Need help with a mysterious issue on my extended "Franken" Microsoft Sidewinder FFB2

[ngabor]

Hi,

 

I have built an extended "franken" MSFFB2 with an old thrustmaster topgun grip on top following this guide: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWs7bEXV0uk&t=461s

Despite my limited knowledge in electronics and soldering I managed to make it. I tested everything and worked fine.

 

Spoiler

 

Then I had to shelve it because of the Il2 forcefeedback issues (CTD and head tracking stutter). Now in the latest patch these issues have been finally solved, so all excidetd I put my FFB2 back in action and il2 did not CTD or stutter indeed. BUT the hatswitch at 90° and 270° did not work on the stick :(. Everything else was fine.

So I decided to take it apart and fix it. At this point started my journey to madness and frustration!

For better understanding I sort it to phases:

 

phase 1:

hat switch 90 and 270 not working, all else fine

phase 2: 

after checking cable connections in the extention (everithing is fine), moved to the hatswitch in the grip. After some checking and measuring with multimeter, now only 0 and 270 is working.

phase 3:

after some more testing and checking now 0 and 90 is working + button 3 (top) is not working anymore

phase 4:

more desperate and clueless testing, now only 270 is working and only button 3 on the grip

phase 5:

button 2 (bottom) wire broke form one of the legs. Resoldering it.

phase 6:

After resoldering 270 and 180 is working + every button except button 0 (main trigger)

phase 7:

writing to il2 forums...

 

So right now hatswitch 270 and 180 + main trigger is not working. Every soldering seems to be fine, all buttons are tested and in working condition (in the hatswitch too).

Connecting the appropriat cabels on the connector in the extention sends the proper hatswitch signal.

So I have no clue what is happening.

Please have mercy on me and help me out of this madeness. (⊙_☉)

Here are the pictures of my joystick taken apart, and closeup shots of the board.

Spoiler

 

 

 

[Sokol1]

The circuit in MS FFB2 HAT/buttons PCB is a "matrix", a circuit in what a wrong connection leave one o more buttons not working, or with "ghost" buttons. What means that you have  wrong connection or a "cold" solder (bad connection).

 

Under the Top Gun HAT you can't have any electronic component, check for resistor or capacitor, if are remove - some early Tm grips have resistors there because use a axis for overcome gameport buttons limitations.

 

 

[ngabor]

Hi Sokol1!

Secretly I was hoping you will come to my rescue (ᴗ ͜ʖ ᴗ)

In the TM Hat there are only microswitches, no resistors. I will check my solderings again on the MS PCB.

Thank you very much for the tips! (☞ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)☞

 

[ngabor]

Hi Sokol1!

I cleaned up some of my solderings, assembled it and now it is working!

Many thanks for the help!

(୨୧•͈ᴗ•͈)◞ᵗʱᵃᵑᵏઽ*♡