VKB Gladiator MKII - GRIP u/s red light flashing

[Hanspeter131]

Hello,

1st of all I enjoyed this product to the fullest and at 0 complains. I was about to order the Pedals too so very positive experience until now.
I received a VKB Gladiator MKII in Dember 2019 from Dix30 Simulations in Canada and was using it since then 6-10 hours a week with all its functions (Pitch Rolll Twist(Yaw) Throttle & all of the Buttons). A few days ago when returning to the paused SIM after 2 hours (DCS - Huey Module) the Grip was all of a sudden not functioning anymore and I realized the Red light (L/H side front) was flashing.

1 - Device model and version: VKB Gladiator MKII S/N: 4A56F95039-DBF7D03868, 6BE9E355FC-DA54C3F654
2 - Controller Firmware version: 1.98F (But also tried several others in the troubleshooting process)
3 - Number and type of springs used (all stock, no modification)
4 - Тype of cams used (all stock, no modification)
5 - If VKB original software is used, please always mention its version
VKBDevCfg (v0.91.22)
WIZZO Config Software (v0.93)
ZBootloader (v1.18)

6&7:

Things I have tried already:
Uploading different Firmware (1.86 - 1.99) all where successfully uploaded but flashing red light would stay after Device restart.
Set to Default
Calibrate
Restart
Open up the device and Grip to check for loose connections, I unplugged and reattached the Grip connector on both ends (Base and inside the Grip) and also some others which I thought could contribute to the problem.

I checked on http://alex-oz.strana.de/and followed the instructions on Hardware reset, was successfully carrying it out, no effect on the problem.
Tried different USB ports and different PC, no effect

As you can see in the Screenshot the VKBDevCfg reports under External Devices Gladiator Stick: 2:17.2 Communication ErrorLevel
At this Point I have no clue what to do anymore.
The Device was working without any problems for 6 months, it was never opened before (up until starting to trouble shoot) and has seen no abuse or rough handling (I am a Pilot in real life and know how to treat my controls).

I thought I will post this problem here first to see if there is a fix and eventually contact DIX30 Simulations to claim warranty (less then a year old).

I want to thank you in advance for your time you put in customer Support.

[Ron61]

Perhaps the problem is in the cable that connects the grip and base. If there is a tester, then you can measure the voltage at the connectors. First on the base board, and if so, then in the grip. If there is no tester, try this. as described here.

[Hanspeter131]

I measured continuity and voltage. black red and white.
All checked out and Voltage between + and - is 3.29
Also all the switches and the POV in the grip get 3.29 V on the Black Red Cables
The MaRs where it says Twist V2 gets 3.00 V between + and -

[Ron61]

With food it is clear - it is. It remains to find out the same with the signal wire (white). Regarding the earth (black cable) - how many volts are there?
And we are not interested in other connectors - only one main 3-pin.

[Hanspeter131]

From the 3 wired connecter: Base - Grip:

RED&BLACK: 3.290 V
WHITE&BLACK: 2.945 V
RED&WHITE: 330 mV

I measured the voltage on the Base with connector off & with everything plugged in on the connector on the Grip

[Ron61]

And the same voltage on the connector in the grip?

[Hanspeter131]

Yes!

[Ron61]

Have you tried with the blanking of the red square by the method to which I gave a link a little higher?
If this does not work, open a support ticket from the seller of the joystick.

[Hanspeter131]

Well sorry to say but I have the same problem then on e of the guys in the link, my global external screen looks different and even when I hit default (Red Button) doesn't change nothing, I tried to download most recent Firmware and Device Config Version, no change. So I cannot access the USART# 1- 3 port

[Ron61]

Add the lines to the zconfig.ini file and everything will appear.
And the board in the grip should be removed - leave only one cable connected. Display a photo of the back of the board.

[Hanspeter131]

Thank you, that worked my Program looks like this now:

And as requested a picture from the 'Grip-board' only connection hooked up to it is the 3 Pin connector from the Base.

Also tried to jmper the two connctions like described in the pictures.

I am not too sure where the checkbox light is.
But if its the grey little box next to USART#2 nothing happens there.
Means when I switch USART#2 to OFF a box appears filled red.
When I Press Set device (write to Joystick) the device restarts and the box appears grey.
Maybe worth to mention that the flashing red light at the front lefthand side becomes steady and I can cycle modes again.
But Using any of the jumpers as per link above the USART#2 box remains grey.

[Ron61]

Make this setting, Set, and try closing the indicated points again.
If you disconnect the cable from the board in the grip - how does the red box behave when moving the rod in a any direction?

p.s. try to clean the board from stains with alcohol or something similar, but not aggressive.

[Hanspeter131]

alright.

now with this setting:

If nothing happens box is grey.
When I touch the connector cable it is red intermittent, mostly grey though. (this is true for being plugged into the board and also when disconnected)
When I move the 'rod" nothing changes until I touch the cable then its intermittent again.
If I touch the cable and touch the black pin on the board with conducting tweezers the red intermittent stops and its solid grey.
When I bridge white and red on the board its red solid.(this also works when simultaneously bridging Black and R1 (151) Resistor opposite site of R1)

I cleaned the bottom of the board, no change in behavior.

[Ron61]

There is only one conclusion - the grip board is faulty. It is worth changing.

[Hanspeter131]

Hello and thank you for your help.
It was an interesting and (at least for myself) a challenging trouble shooting process.
About changing the Board in the Grip whats the next step?


I purchased the Gladiator Nov2019 and I have a receipt/Invoice
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