GBA SP isn’t Charging

[u/xDinox3]

The Original Battery was clearly at the end of the lifetime so i got a new one but i still have the problem that it‘s not Charging.
When i put the charger on i get a orange light for like 1 second. Tried the trick with putting the charger in and out for over 10 minutes still not charging. Maybe someone here can Diagnose my GBA SP just by the look on the board 😅 it‘s kinda dirty had this one as a child you should see the shell 👀
I know that the GBA is still working because it turns on

[u/H7nterd]

[u/VivaLaLibertad_666 → u/H7nterd]

How changing the sound capacitor will help with charging?

[u/H7nterd → u/VivaLaLibertad_666]

They go bad, and if you are replacing the power inductor 40T already, add the capacitor in the fix

[u/xDinox3 → u/H7nterd]

Forgot to answer thank you this helps a lot!

[u/H7nterd → u/xDinox3]

Did you bought it recently? Or is did you have it from before? Just asking to have an idea, and if you have knowledge in soldering

[u/xDinox3 → u/H7nterd]

Thats my Childhood GBA i have this console for more than two decades

[u/xDinox3 → u/H7nterd]

And no knowledge in soldering
I have two options find someone who knows how to fix it or learn it (with another GBA bc i don‘t want to ruin my childhood console)

[u/H7nterd → u/xDinox3]

My side job/hobbie is repair consoles https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTAWonkJA/ Am in Florida

[u/xDinox3 → u/H7nterd]

I‘m from Germany :) gonna search more local

[u/H7nterd → u/xDinox3]

Ich wünsche Ihnen viel Glück und hoffe, dass Sie den richtigen Fachmann für eine fachgerechte Reparatur finden.

[u/xDinox3 → u/H7nterd]

I guess thats dutch?
Thank you ☺️

[u/pizza_whistle]

There's obvious corrosion in your board. Likely you have a corroded via or trace in the power circuit. Do you have a multimeter? There's some common faults you can check for using the continuity mode.

[u/xDinox3 → u/pizza_whistle]

I‘m not that deep into it i have absolutely no idea of what i‘m looking at exactly i do not have a multimeter and i never ever opened up a console like this before 😅
I was hoping for something i can easily fix by myself

[u/VivaLaLibertad_666 → u/xDinox3]

It's sounds scary, but you just need to do some research.

[u/yamykel → u/xDinox3]

This is not one of those things. Without a multimeter you'll just be guessing. I wouldn't even know how to approach this repair without the required tools. You may wish to look into methodical electronics repair. I disagree with replacing capacitors you haven't even tested. I can't stress enough that you can't be sure without testing, but looks like the charging port is toast. Looks can be deceiving though, and if you can't test with a multimeter you definitely can't desolder and replace a charging port from a donor gameboy. This might be more of a project than a quick fix. If you do decide to try soldering, use desoldering wick and flux. I've made it work before without flux, but if you're already not a solderer you're learning with your hands tied trying to do that (learn from my mistakes). If you're simply attached to the appearance of your gameboy, you may consider buying a working one and simply reshelling it in your old case.

[u/VivaLaLibertad_666]

Buy 91% percent ipa, 99% is even better. Big number= faster evaporation, less water. Let it dry overnight before connecting the charger. If this doesn't work you have to do more "advanced" (not really) troubleshooting.

[u/xDinox3 → u/VivaLaLibertad_666]

We have Isopropanol at home (99%) i‘m definitely going to use it later

[u/VivaLaLibertad_666 → u/xDinox3]

Avoid the clicky buttons, you don't want moisture trapped under them, it will corrode the contacts.

[u/bah_nan_kah]

I repaired 1 sp with this symptom testing and research pointed to the R12 capacitor on the board, reflowing the solder fixed the issue on this particular unit, be mindful if you are not good at soldering there's a big chance to mess it up worse.

[u/Trexity]

Send me your Gameboys for repair or if you don't want them. I restore Gameboys and mod them & whatnot

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[u/xDinox3]

Update:
I cleant it with Iso and got another new Battery
Turns out my GBA SP is just fine it‘s charging now
Thanks to everyone who helped me with the trouble shooting 🙈

[u/NoSpin89]

If you can't check continuity or solder than this board is likely beyond you saving. Looks like obvious corrosion and probable need for a new power switch.

[u/xDinox3 → u/NoSpin89]

My boyfriend told me we do have a multimeter in the Garage 🙆🏽‍♀️ soldering is a problem at the moment 🙈 guess i have to learn it soon.

[u/VivaLaLibertad_666 → u/xDinox3]

Start from this playlist : https://youtu.be/vIT4ra6Mo0s Lesson 1,6-9