help with my atari light sixer!

[eyg2181]

Recently, I got my atari light sixer working properly (sort of). I literally had to re-solder the power input and all six switches, however I don't know how to go about fixing the switches. When I got the unit off eBay a few years ago the power was very touchy, if I moved the power cord it would turn off, that's fixed now, but im guessing what detatched the switches from the circuitboard was use. All six switches are very hard to push/switch, any ideas on how to loosen them up so they don't break off the board again? How they got that way to begin with is beyond me, I guess sitting in an attic or basement for 20 years might do it. With my atari four switch and my sears light sixer I can move the switches eaisly, but in the atari light sixer they get stuck half way down, I try to turn it on too quick and it gets stuck, I gotta pull it back down (while trying not to break it) and then try to push it up again. Any ideas much appreciated, thanks.

 

Is this a common issue with the atari light sixer?

[shadow460]

open the unit and clean the switches out with a Q tip and rubbing alcohol. You should be able to get the Q tip in the ends of the switches. To clean one end, you'll have to flip the switch to the opposite position.

[Benzman66]

Do what I do, open the console and give the switches a few shots of WD-40 at the top and up the bottom of each switch. Always has cured the problem for me!

[eyg2181]

Thanks for the help. I know what I'm doing when I get home from work

[mrspring]

dunno about WD40 - more like servisol.. i think a squirt of switch-cleaner is whats needed, not a caustic lube..

[eyg2181]

I'm gonna try alcohol first before wd40