Intellivision Troubleshooting Guide
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Fault-finding for the original Intellivision Master Component, model 2609. The procedures and limits are Mattel's, from the model 2609 Service Manual and Subassembly Service Manual (see Intellivision Service Manuals); faults reported by repairers since are added where they belong. Mattel's own approach is to run the MTE-201 test cartridge first, check the power supply at its test points, then substitute the socketed chips in a fixed order.[1][2] Cleaning and controller rebuilding are on Intellivision General Maintenance, and capacitor values on the Intellivision Capacitor Replacement Guide.
The power cord, switch and transformer are inside the case. Unplug the console before opening it, and treat the transformer connections as live whenever it is plugged in.[3]
Preliminary checks
[edit | edit source]| Symptom | Probable cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Screen goes blank during play | The console blanks the screen after about five minutes with no controller input, or when 1 and 9 are pressed together (the intermission code) | Press any key on either controller[4] |
| Snowy screen, no game | Television on the wrong channel, switch box set to TV, coax unplugged, console off | Match the television to the console's channel 3/4 switch on the underside; set the switch box to GAME; check every connection[5][4] |
| White-grey screen, or one colour | Cartridge not fully inserted | Reinsert the cartridge[5] |
| Buzzing or distorted sound | Fine tuning, or a strong broadcast signal | Adjust fine tuning; disconnect the aerial from the switch box[5] |
| Faint, blurred or colourless picture | Television controls or connections | Adjust fine tuning, brightness, contrast and colour; check the switch box and output connector[5] |
| One game misbehaves, others work | Dirty or faulty cartridge | Try a known-good cartridge; clean the cartridge contacts[2][6] |
Diagnostic cartridge MTE-201
[edit | edit source]Mattel's service centres used the MTE-201 test cartridge. Set any automatic colour controls on the television to manual, insert the cartridge, switch on and press reset. The routine runs as follows:[7]
- The hand controller test pattern appears. Each key, side button and disc direction turns its symbol on screen from yellow to white; the right controller drives the left-hand image and vice versa. The disc arrow should point in 16 directions. Press 1 and 9 together to move on.
- Sound test: a low rumble; a high note stepping down five octaves, three times; hissing noise that fades slightly; a single fading tone; two gunshots, the second at half volume. Press CLEAR if all are correct, ENTER if not.
- Colour pattern tests, each passed with CLEAR or failed with ENTER, ending with patterns that alternate "F/B" and "VIS".
- If nothing has failed, the Baseball title page appears; play half an inning to finish. A failure instead shows "Failure at Test" and a letter from A to Z.
Failure codes
[edit | edit source]| Code | Chip named | Test | Other possible chips |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | U5 (GROM) | Graphics ROM checksum | U2, U4, U9 |
| B | U9 (system ROM) | System ROM checksum | U1 |
| C | U3 (program ROM) | Program ROM checksum | U1 |
| D | U4 (STIC) | STIC memory test | U2, U5 |
| E | U8 | Lower graphics RAM memory test | U4, U5, U2 |
| F | U7 | Upper graphics RAM memory test | U4, U2, U5 |
| G | U2 | System RAM memory test | U4, U5, U1 |
| H | U12 | Scratchpad RAM memory test | U9, U1, U3 |
| J | U6 (PSG) | Sound chip memory test | U9, U1, U3 |
| K | U4 | STIC interaction test | – |
| N | U4 | All 64 points on all 8 moving objects react to interaction | U2 |
| O | U4 | Coloured squares mode interactions in all colours | U1 |
| P | U4 | Corner interactions at all offset positions | – |
| Q, R | U4 | X zoom, Y zoom | – |
