The controller is an Xbox One Elite controller model 1968, and was sent for a check on the D-Pad as the down button was misbehaving. Before accepting the order, I explained to the customer that it might be the conductive metal dome film that sit between the plast d-pad and the conductive carbon trails in the motherboard. These are sold easily and can be replaced after controller disassembly. I also agreed to clean the controller.
The controller came in its case and disassembly was undertaken enough to be able to see the metal dome pad for visual inspection
Visual inspection didn’t show anything specially wrong. The domes click well and there doesn’t appear to be any clear degradation. I then contacted the customer who agreed to press ahead nevertheless
Further disassembly was required to free up the PCB where the buttons are located. Apart from various screws and ribbon cables, a few wires (from the mottos and triggers) need to be desoldered.
Replacement of the film requires peeling off the old one and replacing with the new one. I initially cleaned the surroundings of the carbon pads in the PCB as those carbon traces can be sensitive. However upon reassembly and test, there was no improvement or actually slightly worse as other D-pad buttons seemed to show the same behaviour. I then disassembled again and decided to use some white paper across the carbon traces under the domes, the idea being very fine sanding to ensure that conductivity of the carbon traces was restored if at all possible. I used a new film for this as I felt that once remove, the film had to be discarded.
Upon reassembly and testing again, the D-pad seemed to be work much better, although there is still some light clicks which doesn’t seem to register all the time. There could still be further improvement by sanding the carbon traces further, but going too far is dangerous as well so I left it as it is.
Finally I did some cleaning and final reassembly. Note that I preserved the sticker under the battery as there is a screw under it. It still appears like nobody has been in there 😊
