Colecovision outputs staticy picture/sound

[aboblyndsae]

I recently acquired a used Colecovision, and while I've gotten games to run on it, there's a large amount of static in the picture and sound. It came with a NES RF switch, and the only other cable I have to test it with is another NES RF switch that I know works with my NES—no difference between the two.

Do you think this is a problem with the system or the cable, and how might it be fixed?

[MachineGex]

I like to use a RCA cable. If you have one from an old stereo, use one of those and get the direct RCA-to-Coaxial plug from radio shack. Some old systems dont have enough juice to make the NES switch function properly.

If that doesnt work, then the plug coming out of the system is loose or broke.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I had the same problem with my Intellivision and was able to fix it. I performed the fix that is decribed in the link. Of course, it's written for the Intellivision, but it might get you on the right track.

http://www.intvfunhouse.com/tech/rfmod/

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I also agree with MachineGex. Take the box out of the equation.

[aboblyndsae]

I had an RCA cable but thought I'd need to wait until tomorrow to head to Radio Shack for a RCA-to-coaxial plug. Then I remembered my Odyssey II had one.

Good news! It works perfectly now. Well, except for half of my games not working no matter how much I clean them. Think the system's cartridge connector is probably dirty but I have no means of getting in there yet.

I'm just relieved that this was such an easy fix. My luck with buying used classic consoles has not been very good.

[aboblyndsae]

Haha, and no sooner do I write that and the system stops working. Won't show anything but garbled blocks, even without a cartridge in.