| S, T | U4 | Y mirror, X mirror | – |
| U | U4 | Full and half height objects | – |
| V | U4 | 8 and 16 line objects | U2 |
| W | U4 | Colour priority (operator judged) | – |
| X | U6 | Audible test failed by operator | – |
| Y | U4 | Foreground/background priority (operator judged) | – |
| Z | U4 | Mode one/mode two visual (operator judged) | – |
From the service manual's failure code table. Where several codes appear, use the substitution sequence below.[8]
Individual tests and cartridge check
[edit | edit source]At the hand controller test display, pressing 1 and 7 together opens a menu of individual tests, chosen with the left controller and run with ENTER. The menu covers the automatic STIC tests, the system RAM, the sound chip, checksums of the system, program and graphics ROMs, the lower and upper graphics RAM, the scratchpad RAM, the audible sound test and a visual verification test; 0 returns to the controller display. Pressing 2 and 8 together displays the cartridge's own checksums, which should read "CART CHECKSUM LO = 00002371677" and "CART CHECKSUM HI = 00003372642"; any other figures mean the test cartridge itself is faulty.[9][7]
Without a test cartridge
[edit | edit source]Jennings tests a console with two ordinary cartridges. With Skiing, enter each digit on both controllers as a course number (each should appear and clear should remove it), then ski a run, rotating the skier through several full turns with the disc and jumping with the side buttons. With Baseball, play a couple of innings, testing the upper (bunt) and lower (swing) side buttons on each side separately.[10]
Mattel's shop procedure adds a burn-in: run the MTE-201 to the Baseball title page, leave the console running untouched for 90 minutes, then reset and repeat the tests.[2]
Power supply
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The power supply board makes five supplies from two transformer secondaries.[11] Mattel's check, from the subassembly manual:[2]
- Open the console and carefully unplug the 5-pin ribbon connector and the 2-pin plug from the power supply board.
- Plug in and switch on. With the negative probe on TP1 (ground), measure the test points in the table below.
- Measure the +5.65 V pin with the boards disconnected: it should read at least 12 V. Switch off, reconnect the ribbon cable and 2-pin plug, switch on and measure it again: it should now read 5.45–5.85 V. If it does not, switch off and measure R2 (12 Ω, 3 W). If R2 is good, the logic board is suspect; if it is not, repair the power supply board.
- If all voltages are present, the fault is on the logic board.
- If they are not, unplug the 5-pin transformer connector from the board and measure its AC voltages (second table). Touch the probes to the slide contacts visible on top of the plug; do not push them into the holes.
- If the AC voltages are correct, repair or replace the power supply board. If not, replace the transformer assembly.
- After any repair, repeat the DC checks.
Do not measure at the J3 ribbon connector: Mattel warns that probes damage its pins.[2]
| Test point | Supply | Subassembly manual | Service manual | Comes from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP2 | +5 V | 4.85–5.15 V | 5 V ± 0.15 V | μA7805, U1 |
| TP3 | +12 V | 11.64–12.36 V | 12 V ± 0.36 V | LM340T12, U2 |
| TP4 | +16 V unregulated | At least 16 V | 18 V ± 1.25 V unloaded | Bridge CR5–CR8, C3 |
| TP5 | −2.1 V | 1.95–2.25 V with the probes reversed | −2.1 V ± 0.15 V; −3.3 V below serial 113899 | R1 and zener CR9 (or CR10–CR12) |
| TP6 | +5.65 V unregulated | At least 12 V unloaded; 5.45–5.85 V loaded | – | C1 through R2 |
Sources: subassembly manual procedure 1.5 and Figure 5; service manual section 2-4.[2][1] The service manual explains the early −3.3 V reading: CR9 on units below serial number 113899 is a 3.3 V zener.[1]
| Plug pins | Mattel limits |
