BlackBox Blinking Red Light

[Serialk1llr]

Hey Folks - hoping you all might be able to help me troubleshoot an issue.

Recently purchased (October 10, 2020) a Gunfighter Mk.III SCG Premium (Right) setup from VKB directly and it has been working like a dream. Right out of the box I updated the firmware to 2.00.7 and have had no issues. It probably legitimately has about a 2 week's worth of actual use on it so it's still basically brand new.

Within the last week or so I noticed I would intermittently lose button functionality but maintain pitch, roll and yaw just fine. Any malfunction must have been very temporary because I never noticed any issues manifested by changing LEDs.
That was until today (December 17, 2020) when the black box started having a blinking red light in the #2 position. This would happen for a moment, then things would go back to normal. Until it didn't and the blinking remained. I did some searching around the forums and here's what I've done before posting here

1) Removed the grip and cleaned the base contacts with alcohol, reinstalled grip.
2) Flashed the 2.00.7 firmware and reset the flight stick to the default settings using the VKBDevCfg-C and ZBootloader-C programs
3) Ran the VKB_JoyTester program to confirm X/Y axis is still registering, and that but buttons are not registering and I've no twist (aka yaw) any more
4) Disconnected and reconnected all cables to make sure everything is securely connected and not lose, and, tried other USB ports where possible.
5) I normally play Elite Dangerous, so I tried setting buttons and testing flight controls in a different game (IL-2 Sturmovik) and have the same issues. Cannot map any buttons, no yaw, only pit/roll (x/y) axis works.
6) In the VKB Device Config software, on the Tools tab, and Test sub-tab, you can log joystick button strokes to see their functionality. I operated all the buttons (every button on this grip) and nothing registered. You can also see your keyboard keystrokes - those registered just fine.

Other things to note:
- The SYS light on the left side of the BlackBox is blue, and remains on.
- The blinking red light on the right side of the BlackBox in the #2 position remains blinking whether or not the grip is connected to the base.
- The LEDs on the grip will light up when first connected, but immediately turhn off.

Some photos since I think people may ask for them:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/n3w4uH87tLzevBoD8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EmzoMuB24rRbM7PY6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/MWY9vveKZgtBoEHS9

Thoughts?

[fallout9]

Hi Alex,
Sorry to hear about your issue. Would you be able to run a test, as described here? For this, you'd have to disable the USART#2, remove the grip from base, take off the half shell of the grip, disconnect the 3 wires cable from the grip (the one marked in picture below), install the half grip on the base, connect it to USB and short the pins as described in the other post.

[Serialk1llr]

I should be able to give this a shot. Got any reference videos on how to split the grip apart? Would hate to break something inadvertently.

[fallout9]

Sure! (just follow up to second 48)

[Serialk1llr]

Hey Fallout9, I was able to perform all the tests as requested - here's what I did:

1) Disabled the USART port#2 as described using the VKB Dev Config software.

2) I was able to successfully close the loop for the black and yellow pin, causing the red square shown in VKB Dev Config for USART #2 for the grip to change from red to white/gray.

3) I was able to successfully short the black and red pins and cause the BlackBox to disconnect, and prompt the windows disconnect/reconnect sound.

[fallout9]

Alright, let's wait for Ron's expertise now please.

[Ron61]

Well, since the square goes out and the Leds light up when the handle is installed, then one can indirectly judge the integrity and functioning of the stock/grip contact pair and their stubs.
So you need to look at the settings and communication in the configurator. Show tabs Global-External, Global-External-Leds, Test-External Devices.

[Serialk1llr]

Okay, so I reassembled the grip and reinstalled it onto the base. I also set the USART #2 back to Master in the VKB Device Config software. I believe I found where you directed me to in the VKB Device Config software and have included the below image - looks like a communication error maybe? I'll be honest, I'm not really sure what exactly I'm doing at this point.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dtnSTwykXX3B3Me2A

I will note that the blinking red light is gone now, but still only have x and y axis controls, no twist or button function (confirmed in JoyTester) as well as no lights whatsoever on the grip itself while installed on the base beyond the initial blip when the contacts first touched during installation.

[Serialk1llr]

Any guidance here? Create a ticket?

[Ron61]

Can you first reread my post and show screenshots of the requested tabs?

[Serialk1llr]

Hey Ron61 - I think these are what you're looking for. If not, show me a picture of what you're looking for and I'll try and match it up with what I can find on my end.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PqnaoGBfdzo5Btuq9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vc1DP1GpuGEKnHqbA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uyxDbEhXmrZGTEWQ6

[Ron61]

Add the lines to the zconfig.ini file as in the picture. And show screenshots again.

[Serialk1llr]

inserted the text as requested and saved file. Ran the VKB Device Config software, here's what I saw:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/goMmyhd22o2DzKw48

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Utm54etjpJ83sgvr5

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XDjfZiMo5FEHsfej6

[Ron61]

After reading your first post in the topic, I suddenly realized where the error is. Do you have an SCG Premium and are trying to get it to work on firmware for another MCG? It is futile.
Choose the correct firmware and all problems disappear, I hope. For black BB, you need to select the firmware with the letters MK2 in the name. For orange - without these letters.

[Serialk1llr]

_BlackBox_MK2_GF_SCG_ is the firmware version I originally flashed when first getting the controller, and when updating after these problems started, I flashed _BlackBox_MK2_GF_SCG_v2_00_7.vkb specifically, hoping I just may have needed a firmware update. For a few weeks I was flying fine without issue with the original _BlackBox_MK2_GF_SCG_ firmware I first used.