Sega Genesis Crashes when pressing "UP" on P1 Controller.

What the title says. I bought a Sega Genesis on eBay and played two games: Sonic 1, and Sonic 2. In both games, upon pressing up on the digital pad, the screen will dim, make an breif hum noise, and the game will crash; with minor graphics corruption. Doesn't happen when pressing up on the P2 controller; works as it should. Games don't crash otherwise, plays like they should.

I've tried two genuine 3-button controllers. One that came with the consoles, and another I bought from a local games store. The problem persisted. I'll try to provide as much info as I can, because this is kind of weird. I have tried both RGB, and composite AV connections. It may be my crap power supply, though it seems oddly specific of an issue.

Model: 1601
FCC ID: FJ64EUSASEGA
Made in Taiwan

Here is the console. Cosmetically, it's in pretty good shape.


Here's a shot of the controller ports:


Any ideas on what could be going on? Suggestions elsewhere have suggested a new controller; that didn't work, and I am ordering an original power supply for it tonight, so hopefully that's it.

 

Those cheap-o power supplies can cause problems later on, so its good anyways if you get one and it doesn't fix the problem. Not much else you can do other then that. Also, after it freezes up, you have tried pressing "Start," right?

 

Yes I have attempted pressing start, and nothing happens. Reset does work, however.

 

A few things to try ..
With your finger - feel the inside port; any pins loose.
Open the console check traces around that port.
Try reflowing the solder connections on that port and add a little solder.

If you have never opened up a model 1, refer to ifixit.com for an illustrated breakdown. Sorry ... On my phone or I'd provide a link.

 

I'll give that a go if the power supply doesn't work. That arrives Friday, so I'll post the results here.

Thank you all for the replies and suggestions.

 

1602 power supply arrived. While pressing up no longer crashes the console, it simply doesn't work.

I can press up all I want on P1, no response. Game responses to every other button.

EDIT: Actually, it registers up as "left". Holding or pressing it will cause actions that correspond to the left button. As earlier, all other buttons work fine.

 

Maybe you need to replace the voltage regulator. Check to see if it gets super hot when in use. Probably not it, but worth looking at regardless...

 

This is the oddest thing I have ever seen. Is it plugged right into the wall, or into a power strip or conditioner?

 

It was plugged into a 12-socket surge protector, but I tried it on a wall socket all by itself, and it still exhibits the same behavior. I'm not too knowledgeable of soldering and traces and what have you; but if it was a trace, wouldn't it simply not work instead of sending the wrong signal? Both controllers are in fine shape and work as intended on the P2 slot. Both are original SEGA three-button controllers.

Will do. I'll leave it plugged in and run a demo for awhile. What's the definition of hot here?

 

If its faulty, it'll get hot real quick. Like, 2 minutes. and when I say hot, I mean, just about touch it and its HOT. Like, hold a lighter and burn it for about 15 seconds, blow out the light, and touch the metal guard on the lighter...ouch

 

Yup, if it were a bad trace, it wouldn't work flat out. The VRM might also be overheating. If you take the top off, see if you can hold your finger on it for 5 seconds comfortably. If you can't, its probably too hot and has gone bad. It could also just be an error with the CPU?

 

What is the VRM?

 

Right... I suppose I'll check that and see if it burns.

Another interesting observation, is that when holding the up button, I cannot use the start button. Holding any other button works fine, but for some reason, START doesn't pause or unpause a game when UP is [long-]pressed.

 

What I was thinking... The start button may somehow be wired to the up on the pad.

 

I suppose if I had a debug cart, I could verify that? Do Sonic 1 or 2 have some kind of controller debug screen? Those are the only games I have. I wasn't going to get any more until I got this console sorted out.

EDIT: It doesn't seem to be. I pressed and held START while entering the title menu, and it did not ascend the selection.

 

No controller test on those games, sadly.

 

Oh. Hrm... It has to be something hardware then.

 

To be honest, It's got to be something to do with the controller port or maybe something a little further down the line. That is of course if the Voltage Regulator isn't overheating.

EDIT: I think it would be beneficial to figuring this out if you take the top of the console and take some pictures around all the controller points of interest, the capacitors and well, pretty much anything and everything. upload the pictures to imgur in one hit, and link the gallery for convenience.

That way, we can inspect the console as best as possible and it might give us the answers we need

 

Have you tried a 6 button controller? I had a 3 button controller where certain directions on the d-pad weren't working until I unplugged and replugged the controller a couple times. My 6 button works flawlessly so I'm think it was the controller and not my Genesis. Could be something wrong in the controller like dirty contacts on the plug.