SMS controller port difficulties

[Ness7281992]

I recently re-entered the Master System market after I got a Hang-On/Safari Hunt unit off eBay, and it's been working fine until 15 minutes into Phantasy Star. Basically, unless I put a lot of stress on controller port 1 by pushing it upwards, button 2 does not work. I've opened the unit, and as far as I can tell, the solder looks fine, and the pins aren't bent or anything. I think the culprit lies within the plastic casing for the ports, but I didn't see any easy way to get into it. I've checked various forums, and people have said that this is becoming a problem with virtually every aging console and computer using a DB-9 port. My question is, could it be something else, too? One thing I've noticed is the board has crazy rust along the outer ground edges, and there are spots with what appear to be rust in the middle of the board, but have been covered with some type of clear glaze (I don't think it's rosin), and it's the Chinese board, so I have a hard time understanding just what is going on at several spots. Also, I've never had to deal with this problem before on anything I've ever had, so if I just need to replace the ports in the console, do I need to get them from an as-is console, or are they in stock your friendly neighborhood RadioShack? They're not quite the same as ones I've actually worked with, what with the pins being on the bottom side of the port.

[celerystalker]

Have you tried another controller or a Genesis controller to compare? Often times old controllers get dirty, and the contacts on the rubber that complete the circuit lose responsiveness if not cleaned up.

[Niku-Sama]

I wouldn't think that it would be inside the plastic casing. All they pins do are make a 90 degree angle into the board.

I'd re flow it still

[Ness7281992]

I've tested with all controllers I have, so it's the actual console. I do plan on reflowing before replacing, but even so, it's nice to know if I can swap it out with something from RadioShack 20 years down the road.

[Gameguy]

The SMS consoles have plenty of issues with poor solder joints, including the cartridge connector and other issues. If it works when you apply pressure to it then it's a connection issue, meaning most likely a solder issue. It should work fine after reflowing it.

[Ness7281992]

Reflowing fixed the controller issue, but now i have a new problem. It may be related, it may not be, but my audio now fades away to silence when i play Phantasy Star. I'll start a new thread for that, though.