Atari 2600 4 Switch Tune Up Kit Installation Guide

Turn the Atari over and remove the 4 screws. Set them aside for later. Remove the main board out of the console by disconnecting the RF cable shown below. Take off the black foam covers on the switches and set them aside for later. Carefully take the foil tape off of the metal casing if you want to replace it after..

Using the need nose pliers, bend up the 4 tabs around the metal case. Remove the metal casing (top and bottom). You should now have the main board like this with access to all the components.

The image below will give you an idea of what components you will be replacing. First note the Rev # of your system, it is circled in Blue in the picture below. There are 3 groups when it comes to revisions, 1-13, 14-15, and 16 or up. Identify which of these 3 your unit falls into. The layouts are a little different and sometimes the style of capacitor you are replacing may look different but that is OK, more details below. Also note that Rev 16 and up do not have do not have C201 so if you have this model you will have an extra black radial capacitor with your kit that will not be used.

The silkscreen images below (click to view higher res image) show the locations of C201(except Rev 16), C206, C207, C214, C241, C242, C243, and A203 on the main board. You will need to de-solder and remove the existing components and replace them. Use the pictures below to find the correct component locations based on your Revision model.

C201(Skip this on Rev 16+ as there is no C201) and C214 will use one of the the small black radial capacitors in the picture below. Please note these capacitors are polarized so they have a positive and negative lead and must be installed the correct way. The longer lead is the positive and the shorter lead (side with the gray stripe) is the negative. The circuit board should mark which hole the positive lead goes in for each of these.
Next move on to the large axial capacitor. This will replace C243 and is also polarized. Again, note the the correct side for the positive lead based on the circuit board marking. The arrow on the capacitor points to the negative side. Be sure to install it correctly as reversing these will blow the capacitor and could damage your system.

You should have two of the small yellow, axial audio capacitors that will replace C206 and C207 in the audio circuit. They are not polarized and can be installed in either direction. These will look different then what is currently installed on your Atari but they are a better type of capacitor compared to the original and are less prone to failure.
Replace C241 and C242 with the two green “Chiclet” capacitors, these can be installed in any direction.
Lastly, replace the 3 pin voltage regulator at A203. Be sure it is oriented the same way with the screw hole and use a small amount of thermal paste between the bottom of the chip and the board. You should not use the whole packet of paste.

Now you are ready to put everything back together. Optional: While the cover is off you can also adjust the color potentiometer on the bottom left of the main board. It is the big plastic circle and is the only pot on the board. Hook it up to the TV to test it and use a game you are familiar with to adjust it so the colors are just right. A game like Frogger or Pitfall with a variety of bright colors is ideal.

Now unplug everything, and put the top metal casing over the main board and secure it with the tabs and put it back in the case. Be sure to put the foam covers on all the switches and the foil tape if you still have it

Now put the top cover back on, and put back screws back in. After that you are done and ready to enjoy your Atari! Also be sure to check out my Atari mods for composite video and a pause switch here. Please leave a comment below and let me know how you made out!