Call this number. They should be able to help you.

(408) 745-2367

Best console death ever?

Lol!  I came to make a similar comment!!

Just by an Atari flashback and hack the thing to play your old cartridges..

I just pulled out the 2600, the NES, and the N64 yesterday and hooked them all up.

I would try eBay and grab a new RF connector and give that a shot.

Things to try.

1. Cleaning the cart connector contacts (just in case they weren't cleaned well) and the cart contacts themselves.

2. Checking the A/C adaptor to make sure it is putting out enough power.

3. Checking the R/F modulator to make sure it connected properly.

4. Chucking the unit and getting another one. Atari units do go bad on occasion.

And yes, it is possible to have woodgrain units still working. I even have some six-switchers that are operational as well as a Sears Video Arcade II (released in Japan as the Atari 2800). My favorite 2600 though is a 7800.

If you need additional help -- digitpress.com or atariage.com

Its either the CRT controller - Fix by sourcing another 2600 and canbalising

or the RF mod - Fix by purchasing a compatible RF mod

My old 2600 (wood paneled) survived a flooded basement which it was kept in a bottom drawer under the tv. At first it didn't work and we claimed it on insurance right around the Genesis being released. Insurance company gave us $20 for the system and $5 for the game and considering we had about 30-40 games that gave me and my sister plenty of money to buy a Sega Genesis and 4-5 games. After a week or two I plugged the 2600 back in and it worked. Funny thing about the Genesis. The day we got it I somehow accidentally used the NES power adapter for the Genesis. It worked but after 2-3 hours of constant play it started freezing up. We then noticed what I did wrong and hooked up the Genesis power adapter but it kept freezing. We took it back to Toy's R Us and since we just bought it they let us replace it (We didn't tell them what I did).  MIA 2600, NES, and Genesis all stolen from rental house my parents left the systems at.  I should have never left them there.

On Topic: I'd just look to replace the RF or something in that nature.

Here is the badboy I have that still works.

I have the one without the orange outline. (I think it's an orange outline that the other versions have)

Try an RCA to coaxial adaptor, they are much more reliable than the rf switch boxes,
http://www.atariage.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_28&products_id=42
though they can be found dirt cheap on ebay, and you can make your own in about 5 minutes with a solder iron
you can also do an rca mod
http://benheck.com/book/support/Atari2600VidMod.htm
I've done this it is easy

for NiKKoM suggestion
http://www.atarimuseum.com/fb2hacks/
it is very easy to do, I've done this as well
and you can use the parts from your original console for the cartridge port if it really is shot
using the flashback 2 modified also works well for portablizing

personally I've still got a heavy-sixer (the original 1977 units made in Sunnyvale, CA) hooked up and running, it still works perfectly. Out of the 30 or so 2600's I've had over the years only 1 Jr. model didn't work (it clearly had been exposed to extreme temperatures), so I'd be surprised if it is actually broken
I'm almost positive it is a bad switch box judging by the symptoms you described