Joystick - diagonal movement issues

[anthony.cerantonio]

hi all,

Finally everything is running in my cab - ipac 2 wired up and working, MAME looking good on my test rig (laptop)
All I need to do is setup my desktop properly (remove bootscreens etc) then Im good!

My only issue now is that I installed 2 brand new joysticks - I have taken a photo of the joystick top, and then underneath of both of them (if it helps)

Player one joystick doesn't move diagonal very well (eg in street fighter when trying to jump forward / back)
Player two joystick moves fine

Being brand new joysticks, do you think one could be faulty and to just replace it?

Or does it have to be broken in?

Is there anything i can do (tightening the nuts etc) that will help this problem?


Thanking you in advance

[Mike A]

Does the joystick physically bind, or is the software not registering the diagonals?

[anthony.cerantonio]

I'm no expert, but the joystick moves freely so potentially software?

[RandyT]

The default switches on import joysticks aren't the best.  It's possible that one of them is flaky.

The first thing you should do is switch your wiring around, from one stick to the other, and see if the issue follows the wiring or the joystick.  If it's the joystick, then it's probably one or more of the switches that isn't working well.  If you want to try to save the wonky switch, you might be able to open it up and get some contact cleaner in there.  But this isn't for the faint of heart.  Lots of small, spring-loaded parts, which like to pop out of place and take a bit of patience to get back properly.

Also, with this style switch, you can adjust the metal levers.   Again, the lower quality switches may have an actuation point which varies between switches, and adjustment of the lever may be helpful.

[Mike A]

Someone else could probably verbalize it better than me, but when you move the joystick into the corners do both micro switches in each corner engage?

[anthony.cerantonio]

Oh, yep it sounds like they are (can hear the clicking) - Although when you go diagonal it can be hard to get a clean click.

What if I remove the plastic circular plate on the bottom of the stick, do you think that will help?

As for changing the mircroswitches that sounds very fiddly haha, maybe I will try bending the metal parts see if that helps?

Thanks.

[Titchgamer]

The round plate on the bottom is your restrictor plate.

It should only be very easy to remove your microswitches.
Remove the restrictor and they will just pop off.

[anthony.cerantonio]

Took the plate off - fixed the problem - until the microswitches all fell out haha!

I'm thinking maybe a bigger opening should fix the problem - I'll have to figure out how to do that lol

Will go to the local arcade repair guy and see if he has something

[Titchgamer]

You shouldn't need to increase the size of the restrictor plate.
If you do it wont restrict :p

[RandyT]

Although when you go diagonal it can be hard to get a clean click.
.... maybe I will try bending the metal parts see if that helps?

You are on the right track.  Adjust the levers and replace the restrictor.  Should fix your issue.