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HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 5:54
by Serialk1llr
Hey Gang,
Back again with another blinking red light on my blackbox issue
I followerd the great tutorial video (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDZbdVwttlg) from VKB to swap the stock ministick with a HAT. After completing this, plugged my SCG/MK III back in and got the dreaded blinking red light again.
Any idea what happened? I had a similar issue that was fixed by reflashing firmware (forum.vkb-sim.pro/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4892). So, thinking this might help, I flashed to the correct firmware for my grip/base (_BlackBox_MK2_GF_SCG_v2_05_5.vkb) following this tutorial (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCajFZ9e9gw&t=180s) just to see if that would help, but still got the blinking red light.
I'm stumped. Again.

For reference, my setup is:
Gunfighter Mk.III 'Space Combat Edition'
SCG Premium-R(ight)
T-Rudders Mk.IV
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 6:56
by fallout9
Click the Default button under the Tools tab and recalibrate (including the rudders). Still blinking?
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 19:01
by Serialk1llr
Yeah, I did the recalibration initially after flashing updated firmware and still got the red blinking light sadly.
Pic for reference:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yatqoKovhKCwb2Lw6https://photos.app.goo.gl/UYQ2HmZft4KNwYE47The green light
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 19:12
by fallout9
Please post a screenshot with Global/External/LEDs chart.
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 20:47
by Serialk1llr
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 21:35
by fallout9
Seems like your grip is not sitting properly on the base. Loosen the fastener and press gently on the grip while tightening the fastener. Do not press hard on the grip and do not overtighten the fastener.
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 22:13
by Serialk1llr
Tried doing this several times, being firm but not harsh while seating the grip, and making sure not to torque the fastener down (tight enough to hold onto the base). Still got the blinking red light. Any other ideas?
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 22:22
by fallout9
Are the buttons on the grip working though? Click on your grip icon under Test/External Devices and post a screenshot with the Comm Error window please.
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 23:03
by Serialk1llr
I don't believe the buttons have worked since I replaced the hat switch. That is one thing I did notice while poking around. I could get the x-axis and y-axis to show activity, but not the buttons. I also don't see any activity when running the VKB_BtnTester program.
Pic as requested
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qLXApLhveYCnf9up6
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2021 0:03
by fallout9
Then it means you either forgot to plug the cable inside the grip or one of the bridge PCBs is not properly in place.
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2021 2:09
by Serialk1llr
Got it. I'll do a tear down and reassembly tonight when I get back home and see if that fixes anything.
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2021 17:40
by Serialk1llr
Okay, so I've done a couple of tear-downs and reassembles taking painstaking care to make sure all PCB connecting pins are where they should be, all screws are snug but not overtight, that all buttons acuate physically with an audible click, and the plug inside the grip is seated and connected.
Still have this cursed red blicking light.
I will say that I take apart and reassemble my own PC often as well as others for friends and family so I'm not unfamiliar with this kind of work (I just did a complete teardown of my current PC and rebuild of my custom water cooling loop and transferred it to a new case). I've even done a few laptops with all those pesky ribbon cables.
For the life of me, I don't think I missed anything, I have no extra screws, none of the PCB pins are bent or damaged, and everything went back together without issue.

Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 1:16
by fallout9
Check again the PCB pointed at below, could be tricky to seat on all those pins.
Also the 3 wires cable that connects the internals with the 3 pins on the bottom needs to be checked.
See if the 3 pins on the bottom of the grip are all at the same height.
Clean the 3 contact pads on the base with a bit of alcohol.
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 3:30
by Serialk1llr
Hey Fallout, was there supposed to be a picture?
Re: HAT switch change, and now a BlackBox w/Blinking Red Light
Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 3:37
by fallout9
Of course it was

)) sorry here it is.