tried multiple controllers, and can confirm that it is the port itself, as all the controllers work fine when plugged in to the second port. I can sometimes get one button to work on the first controller, but it is the Y button, and instead of being the Y button it acts as a right on the control pad.

Does anybody know of a way to fix this? I have never had an SNES apart so I have no idea how the controller port is connected to the circuit board, and I do not have the security bit to crack it open. I have cleaned the contacts on the port to make sure everything is contacting, and it still doesn't work. Is it even worth fixing, or should I just go ahead and buy another on ebay?

Thanks!

[Pullmyfinger]

It probably is cheaper and easier to get one locally, kinda like how you got that one

[elph]

If you're fixing it, it would probably be a for fun activity... I've seen a pen hack used to get around the security bit (pull the writing end out, heat with a lighter or gas stove, let it melt a little and then smash it on.). Then you'd just have to check the wiring and the contacts. If you can't figure it out, you could always solder an extension cable to the insides. Note that the SNES only uses 4 of the pins on the first player port (when using one single controller).

[extrarice]

Depending on how good the case looks on the one you have, you could pick up a horribly yellowed/beat up SNES on ebay that still works, and change out the guts.

[mason]

thats a good idea!

[Elemental]

If you're fixing it, it would probably be a for fun activity... I've seen a pen hack used to get around the security bit (pull the writing end out, heat with a lighter or gas stove, let it melt a little and then smash it on.). Then you'd just have to check the wiring and the contacts. If you can't figure it out, you could always solder an extension cable to the insides. Note that the SNES only uses 4 of the pins on the first player port (when using one single controller).

I think I am going to buy a bit and crack it open. I did find a pretty good pic of the board on benheck.com's forum:
http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?t=19919

Looks like the controllers ports are on a separate board, and and connected to the main board via a ribbon cable. Once I crack it open I will check the solder joints behind the first controller port, and if that doesn't work I might just take extrarice's advice, because the case is perfect.

[racketboy]

Depending on how good the case looks on the one you have, you could pick up a horribly yellowed/beat up SNES on ebay that still works, and change out the guts.

And if it's just yellowed, spraypaint it with some nice Krylon Fusion paint (good for plastics) and then sell it as a customized shell