PS2 Dual Shock roasted in the sun?

[topper]

I've just picked up Bully PS2 after some months. The buttons on the Dual Shock are really quite unresponsive - more so than I remember them being in the past. Also the analogue stick was behaving oddly - I could barely get the bloke to run where I wanted him to.

(Digression: Man, I get annoyed in these games when trying to fight an enemy behind me. I spend as long locking on as actually fighting!)

Is this likely to be normal wear and tear, or could I have cooked the controller? The console has been in the loft which does get rather hot and sunny at times - yes, even here in the UK.

In edit: Of course, I could try plugging the other, non-roasted controller in and see how it compares.

[fallenangle]

It could well be the heat/age/past heavy use although I'm surprised the sticks are affected. What I've found on many of my busted Dualshocks is that over time the flexible plastic (rubber?) circular contact pads under each buttons seems to become slightly friable or just fails due to stress.

The circular pad may crack, partially, around its base or the conductive coating actually just wears off (same thing can happen to any remote control). It'll still work but feel different, less springy or require harder presses. Eventually it'll prove impossible to use.

I keep all my old Dualshocks and although the internal design has changed several times over the years I've often DIY replaced worn pads. However it does tend to be the same buttons that 'go' every time ie. X, Square and Start so the chances are you won't have a good spare to canibalise.

Afraid to say but it sounds to me like it's time to make Sony richer again

[topper]

Interesting - I'll have a look tonight and see what buttons feel worse. Is there a way to see a worn one just by looking (inside of course)?

[fallenangle]

If you take it apart (at your own risk of course) you shoud find under each button light grey rubberised plastic mats. Their size and shape vary depending whether it's the shoulder buttons, d-pad,, main pad, start, pause etc. Each has a small raised circular 'wart' coated on the contact side with a darker grey conductive material.

When you press the button the springiness you feel is the 'wart' being pushed down to make contact with the points on the circuit board underneath. When released the inherent springiness of the rubberised material returns it to its original shape breaking the contact and pushing the button back into place.

It's tough material but with regular long time heavy use the base of the 'wart' can split due to stress. But I've also had older less used ones go to which I suspected was due to age simply hardening the material (as happens to natural rubber too of course).

If the conductive coating is worn it is usually pretty obvious when you compare it to one that is in good condition.

To see if the 'wart' is split you'll need a magnifying glass to look at the circumference where it joins the base. In all the ones I've had the split has been here around about a third to half the circumference. The button will still work, maybe for some time, but the split will slowly extend until eventually the 'wart' won't spring back into place and the button won't work at all.

BTW when putting the controller back together make sure the pads under the shoulder buttons and the buttons themselves are correctly positioned fully out. It is very easy for the pads to slip or be pushed out of their retaining slots when you're pressing the halves back together again. Check everything works properly before replacing the screws.