I have an issue with my Saitek Rudder pedals and was wondering if anyone could shed some light. The issue started the other day when while plugging in the USB hubs in my simpit I accidently plugged in the opposite power adapters to each hub. I instantly recognized the error and unplugged the adapters and plugged them into their respective hubs. No big deal I thought the hubs are different but since each power adapter fit the other hub (I know tip size doesn't reflect power loads). At this point everything seemed to be working fine (although I hadn't tested it).

I then got sidetracked for the next few hours and came back to fly a couple FC2 flights. That's where I found out the rudder pedals weren't working anymore. My first idea for a fix was to unplug the pedals and plug them back in. When I tried that I got the following message: (along these lines at least)

The USB device has malfunctioned and not working properly. Please click the the message to troubleshoot (or alternatively bang your head against the wall because troubleshooting wont help)

I tried uninstalling on the computer the error started on then tried installing it on my 2nd PC as well laptop which gave me the same message as above.

Does anyone have opinions of what may be the problem? Is it likely my pedals are fried? If anyone has ideas I'll be glad to hear any suggestions. If I did fry it I'm going to be pissed because nothing else in my controller collection (all go thru the same HUB) is working incorrectly, everything works like it should except the rudder pedals.

Thanks for the help!
HHF

When you say "uninstalled" and "installed", do you mean the Saitek driver software?

If you unplug the pedals (and/or HOTAS for that matter) and re-plug them in, if the PC 'sees' them as being connected to a different USB port, sometimes it appears as a new device and does NOT attach the correct driver.

In the past, I have had to completely reinstall Saitek drivers simply because I plugged Saitek gear into a different USB port.

If you're seeing the error on two computers, there is a chance you fried them. However, I can't see how that would cause the issue. Just doesn't make sense.

HH I thought the same thing as I've had that problem too. I tried different ports on the hub, bypassing the hub altogether by plugging into the front PC panel. From there I tried installing it on my 2nd PC (no luck) and then my laptop which has never had any saitek gear installed. At every attempt I keep getting the "USB device has malfunctioned...." message as before. My next plan is to take the pedals apart and see if I can find any visual damage (doubt that will help). I'm really not ready to replace this set, at almost three years old I've never had any issues aside from the one you mentioned (that affects all Saitek gear AFAIK). Maybe this is a sign to get some simpeds or the new Saitek pedals.............. neither of which I have the money for ATM.

Thanks for the help HH, hopefully I can get this figured out still.

EDIT: Panther, my thoughts exactly I find it hard to believe that mixing up the adapters to my USB hubs would selectively fry my rudder pedals, but after testing them on two other isolated machines (PC and laptop) its the only conclusion that I can come to so far.

In any case if anyone has ideas I'm happy to hear them all at this point, once you stop using a twisty stick you never want to go back!

Bump still looking for help! Thanks.

Maybe contact Saitek?

HHF, if I'm reading all of the above correctly, the problem tracks the Saitek Rudder pedals, wherever they are connected. If they won't work on a machine that never had Saitek equipment installed (and prompt you to do the driver installation), then it sounds like you have indeed fried the Saitek Rudder's electronics. That is entirely possible, as one controller could easily be more sensitive to an over-voltage condition than the other controllers on the same hub.

You *might* be able to spot an intuitively obvious problem by opening up the rudder pedals and examining the printed circuit board(s) and connections. Sometimes you get lucky, and a component or connection fails in a visible way.

Other than that, Panther's suggestion may be the best bet. (Or eBay).

If you're handy/adventerous... maybe look at getting one of Leo Bodnar's boards and replacing the Saitek board with it. That would give you additional inputs that you could wire up additional controls to, as well.

Good luck with it.

Panther & Cyberberkut thanks for the advice, I'm going to take them apart and look at them later but I have the same idea you have regarding luck in finding a visible fault. Saitek support is the next route and to be honest I hadn't thougt as far as a Bodnar board, that will likely be the course of action. I didn't mention before that at very least the green light comes on when the pedals are plugged in but that doesn't mean anything other than the light works.

I have a X-Keys 128 input card as well but I don't think it supports axis' (could be wrong).

At very least I have some options, I've modded a few old joysticks into project boxes as well as some HID device controllers. I'm no expert on electronics but I don't fear them anymore the Bodnar route is the likely solution at this point, as my experience with Saitek support has been hit and miss over the years sadly mostly misses! Once again thank you everyone for ideas and suggestions you've all been a huge help!

HHF

Well I took it apart and couldn't find anything that looked out of the ordinary. I guess I'll have to go the route of a Leo Bodnar board. Not a big deal I guess, worst case is I'll have 40 extra inputs (including the 8 way HAT). Pricing isn't that bad I guess either with all you get for the dollar. Thanks again for the help!

HHF

Another alternative would be to recycle the board from an old joystick controller. If you have one that just has cruddy pots, broken buttons, or shot gimbals, etc. the board could be used by wiring the rudder axis pots up to it.