Atari Flashback 6 Controller Board Repair

Written By: Kyle Albright

Comments: 0

Atari Flashback 6 Controller Board Repair

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

20 - 40 minutes

Introduction

This repair is for an Atari Flashback 6 controller. Over time, controller wiring can wear down and disconnect from the terminals. In this guide, we will demonstrate how to disassemble, re-solder the wires to the terminal, and then reassemble your Atari Flashback 6 controller. You can achieve all nine steps with little to no experience, as long as you have the right tools. Handle tools such as a soldering iron and exacto knife with care to prevent injury or controller damage.

Information on how to solder

Before you begin the repair, make sure to remove the batteries from the controller.

Tools

Step 1

If the controller currently contains batteries, please remove them before starting the repair.
Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove single 1.5 mm-long screw securing the battery cover.
Lift the battery cover off.
Depress the spring that is in contact with the negative side of the battery to remove the batteries. Push down, and then remove batteries one at a time.

Step 2

Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the four 2 mm screws from the bottom of the Atari controller.

Step 3

Open the bottom case gently.
Do not rip it open as it is connected by a ribbon cable to the top case.
Remove the single 2 mm-long Phillips #1 screw securing the motherboard to the top case.
Use a spudger to gently remove the motherboard from the top case.
Be careful to avoid bending the board or the LED light.

Step 4

Separate the button board from the back panel.
Like a car battery, the negative terminal attaches to the black wire and the positive with the red wire.
You may have to strip the wires to expose the internal copper wiring.
Use a wire stripper to expose the internal wiring to secure a proper connection in the next step.

Step 5

Using a soldering iron can be dangerous. Because of the high temperature, please be sure to exercise caution when using this tool.
Attach the red wire to the positive terminal using the soldering iron, melting the solder to create a connection.
Attach the black wire to the negative terminal using the soldering iron, melting the solder to create a connection.

Step 6

Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to replace the 2 mm screw that secures the motherboard to the top case.
Make sure to not pull on wires that are now attached.

Step 7

Reinsert the front panel into the groove of the outer shell.

Step 8

Replace the 2 mm Phillips #1 screws in the back panel to reassemble the controller.
After the back panel is secure, re-install the batteries, and replace the 1.5 mm Phillips #1 screw.