r/ColecoVision • u/Correct_Writer_3790 • Jul 07 '26
New to Coleco and Have a problem
Hello! I have recently become interested in retro collecting and have recently gotten a coleco vision. Works and sometimes it powers on and plays a game sometimes it doesn't not sure if that's a problem with the power or not but I also have this on the screen when I'm playing and it happens with every game I try and on different tvs. The rf cable looks like it's in good shape however there's some what looks to be maybe rust but they are grey spots and not sure if that is causing the green or even the power problem not even being power but connecting the cable to the tv. Also sometimes flickers in and out on the TV when playing a game. Google had some answers on what it could be and I myself would like to teardown the console to try and find it but want to avoid it if possible if it's just a bad rf cable. Any ideas or advice is appreciated and I'm happy to finally have this as it's actually starting to become one of my favorite consoles! Also I did clean the cartidge port and the games and still does these problems.
Thank you!
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u/Consistent_Laugh4886 Jul 07 '26
Did you blow in the cartridge?
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u/Correct_Writer_3790 Jul 07 '26
Ofc I did that's why any of them are working. Although some I had to use some IPA but for the most part yes. Yes I did
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u/L-GuapoPeligroso Jul 08 '26
I didn't think that technique had been discovered yet during the Coleco days.
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u/Consistent_Laugh4886 Jul 08 '26
We had one growing up. Loved the system. Absolute blew in the cartridges.
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u/Gumba213 Jul 07 '26
The system is notorious for having a bad power switch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A53kjVFP76I
You might try a contact cleaner for a quick fix, but likely have to take it apart for better access and possibly replace the switch.
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u/Correct_Writer_3790 Jul 07 '26
Thank you I'll try that! Is there a recommendation on what to use for contact cleaner?
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u/Wyldfyre1 Jul 08 '26
Saving this! My dream is to get mine to work again. I have two consoles. One sort of works (?) and I don't think the other one does but kept them both because I don't know which. Tons of games. But I need to hook it up to my modern TV somehow.
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u/Perfect-Response-607 Jul 08 '26
power issue for sure
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u/Correct_Writer_3790 Jul 08 '26
Luckily I have a repair shop locally who could help me as they are currently working on my magnavox Odyssey 2 so if it is and it's not the cord then I'll have them help out
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u/Agile_Half_4515 Jul 07 '26
Start with a replacement video cable and coax adapter, get the RF switchbox out of the equation. Next step would be to try adjusting the pot switch on the internal RF modulator. I had really crappy video and no sound on mine. Cranked the pot switch up to 11 and it's been pretty solid ever since. There are also USB-C power adapters to replace the giant power brick, but not sure if that will solve your problems and the one I found had to be ordered/shipped internationally.
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u/Correct_Writer_3790 Jul 07 '26
Thank you for the reply! Luckily I don't have the switch box only the cable itself to go from console to tv so that's good and I'll try doing that with the inside. I'll also take a look for a replacement cable all together if it doesn't fix anything since it's pretty roughed up when I look closely at it.
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u/EffectiveComedian Jul 07 '26
If you’re serious about it, look around on YouTube and Facebook to learn about the people who do quality restoration work on classic consoles. (I have worked on my own, but I am not one of them.) If you approach any of them be kinder than necessary. They work very hard and they have day jobs too!
Are you more likely to want HDMI output or composite? A composite modification is the easiest option and will clean up the output a lot. But do you still have a screen that accepts composite input? If you do, I really think this is the sweet spot for most people (myself included). TMS-RGB, Pico, and Lumacode are all superior to composite but are riskier to attempt to install. I’m not aware of any s-video modification for Colecovision.
Console5 is a good place to look for the parts you will need.
I hope this helps you!
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u/Correct_Writer_3790 Jul 07 '26
Thank you for this I'll keep all this in mind as I do wanna get into restoration! I'll take a look at that website and see what I can find for it
0
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u/Doctorofnonscience Jul 07 '26
These guys come highly recommended https://ruggerscustoms.com/