PS2 Dualshock 2 controller cutting out randomly when playing.

Okay,so I have this strange problem that occurs on my PS2. Any time,regardless of what game it is in (I had this happen on Ford Racing 3,and Crazy Taxi as well) the controller will simply stop responding and pause the game with the "Insert a DS1/DS2 controller in port 1 and press START". This not only does affect the game - resetting the PS2 into the main menu (the Browser/System Configuration screen) doesn't do anything,not even there the controller will work. I have to let it sit about 4 hours (I checked,last time this happened it was 14:00PM and it started working again at about 18:00PM - I was bored so much that I needed to play some PS2 and then remembered the controller cut out. I still tried and it was working again).

So practically,the controller will cut out at random times. I know the controller is good because I also tried it on my semi-broken softmodded PS2 (I have two separate memory cards - one for my fat PS2 and one for my slim PS2) and on the slim PS2,through USBAdvance (I had better luck with this than OPL and PS2ESDL because unlike those I don't have to defragment my USB drive every time I want to install a game on the pendrive),the controller will work perfectly and won't cut out like on the fat console.

Some info about both consoles:

FAT - SCPH-50004 v9 Satin Silver,unknown modchip (it's a green PCB but it's rectangular and it's about the size of a pendrive - it's not a Modbo,nor a Matrix Infinity,nor DMS - there's no configuration menu or boot logo at all - the only giveaway this machine is chipped is that booting Lenschanger will show a black Playstation 2 logo instead of white),HD7 laser

SLIM - SCPH-77004b v15 - softmodded with FMCB v1.94,PVR-802W laser (defunct,ribbon cable for it is broken somehow)

 

Could the cord be pinched anywhere? Connector not making proper contact? Tried moving it while playing with buttons to see if it cuts in and out?

 

Tried moving as well,and it will still work. No matter if I move it or not,it will cut out at random times and the above problem arises. And cord isn't pinched anywhere,I checked that as well.

 

Any ideas? It's the only DS2 I have. I disassembled it and assembled it back thinking the cord could be pinched there,but it was in perfect shape. I'm out of ideas to what can it be. Could it be the PCB that controls the MC and controller? I have another one from a v7 if so,which is in good shape,save for some dust.

 

I've had this happen with NES controllers a few times. In my case it was corrosion on the connectors.

Fixed it with some WD-40 Specialist. Spray some on both the contacts of the controller and the connector on the console, then plug the controller into the console - maybe plug it in and out a few times to create friction, loosen the corrosive layer, and get the contact cleaner deep inside the console's controller port - and let it sit for a while. Repeat a few times if it's still not working.

Also check the power connector for corrosion, especially on the console's side. I've had some consoles with corrosion on the power connector do really strange things you would not expect to be related to that part of the console.

PS Don't use regular WD-40. Go for the Specialist version, or any other good contact spray designed for electronics.

 

...what can I use other than WD-40? I can't even find it where I live.

Maybe I'll try another MC/controller PCB (this one that the console came with is in very bad shape - protective plastic parts from the controller port 1 were ripped off,so only the pins remain...) and see if it works. As for the power button it's fine. This console hasn't been stored in a place where corrosion would be produced (so not a humid environment). Maybe it happened because I got it on a rainy day? The console was pretty wet (the guy I've got the console from tried his best to protect it from rain but nevertheless it was still wet) so maybe that may have corroded the exposed pins.

I have some pictures of the pins in question and of the other MC/Controller assembly,they're in quite bad quality. I'll post them,maybe someone can see the pins. (I did)

EDIT:Added the pics.

 

Well yeah, I'm pretty sure replacing the controller ports on the console will do the trick on this one... lol

As for the contact spray. I got mine from a local car accessories shop called Auto 5. But that's in Belgium.

You could try checking similar shops where you live. Or Radio Shack. Or online...

Just make sure it's the kind you can use on PCBs and small electronics that doesn't leave residue.

 

Yeah,apparently replacing the ports did the trick. I could play FR3 and NFS:Most Wanted without the controller cutting at all.

 

WD-40 isn't a cleaner and it stinks

 

Hence why I said to use WD-40 Specialist or a similar PCB / electronics / contact cleaner.

Regular WD-40 works wonders for squeaky door hinges though...