|---|---|
| 1 and 3 | 7.6–9.4 V AC |
| 2 and 3 | 7.6–9.4 V AC |
| 4 and 5 | 15.3–18.7 V AC |
Both manuals give these limits.[2][1] Jennings gives the readings by lead colour instead: yellow to blue 18 V AC, green/yellow to either green 9.25 V AC, and green to green 18.5 V AC. He says a transformer assembly that fails them "cannot be repaired" and must be replaced.[10] Mattel's subassembly manual also replaces the whole transformer assembly for a bad ON/OFF switch, but the full service manual's repair section replaces either the switch or the transformer on its own.[2][12]
When the AC is correct but the DC is not, Jennings found most power supply board faults in the two regulators (7805 and 7812) or the two large capacitors.[10] Mattel's repair section also asks for checks of the board for broken traces and swollen or charred parts, the regulator heatsinks, and the adhesive that holds C1 and C2.[12] Steven Orth found a trace on the power board cracked around a through-hole, which caused faults that got worse as the console warmed up.[13]
If the supplies are correct at the test points and a known-good logic board still does not work, Mattel's next suspect is the J3 power connector on the power supply board.[2]
Symptom chart
[edit | edit source]| Symptom | Probable cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Snow on the television, with or without the test pattern | Channel mismatch, switch box, coax | See the preliminary checks[14] |
| RF modulator | Connect a known-good modulator in parallel, move the RF cable to it and touch the two cases together; if the picture clears, replace the modulator. Check that the modulator supply is about +6 V DC[14] | |
| +12 V supply, transformer or power switch | Check the +12 V supply and its distribution on both boards; check the transformer and switch assembly for opens and shorts[14] | |
| Loose RCA output jack | Jennings found the jack turning in the modulator can and twisting the internal resistor loose; resolder it and fix the jack with a bead of solder[10] | |
| Grey-white screen, no flash when reset is pressed | STIC supply wire disconnected | Reconnect the STIC VCC jumper wire from the power supply board[14] |
| Clock circuit | In order: substitute the STIC (U4), then the colour chip (U10); check the STIC supplies, about +5.5 V on VCC (pin 20) and −2.1 V on VBB (pin 40); check U10 pins 13, 16 and 17 for +5 V; check ground at U4 pins 1 and 17 and U10 pin 1; check the clock circuit for opens and shorts; check C1 and C2; replace crystal X1. The chart in this manual prints the two STIC pins the other way round; the logic board schematic, and Mattel's Intellivision II manual, put VCC on pin 20 and VBB on pin 40[14][15] | |
| Grey-white screen that flashes when reset is pressed | Cartridge not fully inserted, or a damaged cartridge connector | Reinsert the cartridge; inspect the connector for bent pins and debris. Orth found contacts crushed and shorted together after a cartridge was forced in, and replaced the connector[14][16] |
| No CPU clock at U1 pins 37 and 38 | Check for a 3.3 V drop across zener CR2 and +16 V at the junction of R2 and R16; check for clock input at U11 pins 1 and 3 and replace the STIC if there is none; check CR3, CR4, zener CR5 and transistors Q1 and Q2; if U11 has input on pins 1 and 3 but no output on pins 2 and 4 and the discrete parts are good, replace U11[14] | |
| +5 V supply | Check the +5 V supply and its distribution[14] | |
| A plug-in IC | Work through the substitution sequence below[14] | |
| A soldered-in IC, or bus control signals | To test U13 and U16, remove U2, U3, U5, U6, U9 and the cartridge: a logic 1 at U13 pin 6 points to U13 or U16. Check the supply voltages at U1 and U2 if the bus control signals at U1 pins 3, 4 and 5 are missing[14] | |
