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Atari 5200 Joystick Repair

Introduction

The controller's joystick is connected to a sensor via sliding plates, which then move two knobs(one per axis), which are placed inside two pots whose movement the sensors detects. The knobs can occasionally get dislodged out of the pots, causing a "stuck" and undetected joystick.

What you need

  1. Atari 5200 Joystick Repair, Opening the Controller: step 1, image 1 of 3 Atari 5200 Joystick Repair, Opening the Controller: step 1, image 2 of 3 Atari 5200 Joystick Repair, Opening the Controller: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Turn the controller over, exposing the three screws on the back. Use a 6mm screwdriver to remove these screws.

    • Carefully slide and pull the two parts of the controller shell apart, exposing the innards.

    Edit

  2. Atari 5200 Joystick Repair, Locating the Knobs and Pots: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Find the knobs (closest to the joystick and circled in red).

    • Locate the pots (closest to the circuitry and circled in orange). Keep track of these.

    • Align the joystick's metal bar into its cup.

    • Don't move any of the button circuitry, especially those of the START/PAUSE/RESET buttons.

    Edit

  4. Atari 5200 Joystick Repair, Reassembly Part 1: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger to remove the top frame.

    • Take off the plate.

    • Remove the rubber buttons.

    Edit

  5. Atari 5200 Joystick Repair, Reassembly Part 2: step 4, image 1 of 2 Atari 5200 Joystick Repair, Reassembly Part 2: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Realign the top and bottom of the controller.

    • Pull the circuit strip through the new space.

    Edit

  6. Atari 5200 Joystick Repair, Reassembly Part 3: step 5, image 1 of 3 Atari 5200 Joystick Repair, Reassembly Part 3: step 5, image 2 of 3 Atari 5200 Joystick Repair, Reassembly Part 3: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Return the start buttons to the top of the controller

    • Snap the frame back into place

    • Screw in the three screws on the back.

    Edit
Finish Line

4 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 6 other contributors

Alan Abelson

Member since: 09/26/14

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5 Guides authored

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Team

USF Tampa, Team 13-1, Staggers Fall 2014 Member of USF Tampa, Team 13-1, Staggers Fall 2014

USFT-STAGGERS-F14S13G1

5 Members

17 Guides authored

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