Issue with Cougar HOTAS throttle slider

[CybrSlydr]

So I've just purchased a Cougar and the stick works great, as well as all the buttons (afaik) on the throttle but the actual throttle slider isn't working.

 

When I launch the analyzer, it's stuck at 48% or something and moving it forwards/backwards doesn't change the values.

 

If I open the throttle up, what should I be looking for?

 

EDIT: Also, the Antenna Elevation calibration seems off as when I center it in the detent, it registers as 45% on the analyzer. Same with the Man Rng/Uncage, centered in the detent gives a reading of 62%.

[CybrSlydr]

I pulled out the sensor on the throttle to see if there was anything that didn't check on it.

 

 

I'm also noticing I'm missing a wire? In another teardown vid, the screw near the 4-pin connector for the pot for the throttle has a yellow wire connected to it - I don't seem to see this wire anywhere.

 

[Rudel_chw]

So I've just purchased a Cougar and the stick works great, as well as all the buttons (afaik) on the throttle but the actual throttle slider isn't working.

 

When I launch the analyzer, it's stuck at 48% or something and moving it forwards/backwards doesn't change the values. If I open the throttle up, what should I be looking for?

 

Hello,

 

This video shows how to open the throttle and replace its main potentiometer:

 

qmbJAGfIwTw

 

EDIT: Also, the Antenna Elevation calibration seems off as when I center it in the detent, it registers as 45% on the analyzer. Same with the Man Rng/Uncage, centered in the detent gives a reading of 62%.

You need to install the original Cougar software, from this link: https://support.thrustmaster.com/en/product/hotascougar-en/

 

This isnt an easy software to install, as it's from more than 15 years ago .. here I wrote a Guide that you may find helpful:

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=181049

 

Once the software is installed, run its calibration utility (not the one of Windows):

 

 

This will fix the Antenna and Range knobs, as the calibration compensates for worn pots.

Best regards,

 

Eduardo.

[CybrSlydr]

I think it's a pot problem as I manually twist the prong of the sensor and it's not budging - well, it slowly went down to 35% now instead of 48%, but isn't recognizing anything else atm.

[CybrSlydr]

Ha! That's the exact video I watched to check mine. :)

 

I just ordered a new hall sensor pot for the throttle from Vipergear - website said he had one left in stock, so I hope mine will ship out sometime this week.

 

I'll go do that calibration right now - thank you for your help!

 

EDIT: Is there anything important about that yellow wire in the video that connects to the screw by the pot pins? Is it a ground wire or something?

[Rudel_chw]

I think it's a pot problem as I manually twist the prong of the sensor and it's not budging - well, it slowly went down to 35% now instead of 48%, but isn't recognizing anything else atm.

 

Contact Guillemot here: https://support.thrustmaster.com/en/contact-en/?p=HOTAS%20Cougar

 

The Part number of the throttle pot is 6000194, its description "Potentiometer Axe Z CTS 251B15F104B6NB"

 

I've purchased from them in the past, not cheap but last year they did have this pot in stock.

[Sokol1_br]

I'm also noticing I'm missing a wire? In another teardown vid, the screw near the 4-pin connector for the pot for the throttle has a yellow wire connected to it - I don't seem to see this wire anywhere.

 

Is the ground wire from PCB, see in the above linked video:

 

[CybrSlydr]

I got the new sensor from ViperGear and installed it.

 

Did not fix the problem. Moving the throttle forward/backwards is not registering in the manual calibration or in the analyzer.

 

What is my next step?

[CybrSlydr]

Looking through the throttle handle, I don't see a ground wire at all. Was this removed in later iterations or something?

[CybrSlydr]

Here are some images of it all installed.

 

 

 

Everything look ok?

[Rudel_chw]

The actual signal processing is done on the stick's base, not on the throttle ... so, check that the cable that connects the throttle with the stick is in good condition, make sure that there is no bend pins or rust on the pins of this cable.

 

Hard to say what else could be faulty ... the rainbow colored cable is for the throttle buttons, microstick and dials, has nothing to do with the throttle pot.

[CybrSlydr]

Thanks Rudel for your help - I've still not managed to figure out what's wrong with the throttle slider.

 

The pins in the plug as well as the base of the stick seem fine - none are bent, nothings clogged...

 

My stick even has the "Do not open - warranty void if seal broken" sticker on it.

 

Anyone else have any ideas? Can I still e-mail Thrustmaster and see if they have any suggestions for what may be wrong?

[CybrSlydr]

I dunno if this helps, but all of the buttons seem to work - such as the dogfight and speedbrake, but none of the axis buttons on the joystick work. The man range rotor doesn't work, the antenna rotor doesn't work, the rdr cursor joystick doesn't work either.

