Wico joysticks

[mindprober]

My Wico Command Control that I have had for years has also had a pain of a problem for years that I have been meaning to do something about but never got around to it. I am giving it another look now.

The Fire buttons (on the stick and the base) just stop working sometimes. In the past I have turned off the computer (originally used it with a C64), unplugged the joystick and plugged it back in, turned the computer back on and then it worked again. I opened it up way back then and never found anything obviously wrong. The feather switches are in pretty good shape with only minor wear. Since they both fail at the same time, I am inclined to believe it is something with the 9 pin connector and nothing to do with switches.

Then again, this model also has a two position slide switch to activate one Fire button or both. I suppose this switch, if not working correctly, could render both Fire buttons non-functional. It too "appears" to be in good shape, though.

I could not find any other discussions about this specific problem so I take that to mean it is not a common problem.

I also have a Competition Pro joystick that works fine in the same computer but the Wico C.C. with the Fire button on the stick has always been my favorite.

I was hoping I could find replacement cables but the only thing I keep finding are cable extensions and I know just any cable will not be a good match for the enclosure. Finding a cheap, used joystick in good shape is not going well either. I am surprised to see how much people are charging for these things all beat up.

[mindprober]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that the problem exists across multiple computers. It is something about the joystick alright.

This is good troubleshooting procedure here, but what I would do is test the controller with another computer.  And test another controller with that computer.  That should narrow it down to exactly if it's a problem with the controller, or with the computer.  Good luck!  

[mindprober]

There are two different Fire buttons on the joystick. They both fail at the same time so I do not believe the switches/contacts are to blame. I did use contact cleaner on the 9 pin connector, though. It did not help.

I will try the continuity test.

Sounds like it could be the switch.  Spray some contact cleaner in there and wiggle the switch several times to clean the crud off of the contacts.  Might work better from inside the open joystick. You could also spray some contact cleaner into the tiny holes at the end of the joystick cable on the DB-9 connector. You could also open the joystick and use a q-tip swab with some alcohol to clean the leaf switches for the fire button.

If it's not that, then test the continuity from the switch output to the pin socket on the end of the joystick's DB9 connector which delivers the fire button signal to the computer.  If it cuts in and out as you wiggle the cable, there could be a broken wire in there and you'll have to replace the joystick cable.

[mindprober]

I tested them both by sliding the switch. Typically, I use the fire button on the stick. When it stops working, I try the base fire button. When one stops working, so does the other. But my memory on how the switch works might be a little fuzzy. My recollection was that it was either the stick button or, by sliding the switch, you get BOTH. I will have to double-check that.

When you say they both fail at the same time, I'm not quite sure I understand - on all my Wico joystick the switch enables EITHER the stick firebutton OR the firebutton on the base.  But not both at the same time.  So how do you know they've both failed simultaneously?  Do you mean when one fails you flip the switch and the other still doesn't work?

If so, then yes it sounds like a faulty cable.

[mindprober]

Continuity was good...and I moved the cable while testing. I went ahead and used a small amount of rubbing alcohol on the contacts as I have heard conflicting reports on using anything stronger. Some have said to not even use fluid but rather a business card moved around with slight pressure applied.

I was right about the slide switch...when in the #1 spot, only the top Fire button works, when in #2 they both work.

Plugged it back in and it is working again....for the moment.  

[mindprober]

Well, that did not last long. Typical of what I have seen in the past. This is really a hard one to pin down. I wonder if perhaps the contact point on PIN 6 is moving internally when pushed in and would therefore not be noticeable when testing continuity.

I have a plan. I will dig up another Wico joystick I have buried somewhere. "The Boss" it was called. I didn't like that one very much and it could also have a button problem. Since they're from the same company, the internal connection points are probably similar/identical. Would be ever better if they had the same color coding. I will check it out and try swapping the entire cable.

[mindprober]

Thanks for your help!

I honestly wouldn't worry about the alcohol thing - I've used it for years.  It's absolutely fine for electronic contacts, especially with something as tough as a WICO joystick.

I wasn't concerned about alcohol, but something stronger. As I indicated, I already went in there with rubbing alcohol and even though I did not expect any change, I did it anyway.

2. the button selection switch. Clean it, replace it, or bypass it entirely.

I was considering this also if the cable swap does not work out.

If I were you, yes, I would replace the cable with the one from the WICO boss.

This sounds like the best option so far.

But how many systems have you tested this Wico joystick on?  One, two?  And it doesn't work on all of them?

Yes, problem follows the joystick, computer does not matter.