Wii Classic Controller Pro b button not working

[marurun]

OK, turned up with an odd problem today. Every bit of the classic controller pro works except the b button. It feels mechanically identical to the others when pressed, but for some reason it isn't reading. Sometimes, though, when starting a VC game, there will be a phantom b input at the earliest moment of controller input and then nothing.

I'm kind thinking there might be a little short in there somewhere, but I don't have a precision tri-wing screwdriver to get in there and sort it out. I know somewhere locally to get replacement controllers for $10, but dammit, I bought this one new and want it to work again : )

[Cronozilla]

You gotta open it up, then. Chances are it could be either a contact issue (metal on the b-button area) or the button hat could be funked up, and that's a simple fix you just re-seat it.

Those are the only things I could think of, really.

Triwing screw drivers are, also, cheaper than $10, so there's that.

[CRTGAMER]

Agree, a good investment in that screwdriver, bound to be other repairs and cleaning you might have to do in the future such as game carts. Very likely something interfering with the button not making contact with the pad and also causing the phantom contact. Best to take it apart, clean the button underneath and PCB button pad.

Talk about coincidence, I just resurrected my wife's mouse with a bit of alcohol drenched in the sealed very small micro switch located on the PCB. Turned the Mouse PCB upside down to drip it off along with any sludge that might have been inside. A hairdryer for a few minutes evaporated any alcohol that might have remained. Don't do the drip on the contact method unless you take it apart though. Only way to get it dry afterwards.

[marurun]

Well, with this forums encouragement, I went out to the local Microcenter and paid $2.99 for a tri-wing precision screwdriver. I just opened up the controller, applied some of my trusty 94% rubbing alcohol to the button pads and rubber contact points with a Q-tip, and then let it air dry (at 94% it doesn't take long AT ALL). Put it all back together, and I have my b button back.

$2.99 + $.26 tax + gas + a little time and elbow grease and my Classic Pro is back up and running.

Do still think I prefer the GC controller for N64 games, though.

[CRTGAMER]

Well, with this forums encouragement, I went out to the local Microcenter and paid $2.99 for a tri-wing precision screwdriver. I just opened up the controller, applied some of my trusty 94% rubbing alcohol to the button pads and rubber contact points with a Q-tip, and then let it air dry (at 94% it doesn't take long AT ALL). Put it all back together, and I have my b button back.

$2.99 + $.26 tax + gas + a little time and elbow grease and my Classic Pro is back up and running.

Do still think I prefer the GC controller for N64 games, though.

Congrats! Now you can go thru some older game carts as well such as GBA and NES. Maybe look into the Mayflash Classic Controller adapter for a Playstation Dual Shock option.