| Wrong, extra or missing characters and graphics | A logic board IC | Run the MTE-201 and replace the chip it names. Mattel says most graphics faults come from U2, U4, U5, U7 and U8[14] |
| Failing STIC | The SaskaPriest restoration traced duplicated and corrupted moving objects and false or missed collisions to an overheating STIC; extra heatsinks only delayed the fault, and a STIC taken from an Intellivision II cured it[17] | |
| Distorted picture | Broadcast interference | Change channel; disconnect the aerial from the switch box[14] |
| STIC or colour chip | Substitute U4 and U10[14] | |
| RF modulator, or shield not closed | Interference during particular sound effects (Orth uses Buzz Bombers and Astrosmash): try the other channel, then replace the modulator. Resolder the logic board shields securely[14][18] | |
| No sound, picture good | Sound chip U6 | Substitute U6[14] |
| RF modulator or audio parts | Check for signal on the modulator's audio input lead, then try a known-good modulator in parallel; check the discrete audio parts[14] | |
| Controllers do not respond, or some keys fail | Controller membrane | Substitute a known-good controller; rebuild the faulty one (see maintenance)[14][10] |
| Sound chip U6 | Substitute U6[14] | |
| 9-pin connector or traces on the logic board | Check them. Orth found the common contact in a controller connector no longer gripping its pin[14][13] | |
| Other ICs | Substitute U4, U2, U1, U9 and U3. If several keypad symbols on the test pattern are white and nothing else cures it, replace U12, then U11[14] | |
| Picture goes blank during the test | Cartridge or cartridge connector | Try another cartridge; check the connector[14] |
| Reset switch | Check the reset switch[14] | |
| Power ribbon cable | Check the cable for breaks. Orth and the SaskaPriest restoration both replaced it with ordinary wire[14][13][17] | |
| Crystal X1 | Tap the crystal gently and watch the picture[14] | |
| Game freezes | Plug-in IC | Substitute in this order: U1 (CPU), U4 (STIC), U2 (system RAM), U9 (system ROM), U3 (program ROM). The SaskaPriest restoration cured freezes at fixed points in several games by replacing the CPU[14][17] |
| Cartridge or connector | Try another cartridge; inspect the connector[14] | |
| Channel switch does not change channel | Switch or modulator | Repair or replace the switch; check the modulator[14] |
| Wrong colours or no colour | Crystal frequency | Measure STIC pin 15: it should be 3,579,545 Hz ± 100 Hz. Adjust the variable capacitor C2[14] |
| STIC or colour chip | Substitute U4, then U10[14] |
Most entries in Mattel's chart also list solder bridges or foreign material on the board; inspect for them whenever the board is out.[14]
IC substitution sequence
[edit | edit source]| Order | Location | Device | Function | Mattel P/N |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | U2 | RA-3-9600 | System RAM | 0098-0530 |
| 2 | U4 | AY-3-8900-1 | STIC | 0098-0640 |
| 3 | U1 | CP-1610 | CPU | 0098-0520 |
| 4 | U9 | RO-3-9502-011 | System ROM | 0098-0670 |
| 5 | U3 | RO-3-9504-021 | Program ROM | 0098-0620 |
| 6 | U5 | RO-3-9503-003 | Graphics ROM | 0098-0570 |
| 7 | U6 | AY-3-8914 | Sound (PSG) | 0098-0660 |
| 8 | U10 | AY-3-8915 | Colour | 0098-0680 |
Use a known-good chip, follow MOS handling precautions, check orientation and pin insertion, and change only one IC at a time, leaving the known-good part in until the faulty one is found.[19] The SaskaPriest restoration took a working STIC and CPU from other consoles, including an Intellivision II.[17]
The chips under heatsinks (U1, U2 and U4) have their heatsinks bonded on with epoxy. Mattel removes a heatsink by prying it off, using a heat gun if needed, and refits it with thermally conductive epoxy.[12]
Final notes
[edit | edit source]- Mattel's subassembly manual repairs by exchanging whole boards; the full service manual goes to component level. Both are hosted at Intellivision Service Manuals.
