Damaged NES Game.... Can this be cleaned?

Contra__ManContra__Man
in Help Wanted!
Hello friends!



So I recently tried starting up Castlevania 3 for the NES and I just get a dark green screen, nothing else. I gave it a light cleaning, same thing. So I opened it up for a deep clean and as I was cleaning the gold connector strip I noticed that it appears there is some kind of a dark liquid-like substance on a different part of the board (please see pics). I am guessing this is the culprit. The substance is on both the black chip and the green board in one area. 



Has anyone experienced something like this before and does anyone have suggestions for how I should attempt to clean this off (and what to use to clean it)? 

My plan is to attempt to remove the substance and if the game works after that, great. If not, or if I damage it in the process, it's going in the trash.



Any advice is much appreciated!



Best,



Contra__Man



Comments

  • Loxx O)))Loxx O)))
    I would just try rubbing alcohol to see if that comes off.
  • D~FunkD~Funk
    Looks like someone didn't clean off the flux after trying to touch up that bottom chip. Also looks like maybe there is some bridging between pins or that could just be some flux gunk. Unless its No Clean, flux is corrosive so as long as it hasn't eaten through the traces yet you could try and clean off the flux. If you have access to an air compressor you could wash it under water with a brush and blow it dry really well. Or could maybe just try using q-tips and alcohol.
  • Contra__ManContra__Man
    Thanks guys.



    What is "flux"?
  • Uncle MeatUncle Meat
    Originally posted by: Contra__Man



    Thanks guys.



    What is "flux"?

    It is a paste that you put on before you lay your solder down to make a better connection/make it last longer.



     
  • Loxx O)))Loxx O)))
    Something used when soldering. You put flux on whatever you're soldering and it helps to make better and faster connections, basically. Generally, you want to clean it up after the fact because it can cause issues such as bridging or corrosion.
  • Contra__ManContra__Man
    Thanks guys.



    So the flux would have been put on by Nintendo (the manufacturer)?



    If not, why would someone be doing soldering after the fact?
  • Loxx O)))Loxx O)))
    Could have been someone trying to fix it previously for some reason?
  • Contra__ManContra__Man
    Thanks guys.



    So I used rubbing alcohol and q-tips and seemed to get almost all of the residue off. However, I still get the same green screen when I power on my Nintendo with this game.



    Any thoughts on if this game board/chip has any value at all? Or should I just throw it in the trash? The outer case and label are in nice condition, so I will keep them to use in the future with a working board.



    Thanks!
  • TulpaTulpa
    How are you cleaning the pins?
  • Contra__ManContra__Man
    Originally posted by: Tulpa



    How are you cleaning the pins?

    Well for the gold pin connectors (teeth), I've used rubbing alcohol on q-tips and with a cloth. I also used a tooth brush and some cleaning solution I bought for games a long time ago (not sure what it is, but think I bought it from a reference on N.A.)



    I've gotten many dirty games to work in the past cleaning the gold pins. However, I've never attempted to clean the inner parts of the board/chip like this game before. My hunch is that the problem with this game is not dirty pins (they look pretty clean and I'm not getting any black residue off). My assumption is that whatever residue on the board itself (seen in pics I attached) has damaged this game. 



    Also, perhaps this is worth noting.... it seems every other "dirty" game I try to play gives me a pink screen. Whereas this Castlevania 3 game is giving me a dark green screen. 



     
  • Nes FreakNes Freak
    tooth brush and contact cleaner
  • SNESNESCUBE64SNESNESCUBE64
    Another reason that flux would need to be removed is that over time, it can actually become conductive as it can pick up particles in the air, being that it is kinda stick, it can hold onto it. So get some high-concentration rubbing alcohol and clean that stuff off. Can't be certain, but is it me or do some of those pins right above the MMC5 silkscreen text look like they are jumped together?
  • Loxx O)))Loxx O)))
    Are you using an actual NES or clone?
  • MrPete1985MrPete1985
    If you want to send it my way I'll take a shot at fixing it



    You can check out my YouTube channel for my past repairs

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1_DqOvObL0K0xUmvQR7lQ?view_as=subscriber
  • BouncekDeLemosBouncekDeLemos
    Why wouldn't anyone remove the flux/no-clean? I mean, it's a good sign that someone's been into that cart dicky-dooin' around, which is probably the culprit. Something's going on around where the flux was.



    I usually just clean it with 91% IPA and/or electronic cleaner, but it might be something a little more than just dirty.
  • CZroeCZroe
    It might not even be flux. Soda or something could have been spilled into the game and cleaned off the contacts leaving only internal evidence. Alcohol or water from subsequent cleaning could have diluted what was closer to the edge connector and made it appear to have originated from the ROM/MMC area.
  • Contra__ManContra__Man
    Originally posted by: Loxx O)))



    Are you using an actual NES or clone?

    Actual original NES console. I seem to recall that C3 is one of the few games that is incompatible with after-market clones. 



     
  • TulpaTulpa
    Some aftermarket clones can play it.



    An OG NES shouldn't have an issue, though. It probably is a cleaning issue or something wrong with that individual cartridge.
  • Loxx O)))Loxx O)))
    Originally posted by: Contra__Man

    Originally posted by: Loxx O)))



    Are you using an actual NES or clone?

    Actual original NES console. I seem to recall that C3 is one of the few games that is incompatible with after-market clones. 



     



    Yeah, just wanted to rule that out being the issue. Looks like you might have a bum cart, shame.
  • Contra__ManContra__Man
    Originally posted by: Loxx O)))

     
    Originally posted by: Contra__Man

     
    Originally posted by: Loxx O)))



    Are you using an actual NES or clone?

    Actual original NES console. I seem to recall that C3 is one of the few games that is incompatible with after-market clones. 



     







    Yeah, just wanted to rule that out being the issue. Looks like you might have a bum cart, shame.

    Ya, def good thought for sure. I appreciate the help.



     
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