Suncom TAC-2 joystick problems

[Flimbo]

I picked up a Suncom TAC 2 joystick in a job lot of Atari joysticks for dirt cheap a few months ago. I was initially over the moon because I have seen this joystick, supposedly the best 9 pin, sell for £50 on ebay and the likes and had had my heart set on one for probably 30 years . Although the joystick works, it is temperamental, with occasionally non responsive fire buttons and stick. I have opened it up and everything appears to be connected, with no loose wires or fittings. I am happy happy to admit that I am inexperienced in fixing hardware such as this, and am hoping that the community can maybe give me some pointers on what I can do to get this joystick working properly again.

[ChrisUnionNJ]

Check this out..


[ Show youtube player ]

[Flimbo]

Cheers for the link, Chris. I was hoping it was just the metal connections and thought I might get away with cleaning them but if it is the cable, I will have to source one.

[Flimbo]

This website covers some repairs and maintenance for the Tac-2 and also includes an interesting section on the differences between the USA model and the cheaper Chinese model.

https://haxor.fi/the-legendary-suncom-tac-2/

[nikosidis]

I had to change the cable on mine. It is probably that. The stick is very solid.

[bni]

On mine oxide on the metal contact surfaces was the problem.

Cleaned them with cottons swab with chemically pure petrol and that fixed the problem.

This is probably needed again in a few years.

[Flimbo]

Originally Posted by nikosidis

I had to change the cable on mine. It is probably that. The stick is very solid.

You couldn't point me in the direction of a store that sells these cables please? I have no idea what I am even looking for.

Originally Posted by bni

On mine oxide on the metal contact surfaces was the problem.

Cleaned them with cottons swab with chemically pure petrol and that fixed the problem.

This is probably needed again in a few years.

I will try this first irrespective of changing the cable. This joystick is definitely worth the effort.

[btp]

Most probably the cable is broken at some point and occasionally makes bad contact. This happens usually near the DB9 connector or where the cable joins with the joystick's base. Next time a button becomes unresponsive try wiggling your cable around to see if it helps things.

[Jope]

The fire buttons were a source of problems even when these sticks were new. A guy who worked at the Finnish importer told me that they just pressed hard on the buttons with their thumbs, twisted the button around a bit and service completed, the buttons worked until they oxidized again.

[Flimbo]

Originally Posted by btp

Most probably the cable is broken at some point and occasionally makes bad contact. This happens usually near the DB9 connector or where the cable joins with the joystick's base. Next time a button becomes unresponsive try wiggling your cable around to see if it helps things.

Are the DB9 cables all the same in terms of wiring?

[Flimbo]

Originally Posted by Jope

The fire buttons were a source of problems even when these sticks were new. A guy who worked at the Finnish importer told me that they just pressed hard on the buttons with their thumbs, twisted the button around a bit and service completed, the buttons worked until they oxidized again.

Crazy to think how celebrated this stick is even today. I need to purchase some contact cleaner.

[nikosidis]

Originally Posted by Flimbo

Are the DB9 cables all the same in terms of wiring?

No, they are not. Use a multimeter to check when you get a new cable.

[Flimbo]

Originally Posted by nikosidis

No, they are not. Use a multimeter to check when you get a new cable.

Will do, thanks for the advice.