F18 Stick Issue - Castle Switch

[Thanatos31]

Recently my Castle Switch has started acting up. 

it would be soft/non click/ non registering to the left; after pressing right a couple of times it would be "active" again. 

Has anyone ever replaced a castle switch or even know where / how to get the parts? 

Unfortunately google hasnt delivered for me - and the stick is out of warranty 

Thanks 

 

[Hempstead]

You may not need to replace it... yet.

 

First, open it up and take the switch out. Carefully open it up, and make sure you take a picture of the wiring (color of wires, so in case you dislodge the wires, you know which goes to which in order to solder them back. The soldering and wiring is a bit fragile. Inside, there are four mini-pushbuttons sitting on each side, N-E-S-W, see the attached picture. You can buy some from SparkFun to replace them. Should be this one, https://www.sparkfun.com/products/97. But I can't guarantee it, as I can't find that bag of mine I bought. But the case dimension should be 7x7x3.5mm (excluding the button part. Note that you will need to modify the leads a bit and solder them in place.

Or, if you are adventurous, you can open the mini-pushbuttons, and clean them up... reassemble, and you should be fine.

I have done the cleaning with an air compressor and some electronic contact reviving solution like 3 times with my Warthog throttle MIC switch... (inside, they are all the same construction), before I had to buy spare part of the whole thing from Thrustmaster (something else broke).

 

 

null

[Sokol1_br]

For replace OMRON B3F-100 micro-switches is more "bullet proof".

[Burt]

Just got my F-18 grip my third one I sent back the other 2 from Amazon dealers because of switches not returning to center both was weapon select. Now this one the third one the castle switch does not return to center. Dang !!!! This one is from Thrustmaster !!! I might be able to live with it … maybe, what to do what to do.

[Burt]

But if I I flick it left it will return. Maybe it just needs alittle breaking in… I maybe able to live with this. 

[Diesel_Thunder]

One thing that'll help is that most of Thrustmasters products have a 2 year warranty. Open up a case with them and they can send you a replacement part or you may be able to send it to them for repair.

I ran into this for my Hornet grip, though the weapon select switch was what broke on mine. Dealing with Thrustmaster was pretty straight forward and I was able to replace that switch myself. Mine would stick going forward and aft, and I thought it would free up as I used it and "broke it in". It never got better and eventually stopped registering hits when going aft. The new switch feels much better.

[Burt]

Yeah they are great in responding but the only downfall is that they only use PayPal for parts and I cancelled my account years ago because of fraudulent activity. I was trying to get a trim hat to replace on my viper grip. But true they responded very quick and professional. I decided to keep the Hornet grip but will keep a good eye on that sensor control left position.

[Phantom711]

Hi...

I have a similar problem with the weapon select switch...seems to be a very common problem.

Now I also have the Viper grip and the CMS switch has the same functionality but the "click" feels way more solid. Looking at the CMS from the outside (and measuring its diameter) it seems to have the same dimensions like the Hornet weapon select switch. 

Anyone here knows, if one could just order the CMS as a spare part and change it for the WSS on the Hornet grip? How would I get the actual button piece off?

[thunderbolt83]

Il 31/5/2022 at 22:45, Hempstead ha scritto:

You may not need to replace it... yet.

 

First, open it up and take the switch out. Carefully open it up, and make sure you take a picture of the wiring (color of wires, so in case you dislodge the wires, you know which goes to which in order to solder them back. The soldering and wiring is a bit fragile. Inside, there are four mini-pushbuttons sitting on each side, N-E-S-W, see the attached picture. You can buy some from SparkFun to replace them. Should be this one, https://www.sparkfun.com/products/97. But I can't guarantee it, as I can't find that bag of mine I bought. But the case dimension should be 7x7x3.5mm (excluding the button part. Note that you will need to modify the leads a bit and solder them in place.

Or, if you are adventurous, you can open the mini-pushbuttons, and clean them up... reassemble, and you should be fine.

I have done the cleaning with an air compressor and some electronic contact reviving solution like 3 times with my Warthog throttle MIC switch... (inside, they are all the same construction), before I had to buy spare part of the whole thing from Thrustmaster (something else broke).

 

 

null

I had a switch on the castle that don't work, so after disassembled the grip I must push out the whole castle and split in the half (I see 4 hole, there are 4 Bolt ?) after that I must see which switch stopped clicking.. But how can I pull out from that thiny place? Sorry for the languages.. 

 

[thunderbolt83]

 

Il 2/6/2022 at 01:13, Sokol1_br ha scritto:

For replace OMRON B3F-100 micro-switches is more "bullet proof".

Can you help me for a quick explanation on how change the microswitch?  

Edited June 15, 2023 by thunderbolt83

[LancerVI]

I just wanted to pipe in and say I just received a ThrustMaster F18C stick ordered from Thrusmaster on Amazon and the castle hat up was stuck on (button #7). Couldn't get it to disengage or work in anyway, so this is still an issue apparently. Glad it was out of the box. Sending it back. Not disassembling a new stick. 

After talking with Amazon customer service, they said they couldn't even offer a replacement; either I had to just take the refund or be put into contact with Thrustmaster, whom they said have very strict inventory controls. Needless to say, I took a refund. 

Any other suggestions besides the F18 stick that would work with a Thrustmaster Warthog &/or Magnetic Base?  Have the F16/A10 stick, WH throttle and TPR. Wanted a new stick, but I have to say, didn't like the feel of the F18C grip anyway, so I kind of feel 'lucky' for lack of a better word. I suppose I would've gotten used to it. 

Just fyi.

Edited January 23, 2024 by LancerVI

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

3 hours ago, LancerVI said:

I just wanted to pipe in and say I just received a ThrustMaster F18C stick ordered from Thrusmaster on Amazon and the castle hat up was stuck on (button #7). Couldn't get it to disengage or work in anyway, so this is still an issue apparently. Glad it was out of the box. Sending it back. Not disassembling a new stick. 

After talking with Amazon customer service, they said they couldn't even offer a replacement; either I had to just take the refund or be put into contact with Thrustmaster, whom they said have very strict inventory controls. Needless to say, I took a refund. 

Any other suggestions besides the F18 stick that would work with a Thrustmaster Warthog &/or Magnetic Base?  Have the F16/A10 stick, WH throttle and TPR. Wanted a new stick, but I have to say, didn't like the feel of the F18C grip anyway, so I kind of feel 'lucky' for lack of a better word. I suppose I would've gotten used to it. 

Just fyi.

 

Same happened to mine an TM paid a replacement, sent the unit to France.
It was time ago, but it is sad seeing Customer support diluting.