How to Replace Gameboy Color Cartridge Reader

[@kiledonley2753]

Hey, this was great. I don’t know anything about soldering. Can you explain what you were doing with both removing and then soldering back on the cartridge? Or tell me the correct soldering terminology to help me look it up? The way you removed the first one, if it wasn’t already broken, would it have ruined the reader? My up and left directional buttons aren’t working. I think I tracked down my power break to be on the back of the board under the cartridge slot. Wondering if it’s worth trying to remove the slot to fix it. But watching this I think it’s not a great first soldering project.

[@totalfix877]

Sure let me see if I can help. *Can you explain what you were doing with both removing and then soldering back on the cartridge?* First I was using a desoldering tool to remove the existing solder from the joints, this was to remove the cartridge reader from the motherboard. The desoldering tool I used is a HAKKO FR301, they're quite pricey. You can use a solder sucker, but it takes a bit of time. When I was putting on the new card reader, I first align it then apply flux and then solder the joints back on. Flux helps with the flow of the soldering metal during liquid form. When creating soldering joints, you just have to be sure not bridge any joints together as this may cause a short. There are plenty of videos on KZbin that can help the basics for Soldering and how to use flux properly to get nice clean joints. *The way you removed the first one, if it wasn’t already broken, would it have ruined the reader?* No, this wouldn't damage the reader unless I accidentally damage the integrity of the card reader itself or the pads of the motherboard that were soldered from the reader. Simply removing the cartridge by desoldering it wont damage it. *My up and left directional buttons aren’t working. I think I tracked down my power break to be on the back of the board under the cartridge slot. Wondering if it’s worth trying to remove the slot to fix it. But watching this I think it’s not a great first soldering project.* I would first clean out the contacts of the up and down directional pad. While you're there, I would also look at the bottom of the rubber membranes of the directional pad to see if they have build-up or just see if they're in good condition. Just give that a nice gentle clean and then try. If that is not working, then it can be a bit trickier to troubleshoot. At that point I start looking through the schematics to identify if things are connected and working properly. Schematics for GBC: console5.com/techwiki/images/e/e6/Nintendo_GBC_Schematic.png Hope this helps and thanks for dropping by!

[@kiledonley2753]

@@totalfix877 Thank you so much! This is very helpful. I have tried cleaning them and have also tried using different pads that I know work.

[@swide2750]

@@kiledonley2753 you can look up some modding videos and join their discords ie MachoNacho on youtube

[@eugeneandruszczenko]

Interested to know where you got the replacement slot? I can only find DMG and GBA ones. Need one for the color as well

[@totalfix877]

I normally get them off spare boards, I havent seen these sold separately, but to be fair, I don't always receive systems in that condition either 😅

[@onurseker3387]

Where did you buy the 32-pin game cassette card slot adapter reader? Do you have a link?

[@SuperMustang331]

What Solution did you put on before soldering? Thank you

[@totalfix877]

The solution I used is called flux

[@noahnetwal5865]

Where can I buy a replacement cartridge reader? I don't have any donor boards

[@totalfix877]

I've had a difficult time tracking these down, I know I came across them on Aliexpress, but I never purchased them myself so I don't want to push a product on you that I am unfamiliar with. In the past, I normally just get them from donor boards.

[@albertocarranco359]

Crees que uno de gameboy clasico le quede? Implicado el que quizas haya que mochar plástico? En ali solo veo de gb clasico y otros que son de otra forma

[@totalfix877]

No estoy seguro de si un cartucho de gameboy original sería compatible con un gameboy de color.

[@ZanderZr]

where did you get the spare cartridge?

[@totalfix877]

I had an extra broken GBC, I removed it from that one and put it into the one in the video. I can try and see if I can find a link to it sold on its own.

[@ArthurTipaldi]

I'm desperate to find replacement for the GBC, can only find classic GB one :/

[@BiggoSeal]

Hey what did you use to desolder the reader, I have a regular gba system with a broken pin in the cartridge and I need to replace the whole thing.

[@totalfix877]

I used a Hakko desoldering gun. You can get away with using simply a desoldering wick, flux and a soldering iron. However this will be a bit time consuming but it is possible

[@BiggoSeal]

@@totalfix877 oh alright I’ll try that

[@hubergalvez4162]

Donde compraste el repuesto? No veo el link del repuesto

[@totalfix877]

Era de un sistema extra que no funcionaba. No tengo un link para un repuesto 😧

[@dragonatun]

en ali expres

[@dd-bolt]

Whew, I think this is something I’ll be doing to fix one of my gameboys. Has a bent pin, and it doesn’t seem a practical place to fix, so I’ll be borrowing a 32-pin connector from another dead GBC and hoping for the best.

[@berm11]

Jaja como diablos pudieron quebrar eso así, que gente. Buena reparación te felicito!

[@totalfix877]

Muchisimas gracias! Tal vez no pudieron pasar los niveles 😂

[@ricardogutierrez3021]

Has anyone found a site where I can find a replacement reader? No luck for me

[@totalfix877]

I haven't unfortunately, normally I get the cartridges from spare GBC's 😢