PC Engine GT: Start and select almost stopped working :(

[ltpitt]

Hi all!

I have sent my Pc Engine GT for a full recap (also on the pad) and for a bit everything was great.
Now my select and start are really not working well (you need to hammer on it several times).

I would like to go for a fix, I'd love a permanent one.

I'd start with a simple clean but I wante to ask for suggestions before making a mess.

If the clean fails do you guys this that it is possible to achieve a mod with this buttons:
https://www.adafruit.com/products/3101

[Keith Courage]

the problem with the start and select buttons is typically the rubber pads themselves. The best way I found to get these working again is not only to clean them with rubbing alcohol but to actually grab a piece of sandpaper and rub/sand the little contact circles underneath the rubber. I am not talking about sanding the controller board. I am talking about the little tiny black pad circles that actually make the connection to the board. go back and forth on these little black circles maybe 7 to 10 times with some sandpaper and they will start working again. You will need to push the rubber pads in a way that gets the black circle up higher than the rest so you are not sanding the other rubber areas of the buttons.

[ltpitt]

Thanks for the help...

I will try and, worst case scenario, buy new pads.

[Keith Courage]

unfortunately there is no way to buy new pads. typically most people replace pads for Turbo Grafx controllers by using new Nintendo pad replacements. The downfall with this is the start and select buttons are not long enough to stick out the top of the casing. The other pads work perfectly fine.

so if you cannot get the pads to work by sanding them down, you will have to just buy yourself a turbo Grafx/PC engine controller and steal the start and select buttons from it. unless someone else out there knows of a start and select pad replacement that I have not come across yet.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

If it's the contact patch thingy that's worn down and the rubber itself isn't torn, rotting away, etc., you can fix the contact with a dab of conductive paint or a piece of copper foil.

[Vimtoman]

You can buy a carbon compound and adhesive on ebay to repair the buttons.
Have done it myself and works.

[ltpitt]

Hi Vimtoman!

Can you please link the products you bought on Ebay?

Thanks

[ltpitt]

What do you guys think of this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Keypad-Button-Repair-Kit-for-TV-Remote-Controls-Rubber-Buttons-Cordless-Phones-/252443162910?

[Keith Courage]

Just sand the pads. It works and you don't have to buy anything or wait for anything to come in the mail. I have done this on numerous controllers without any ill effects.

[Vimtoman]

Hi Vimtoman!

Can you please link the products you bought on Ebay?

Thanks

It was this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/REMOTE-CONTROL-REPAIR-KIT-CONDUCTIVE-RUBBER-KEYPAD-FIX-TV-DVD-ALARM-FOB-PHONE-/171656481000?hash=item27f78608e8:g:YsgAAOSw44BYCkjZ

You just sand off the old stuff and apply this on and wit for it to dry.

Works really well.

[blueraven]

I've been wondering how to correct this problem on my GT for years. Thank you all for this post.

[ltpitt]

Guys I am totally happy to report that my pc engine gt now feels as brand new.
The repair took 5 dollars, 5 minutes and nothing touched on the original hardware.

I will stress test it for a few weeks and write back results.

[ltpitt]

After a month (almost daily use, Raiden mostly ) the repair is still perfect.

Totally happy