GBA battery light problem

[teh_L0ki]

I know it's bad form to start another thread when you already have one going, but that issue is basically resolved (mostly) and I'm quite curious about this. Currently the battery charge light on my game boy advance is erratic to say the least. I've had it turn red to indicate low battery within one hour of a charge. I thought my gameboy's battery was simply dying but I've since replaced it and I'm still having trouble with the indicator light.

Basically it just decides to turn red or green whenever it feels like it and I've had it die on me with the battery run out with the indicator light still displaying green. So not only do I have no idea how much battery life is left, I have the annoyance of the light changing every hour or so.

An official repair would cost me $55 so I'm none too keen on that when I can get a used one for less. The only thing about that is that I've taken very good care of my GBA, so the buttons are all still in excellent shape.

I don't want to wreck it but I was wondering if anybody had any ideas about either repairing the light, or if that can't be done, simply disabling the dang thing. As it is it's useless anyway and just an annoyance.

Thanks in advance :help:

[Ninjamohawk]

What model is it? (Original, SP1, SP2, Micro)

Either way though, if you can you should open it up and look to see if the LEDs are still properly connected to the mainboard. If not and you're up for some minor soldering that could solve it. Sounds like its signals are being crossed or something.

Worst-case scenario you just pull out the LEDs and say to heck with it. Either way you gotta get that thing open. Getting a triwing screwdriver is pretty easy. I got mine for $2 on Ebay.

[teh_L0ki]

What model is it? (Original, SP1, SP2, Micro)

Either way though, if you can you should open it up and look to see if the LEDs are still properly connected to the mainboard. If not and you're up for some minor soldering that could solve it. Sounds like its signals are being crossed or something.

Worst-case scenario you just pull out the LEDs and say to heck with it. Either way you gotta get that thing open. Getting a triwing screwdriver is pretty easy. I got mine for $2 on Ebay.

It's the original AGS-001. I'll be honest and say I've never done any soldering but I would be up for a challenge. I just don't feel comfortable without any guidance.

[Ninjamohawk]

So it's a GBA SP then? I was just inside a couple last night and lemme tell you, those LEDs are *really* small. Like 1mm by 2mm/1mm by 1.5mm approx. Also they are soldered directly to the board.

Sad to say but you'd be better off having it repaired or getting a new one. You could unsolder them but like I said they are microscopic so you risk damaging something unless you have some skill.

[ericj]

It may more likely be a problem with a zener diode, comparator, or transistor (depending on the circuit), rather than with the green/red bi-color LED itself.

Without seeing a schematic and troubleshooting it, this is just a guess. Your best bet would be to pay to have it repaired or at least diagnosed.

[teh_L0ki]

For me it's not game breaking, it's just a minor annoyance. The battery still gets its full charge, I just never know exactly when it's going to run out based on the indicator light, so I have to kind of mentally gauge how much I've played. The charge light fortunantly works so I know when it's fully charged.

I think I could probably just get another gameboy for the price it would cost to have it repaired. Nintendo I know charges $55 for repairs. I've considered picking up one of the newer AGS-101s though for the improved backlight. Otherwise I'll just keep using my gameboy annoying light or not.

[Ninjamohawk]

I love the SP2. I got rid of my original and SP1 and now have three SP2's. The screen looks really nice and the backlight is a dream.

Downside is that the US releases all came in dumb colors except maybe the charcoal gray. (I have a pearl blue a gray and a PAL Surf Blue)

On a related color note, I wish the original Polar white DS Lite wasn't so hard to come by. It was my favorite color because it reminds of an old MacBook.

[teh_L0ki]

I love the SP2. I got rid of my original and SP1 and now have three SP2's. The screen looks really nice and the backlight is a dream.

Downside is that the US releases all came in dumb colors except maybe the charcoal gray. (I have a pearl blue a gray and a PAL Surf Blue)

On a related color note, I wish the original Polar white DS Lite wasn't so hard to come by. It was my favorite color because it reminds of an old MacBook.

As much as I'm tempted there are tons of things I would love to buy and I don't really have the money to spend right now... at least not without the opportunity cost of obtaining an SP2. I was planning on maybe trying to mess around inside my sp and if I broke it just shrug it off and pick up a SP2.

However, based on what has been said in this thread it doesn't sound like such a good idea, especially considering I'm inexperienced. Besides, I was thinking, even with a schematic I wouldn't want to mess up my charge light because it still works just dandy. If I couldn't tell when the system was done charging that would be even more annoying.

[teh_L0ki]

If I change the motherboard on the AGS-001 will that fix the lights?

[SparTonberry]

I love the SP2. I got rid of my original and SP1 and now have three SP2's. The screen looks really nice and the backlight is a dream.
The reason I still have both an SP1 and SP2 is because the SP2 screen is TOO bright for original GB games. I tried a game and thought it was going to blind me after a minute. :P