cant get one button to work on my cp...help!

[hulkster]

i have a 2 player cp with a 4 way joystick in the middle.  the button im having trouble with is the one of the buttons on the second player.  the 2p has 7 buttons.  anyway, everything is grounded ALL TOGETHER.  im not using any block or anything, its all grounded to one GRD on the ipac.  all the other buttons work except this one.  anyone got any ideas as to why this one wont?  and im pretty sure its not a config issue, cuz when i try to map the button say in an NES emu, or in Mame, it doesnt work.

[AlanS17]

If you're using a terminal black make sure everything is tight and connected. It's also possible that your IPAC isn't working properly. Wouldn't be the first time an IPAC didn't have every single buton working. I have one with a button that doesn't work.

You can remap one of your other available unused buttons. If that one works then the problem is the IPAC, but you've already fixed it. If that doesn't fix it then at least you have a good IPAC, but your button is probably either busted or not connected properly.

P.S. If you are using quick disconnects make sure the wire was crimped onto it properly.

[hulkster]

yeah im using quick disconnects, and i dont have a terminal block or anything. so i guess ill just replace the NO wire and see if that helps.  if not ill replace the ground and then the whole button...is that a good idea?

[MilitiaMan]

i have a 2 player cp with a 4 way joystick in the middle.  the button im having trouble with is the one of the buttons on the second player.  the 2p has 7 buttons.  anyway, everything is grounded ALL TOGETHER.  im not using any block or anything, its all grounded to one GRD on the ipac.  all the other buttons work except this one.  anyone got any ideas as to why this one wont?  and im pretty sure its not a config issue, cuz when i try to map the button say in an NES emu, or in Mame, it doesnt work.

I had this same problem ... it ended up being a bad microswitch (easily replaced  ). Here are some of the things that I tried to get it working again:

1. Change the microswitch out for one that you know works, or ...

2. Check both ends of the wire to ensure a secure connection. I assume that there is another button mapped to this same spot on your I-Pac -- if that button is working, then it is definitely not your I-Pac, but the button itself or the connection. Or ....

3. Ensure that the button (when pressed) is actually hitting the switch on the micro-switch. Some of the cheaper buttons actually get loose and when you press them they won't depress the switch on the micro-switch. If you have Happ buttons with Cherry switches, this is not likely the case, but it is easy to check, so I recommend it anyway.

Hopefully, it is something easy like this and not a programming issue .... that could be a bit more difficult (though not impossible) to correct.

Good Luck ... Keep us posted.

MM

[hulkster]

thanks dude!  yeah i have a ipac 4...its for upgrades some day  but ill check the microswitch and all that, its just going to suck taking out wires if i have to!

[MilitiaMan]

yeah im using quick disconnects, and i dont have a terminal block or anything. so i guess ill just replace the NO wire and see if that helps.  if not ill replace the ground and then the whole button...is that a good idea?

I would not guess that it would be the ground, unless you ran seperate ground wires to every button.

I assume you did not do this, but instead "daisy-chained" them in which case if that wire was the problem the "chain" would be broken at that button and many of your buttons would not work.

Focus on the NO side first, IMO.

MM

[hulkster]

WOOHOO!  sucess!  thanks for the tips!  im not exactly sure what it was, but i think it might have been the ground.  i checked the wire and it wasnt really connecting all that great, so i replaced that, and also replaced the microswitch as well as the NO wire!  just to make sure.  and now it works.  ah yes, the sweet smell of control panel victory...uh...yeah something like that  thanks guys.