Kosmosima/Gunfighter 3 grip connection issue.

[Rahvel]

Original thread: http://forum.vkb-sim.pro/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=6937

So a long while ago I had a minor issue with my right Kosmosima grip (details in above thread).
The result from VKB support was to provide replacement contact pads for my GF3 base and Kosmosima grip.
After the parts arrived, I put them in a drawer as I wasn't using the stick as much at the time.
Months went by, and the issue wasn't occurring as frequently, so I opted to not change my contact pads lest I screw it up.
I more recently decided to get back into SC, but the issue was apparently worse than ever, so I decided I would swap the pads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-mzzcQhrnU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2hB_m0fAwU
I used the above videos as a guide to change the pads on the base and grip.
Now, unfortunately, my grip no longer seems to be communicating with my base.
The base seems to work fine, with all axis movement registering properly in VKB Config, but no grip buttons/triggers/hats register.
The grip's connection light is always blank, rather than a solid blue (or even a semi-okay white).
The black box has one blue and one blinking-red light.

I have updated to the latest config software, zbootloater and firmware (seems to flash okay despite a yellow light in the bootloader during flash)
I have tried different cables, and different black boxes.
I have disassembled and re-seated the grip multiple times.
I have triple checked the cable sequence and ensured the cables are properly seated in the connectors.

What am I missing?
Any help to get me back to a working stick?
Thanks!

[fallout9]

Post some pics please with the connectors of the new parts plugged, so we could see if the wires are in the right order.

[Rahvel]

https://imgur.com/a/rZwCfk1

[Ron61]

Your pins in the connectors are not fully inserted, so there is no contact or connection between the handle and the base.
Here is an example, two are inserted correctly, but the black one is not.

[Rahvel]

I have re-seated both sets of pins into their connectors.
No change to the grip connection status.

https://imgur.com/a/aojI6sJ

[Ron61]

Show a screenshot from the Global-External and Test-External Devices tab configurator.
If you have a multimeter, then you first need to check the presence of voltage on the contact pad of the base rod with the handle removed. It should be about 3.3v and 2.6v on the top heels relative to the bottom.

[Rahvel]

https://imgur.com/a/PZgBkXg

I do not have a multimeter.

[Ron61]

Yeah, so your BB doesn’t see the GF base either. Show photos of the base from the inside.Are the green LEDs on the front and on the Y board lit?

[Rahvel]

https://imgur.com/a/kqyLr0S

Yep, both LEDs are solid.

[Ron61]

Without installing the handle, reset the settings to default and show the Test-External Devices tab again. Until the base is visible here, the handle won't work either. Judging by your first post, the base worked. Don't use different BBs, only work with one. It's worth trying to re-upload the firmware or another version.

[Rahvel]

Having taken the handle out and plugged the base in, it is registering as showing in Config.

https://imgur.com/a/ZWRnxix

And when reinstalling the grip, it's back to this after plugging everything back in.

https://imgur.com/a/SE9xUbF

[Ron61]

Already good. We found out that the failure occurs when this particular handle is connected. I advise you to try connecting another grip to this base and see the reaction.

[Ron61]

There is a suspicion that the wires from the contact pad of the grip were mixed up during soldering. Try swapping red and yellow in the connector.

[Rahvel]

Right you are, my left hand grip has a blue LED on the grip, solid green on the BB.
What's confusing/alarming is that the right grip was working (albeit not flawlessly) yesterday before I swapped the contacts out.

[Rahvel]

There is a suspicion that the wires from the contact pad of the grip were mixed up during soldering. Try swapping red and yellow in the connector.

Swapped the yellow and red on the twist module connection - still all red bars across the board in Config.
When I connected the USB cable the top grip LEDs briefly flashed yellow before going to blank again.