4 red lights, heats up then turns to 2 red lights

dylan, the 4 flashing lights usually manes that the AV cable cannot be detected. So you do want to check your cable, and connections etc. Disconnect the cable and then reconnect it. the 2 flashing lights indicate overheating of the console. Make sure that you have good airflow as well as clean air vents etc. It could be simple things like the ones I mentioned, however, it could also be an indication that you are having CPU,GPU errors and either a RROD fixkit from here or a reflow is on order. Check this site and see what secondary error you get on your console. that will help you to determine what to do next. Hope this helps, good luck.