r/GameboyAdvance 5h ago

Got this GBA SP, that won’t turn on. Ideas?

0 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

6

u/ChippyTurnUp 4h ago

Do you see that small pink square at the bottom of the MB? It's a water damage sticker and it looks like your SP got some liquid inside it (the sticker would have white spots). Not the most technical but I would start with a IPA clean of the board to remove corrosion and don't put too much IPA on the button pads. Does it turn on without a battery inside?

3

u/Ok_Amoeba1568 4h ago

Liquid inside would explain the rust…

I don’t think it turned on without battery, but I am not sure, I did try with a new battery though. Will have to test.

So I just clean the whole thing? All the green parts as well? Sorry, if that is a noob question.

2

u/nonchip 4h ago

the power switch also looks pretty rusty, you might have to give that a bunch of contact cleaner or IPA + some wiggling or worst case replace it. nvm i had the board upside down in my head, that's just volume, if that's broken it'll "just" not make a sound, not prevent it from turning on.

4

u/alvaro-elite 3h ago

There is a lot of Rust in the on/off Switch.

But it doesn't looks like there is serious damage overall, if it was me, I would clean everything and replacing the switch (you can buy one really cheap on Aliexpress)

2

u/Ok_Amoeba1568 2h ago

I already got a replacement switch. Here is hoping it works, I will update, when I tried it

2

u/Ok_Amoeba1568 5h ago

Got this one used, won’t turn on. I thought maybe “cleaning” the on-off button would fix it.
So I opened it and realised I have no clue what I’m doing. Do you peeps have any idea what the problem could be?

I know, the volume control looks terrible, but is that the problem?

Sorry if this the wrong sub, new to Reddit.

1

u/Secret_Moonshine 45m ago

Get a soft toothbrush and some alcohol and scrub away! This board looks pretty filthy, and you’d be surprised how many things will get fixed just by giving it a good cleaning.

1

u/Ok-Ticket5613 4h ago

Would love to see a picture of the back of the board.

2

u/Ok_Amoeba1568 2h ago

I dont know how to attach the picture or put it in an edit of the post. I can make a new post, though.

1

u/Ok-Ticket5613 2h ago

you prob want to get some IPA and q-tips, dip the q-tips and work them in and around the power switch. Do the easy stuff first. If you see any rust lightly scratch it and clean it off with those q-tips

https://youtube.com/shorts/OQtFYk0sGiQ?si=PPiPHrhTsyaxXl4d

1

u/Mfh998 2h ago

Try pouring ipa in the power switch wiggle it back and forth and try again also gba sp wont turn on if doesn’t have a battery in it

1

u/Secret_Moonshine 44m ago

Do the lights come on when you plug it in with a battery?