- Mattel's rule is to run the whole diagnostic routine again after any troubleshooting or disassembly, before the unit is reassembled.[2]
- Several common faults are mechanical: the controller membranes, the ribbon cable between the boards and the cartridge connector.[10][13][16]
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Intellivision
- Intellivision General Maintenance
- Intellivision Capacitor Replacement Guide
- Intellivision Service Manuals
- Capacitor Failure Symptoms
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mattel Electronics, Service Manual, model 2609, section 2-4, power supply test, pp. 2-7 and 2-8 (PDF pp. 17–18): TP2 to TP5 limits, serial number 113899 and the 3.3 V zener, transformer pin voltages. File:Mattel Intellivision Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 Mattel Electronics, Subassembly Service Manual, model 2609, section III, "Troubleshooting", pp. 6–9: procedure 1.5 (a) to (l) and Figure 5, items 2 to 7 including the bad ON/OFF switch, the J3 connector, the customer cartridge test and the 90-minute shop burn-in. File:Mattel Intellivision Subassembly Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ Mattel Electronics, Subassembly Service Manual, model 2609, section IV, p. 10: unplug before disassembly. File:Mattel Intellivision Subassembly Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mattel Electronics, Service Manual, Intellivision model 2609, operating instructions (PDF pp. 4–5): channel select switch on the bottom of the console; intermission code; automatic blanking after about five minutes. File:Mattel Intellivision Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Mattel Electronics, Subassembly Service Manual, model 2609, section II, "Preliminary Checklist", p. 5. File:Mattel Intellivision Subassembly Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ Larry Anderson, Intellivision FAQ, section 7.2, "Cartridge Problems", 1995–1996, hosted at INTV Funhouse (retrieved 2026-10-19).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mattel Electronics, Subassembly Service Manual, Intellivision model 2609, section I, "Diagnostic Routine", pp. 2–4, and section III, item 8, p. 9 (test cartridge check). File:Mattel Intellivision Subassembly Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ Mattel Electronics, Service Manual, model 2609, "MTE-201 Failure Codes and Causes", p. 2-5 (PDF p. 15). File:Mattel Intellivision Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ Mattel Electronics, Service Manual, model 2609, p. 2-6 (PDF p. 16): individual test menu (keys 1 and 7), test cartridge check (keys 2 and 8) and checksums. File:Mattel Intellivision Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Gordon Jennings, Repairing Your Home Video Game, Datamost, 1984, ISBN 0-88190-277-2: hand controllers, pp. 60–61; Intellivision test procedure, pp. 93–94; symptom chart with transformer and power supply readings, pp. 94–96; RF modulator jack, pp. 96–97. Scan at the Internet Archive, item book_repairing_your_home_video_game.
- ↑ Mattel Electronics, Subassembly Service Manual, model 2609, power supply board schematic, p. 17. File:Mattel Intellivision Subassembly Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Mattel Electronics, Service Manual, model 2609, section 4, pp. 4-5 to 4-7 (PDF pp. 30–32): power supply board inspection, transformer and switch assembly repair, IC heatsink replacement. File:Mattel Intellivision Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Steven A. Orth, "Repairing the Intellivision's Power Supply Ribbon Cable", INTV Funhouse, updated 3 November 2018 (retrieved 2026-10-19): blank picture or no video from a broken ribbon cable; cracked power board trace that worsened as the unit warmed; bent common contact in a controller connector.
- ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 14.14 14.15 14.16 14.17 14.18 14.19 14.20 14.21 14.22 14.23 14.24 14.25 14.26 14.27 14.28 14.29 Mattel Electronics, Service Manual, model 2609, section 2.5, troubleshooting guide, pp. 2-10 to 2-13 (PDF pp. 20–23): symptom, suspect and remedy chart. File:Mattel Intellivision Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ Mattel Electronics, Service Manual, model 2609, logic board schematic, Figure 7-2 (PDF p. 45): STIC U4 pin 20 VCC, pin 40 VBB (−2.1 V, decoupled by C11), pins 1 and 17 VSS. File:Mattel Intellivision Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Steven A. Orth, "Replacing an Intellivision Cartridge Port", INTV Funhouse, updated 20 November 2017 (retrieved 2026-10-19).
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 "Repairing the Intellivision: Vintage Gaming Console", SaskaPriest, 29 March 2022, saskapriest.com (retrieved 2026-10-19): graphics glitches traced to a failing, overheating STIC; freezes cured by replacing the CP1610.
- ↑ Steven A. Orth, "Replacing an Intellivision RF Modulator", INTV Funhouse, updated 20 November 2017 (retrieved 2026-10-19).
- ↑ Mattel Electronics, Service Manual, model 2609, "Substitution Sequence of Plug-in ICs on PCB-Logic", p. 2-9 (PDF p. 19). File:Mattel Intellivision Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.