 

Does this sound indicative of something you've come across before?

[Rudel_chw]

I dunno if this helps, but all of the buttons seem to work - such as the dogfight and speedbrake, but none of the axis buttons on the joystick work. The man range rotor doesn't work, the antenna rotor doesn't work, the rdr cursor joystick doesn't work either.

 

Does this sound indicative of something you've come across before?

 

No, I’ve had issues with individual axis, like the stick’s X & Y and the micr0stick’s, but all pf those were caused by worn potentiometers ... in your case all the axis at the sane time arent working, its really unusual.

 

Have you installed the thrustmaster software or are you using the cougar just with the generic windows drivers?

[CybrSlydr]

No, I’ve had issues with individual axis, like the stick’s X & Y and the micr0stick’s, but all pf those were caused by worn potentiometers ... in your case all the axis at the sane time arent working, its really unusual.

 

 

 

Have you installed the thrustmaster software or are you using the cougar just with the generic windows drivers?

I'm using thrustmaster softwsre.

 

Get this. I use the analyzer and those rotaries only register about 50% motion. Apparently they work but not completely.

 

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[mtwsims]

The 24 pin connector in the Throttle is plugged to a 22 pin header. Check if it is in the right position.

[CybrSlydr]

Which plug? The red or green circled one?

 

I'm assuming the red.

[CybrSlydr]

Not sure what I was expecting from Thrustmaster, but the response I got from them was less than helpful.

 

Hello, We thank you for contacting Thrustmaster Tech Support.

 

We are sorry to inform you that we no longer support the Hotas Cougar, hence we we're not providing any repair services for this specific product anymore. However please refer to this link: http://www.cougar.flyfoxy.com/index.php as they might provide the requested parts.

 

We thank you for your close cooperation and rest at your disposal for any other inquiries.

 

To ensure the most efficient follow-up of your query, please answer directly to this email (do not open a new ticket).

 

Kind regards,

Your Thrustmaster Customer Support Agent, Abdallah

http://support.thrustmaster.com

[Sokol1_br]

Originally Posted by CybrSlydr View Post

I dunno if this helps, but all of the buttons seem to work - such as the dogfight and speedbrake, but none of the axis buttons on the joystick work. The man range rotor doesn't work, the antenna rotor doesn't work, the rdr cursor joystick doesn't work either.

 

Probable your axes problem is not in the throttle - components there are all passive, but in interface cable to joy base or in the joy USB controller.

 

Can check interface cable connectivity with a multimeter (continuity mode) checking pin by pin.

 

A broken Power of Gnd wire or pin will make all TQS axis stop to send signal.

 

Can test Antenna, Range pot with multimeter in resistance mode, measuring between middle and one side pin, should read around 100k.

Edited October 7, 2019 by Sokol1_br

[CybrSlydr]

The 24 pin connector in the Throttle is plugged to a 22 pin header. Check if it is in the right position.

 

Just checked - can confirm that the 24-pin connector is connected correctly. Still not working.

[mtwsims]

Then Sokol is right and the issue is not in your throttle. It's either the cable, your cougar stick mainboard or software.

[Rudel_chw]

I'm using thrustmaster softwsre.

 

Get this. I use the analyzer and those rotaries only register about 50% motion. Apparently they work but not completely.

 

 

 

Hi,

 

 

I made a short video with the calibration of my Cougar, so you can see the raw values of my axes and compare them with yours to check which are different.

 

 

tCXV0O4ZEGg

 

 

Also, be sure to never calibrate the Hotas using the Windows generic tool, as it will leave information on Windows registry that can alter the values of the axes .. use the HOTASCleanse.exe tool (its on the HOTAS folder) to delete those extra values.

 

 

Hope you can fix this problem.

[CybrSlydr]

Thanks for the video - I went and checked my calibration vs the analyzer and my readings are a bit different than yours.

 

For instance, the z-axis (throttle slider) doesn't change it's output values. The rotaries don't give an output until about 1/3 of the way from zero to the middle detent and then stop outputting once you get about 1/3 from the maximum.

 

All of the buttons are registering presses as well. With the microstick, it's giving some small outputs on calibration and the press is registering.

 

I guess it's time to open up the stick and see what's going on in there.

[CybrSlydr]

Here's the PCB - couldn't get it out b/c of the plugs.

 

 

Anything look amiss?

[Rudel_chw]

Here's the PCB - couldn't get it out b/c of the plugs.

 

Anything look amiss?

 

You can unscrew the 4 lugs at the side of each frontal plug, then you will be able to move the board back a little and then turn it over to check its connections.