A Job Lot of Faulty SNES Game Consoles from eBay - Can I Fix Them?

Hi, here we have 3 broken Super Nintendo Entertainment Systems purchased from eBay for £50. They have a mixture of faults such as no power, black screen of death and one plays the game but doesn't show the display properly.
How many can be fixed, none? 1,2 or 3....let's find out.

If you have an interesting 'non returnable' item for a 'trying to fix' video then my PO box is as follows. Please only use if you are from the UK and using Royal Mail.

PO Box 2597
WATFORD
WD18 1HT
UK

Remember that this is just for entertainment and I am not an expert in these repairs. The processes in the video may not be the best way, the correct way or the safest way to fix these things. I do love fault finding and trying to fix broken things, so I hope that comes across in this 'Trying to FIX' series. Many thanks, Vince.

[HoneybadgerZombies]

I like how real this is. Having no clue what could be wrong. He makes mistakes. He acknowledges them. And he shows us that he's human. I love it ❤❤

[SparksNZeros]

some common issues ive found when working on pal snes, the pico fuse (the little floating component) fails extremely often just from age but typically because of the 7805 voltage transformer failing also. the four rear most smd capacitors should always be replaced, they fail constantly but often leave the snes working in an intermittent state and eventually cause a black screen when they die, when they leak they can wreck the whole power circuit or often the audio. next cartridge ports have a tendency to condensate moisture and wick it down on to the board connector meaning the port can look clean but the board connector itself is corroded, its also good to check the boards underside for cracked solder joints on the connector. next step is the reset switch can often stick causing a reset loop that looks like a black screen, just desoldering it can be a good way to diagnose if its at fault. then finally the hardest to fix is cpu/ppu chip failure, although with flux and hot air they can be exchanged from donor boards the likelyhood is that even working chips will fail when exposed to even a fairly low temperature making it a challenging task.

[jefffan]

Hey Vince. Great video. For the really Yellow ones, would you think it may be worth another try at the de-yellowing technique used by odd tinkering? He seems to have tremendous results and would strengthen the plastic on the most yellow. But even with retro bright they look great. You're definitely a legend. Videos are so open and honest and the work always insightful

[owoden]

The old game system repairs are definitely my favorite to watch! would love to see more!

[aellipsis]

I’m glad when you upload the “boring” fixes. They aren’t boring at all really and often can be the more common problems.

[TampaTec]

You have a good eye 👁️ I don't think I would've spot it👍

[jakesmith]

An hour went by very quick. I've enjoyed that. Thanks.

[thomasives]

Yellowing can occur due to high heat and humidity, as well. There are lots of competing theories (oxygenation, bromine, etc.) about *why* it happens, but simple aging is the case, and high temperature + moisture will accelerate aging. The corrosion was also likely caused by moisture, as well, and slowly dissolved the trace. Great channel, love the content. Cheers!

[RedScorpion]

Have many years experience with repair snes, nes and genesis consoles. Important for the next time, please make 2-3 power on/offs without ac adapter connected to unload the capacitors. Sometimes it could happen, that the rest of the capacity unload to ppu/ram and damages the parts. Nice video. Have fun! )

[johnproudlock]

Fixes like these personally make for better viewing. I enjoy watching retro consoles repaired and saved from land fill

[simascnop]

The silver SMD capacitors are known to leak and eat the traces away. I bought several high quality panasonic capacitors and replaced all capacitors on my own SNES before I got any damages.
I also replaced all capacitors on a friends SNES, there they already were leaking, I came just in time.

Also the reset button was not working on my SNES, some contact cleaner solved the problem.
The SNES outputs RGB, I bought a rad2x HDMI cable. It was my first console, I got it from my parents for chistmas and it still is in use today :) Respect how you found the problem of all consoles and brought them back to life! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

[chrisred]

I blew that fuse on my SNES because of static. I actually saw it happen. I was wearing football shorts while messing about with it which was a mistake. I actually saw a flash and a long thin spark hit the board. Still it was easy enough to sort.👍

[paulfinney]

The yellowing when its uniform like that will be because they used to put bromide in the plastic as a fire deterrent. When its uniform yellowing like that that’s just age.

The first one you fixed looked like someone had been in there before. There’s a lot of solder on the fuse pads

[philbrown]

Had to rewatch this because unbelievably I have 2 with the exact same symptoms. (Down to the alternate yellowing patterns!) The no power one is the fuse. One thing I read when looking into replacements is that you should use the 125V ones not 250V for better protection. They are also available from RS £0.79 each for 5. Great video as usual and thanks to everyone for the comments with good advice on the cause of the fuse blowing. 🥰

[hadesmcc]

Loved this one, it's great to see these getting back to working order.

[Byront]

I think this definitely needs a retro brightening video vince! Get them back to how they should be and a “how to” at the same time! 👍🏻

[jamesgillre]

Nice fixes as usual Vince, Exhaust heat was a special game for me, my dad bought it from Boots (the chemist) back when they sold games in the early 90s, the first SNES game and video game I ever got

[MrStereoify]

Hey Vince, rule of thumb is never to short out fuses. There's always a possibility to fry something downstream. Ask me how I know! Great video anyways as always. Cheers!

[andersmmvfc.]

4 years with ipa and your hands give up now :) pleas try the green working hands, hand cream, it works wonders!

Brilliant video! Thank you

[brokenastartes]

Hi vince I really enjoyed this video good honest faults with really interesting fault finding from yourself and decent fixes.