Orion 2 F-16 Joystick Buttons Not Working

[ecirpnai]

Just got a new WinWing Orion 2 with the F-16 stick and none of the buttons are working.  The SimAppPro software sees the base but not the stick.  I have disconnected and reconnected the base and stick but still no buttons.  I have raised a support ticket with WinWing but I am guessing its the PS2 lead either on the base or stick itself.  If anyone can help, would be greatly appreciated. 

Edited May 23, 2024 by ecirpnai

[MustangSally]

The plug isn't in the socket correctly

[ecirpnai]

Thanks for posting.  You are sort of right, the problem was with the PS2 plug cable.  It was plugged in correctly.  I first checked the continently on the PS2 socket on the base which was fine.  But the problem was the cable inside the grip which was cracked inside.  I think where the cable enters at the neck of the PS2 plug.  So by manipulating the cable the LED on the PCD inside the grip would flash, indicating a connection.  The photo below shows the position when the connection is made. 

 

 

In the video you can see the LED flashing, but when the cable is lined up in the grip for normal use, so when the cable is straight, the LED stops flashing loosing the connection.

I have been in touch with WinWing who were really helpful and are sending me a replacement cable.  There are two versions of the cable.  Version 1 is the smaller PS2 plug and Version 2 is a larger plug.  I will update you when the replacement cable arrives.

Cheers

Ian

On 5/23/2024 at 9:45 AM, MustangSally said:

The plug isn't in the socket correctly

 

Edited June 5, 2024 by ecirpnai

[ecirpnai]

I received my replacement cables a few days ago from China.  They sent me a new cable for the grip and the base.  I replaced the PS2 cable in the grip and tested it before I reassembled the grip and the SimPro software recognised it.  So I put the grip back together and attached it to the base but still I was not getting a connection.  So I took out the new cable and did a continuity test on the connections of the new PS2 cable and they were fine.  So I put it back together and tried again with the same result.  I did notice that once the plug was fully seated in the PS2 socket on the base the connection was lost.  You can tell this as the LED on the PCB in the grip stops flashing and no power is getting to it.

So I opened the base to replace the PS2 socket.  It unscrewed the four large hex bolts on the top of the base and removed the housing.  After that I unscrewed the two small hex bolts holding the socket plate to the base.  Then on the base PCB I remove the glue that was securing the white connector and I unplugged the white connector. 

null

 

nullNow following the black ribbon cable I carefully unpicked it around the gimbles, springs, etc.  With a  pair of tweeters.  Once loose, carefully feed it back through and gently pull the PS2 socket up.  If you feel any resistance, stop and see what it is catching on.  The cable will not come all the way out as you have to remove the large rubber boot on top of the base.  To do this just unscrew the four small hex bolts and nuts.  Now my base had more glue on it preventing the white plug from exiting the base.  I removed it with tweeters and fed the white plug through the hole through the base.  You can see the hole in the photo below with the black ribbon cable going in it.  It is a fiddly job feeding the white plug through the hole but using tweeters it does go through it.

 

 

 

Now putting the new cable in is just the reverse of taking it out.  I threaded the white connector through though and ensured it was in the guides before I connected everything, making sure it wasn't catching on anything.

 

Once it was fully assembled, grip and base it worked perfectly.  It didn't take long to do even though I didn't have any guides that I could find to follow.  Winwing did ask me to take photos of the base PS2 socket with the heat shrink pulled back and I did get the impression I wasn't the first to have this problem.  What I think is causing the problem is when they glue in the cable in the hole in the photo.  Because I think when you pull back or move the joystick the glue doesn't allow any movement of the cable hence over stressing the joints on the socket soldered connectors breaking the connection.  But hey, what do I know?  Anyway I hope this helps someone?

Cheers

Ian