Repair a wandering PSP analog joystick

There are plenty of places showing how to fix wandering analog PSP joysticks. Most of these repairs involve buying a replacement joystick.   I found using some isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol 90%+) and a lot of squinting, you maybe able to repair your joystick without purchasing a replacment.  (And who really wants to wait for the shipping anyway!)

You will need:
Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ (rubbing alcohol)
Qtips
Petroleum jelly (optional)
Toothpick (optional)
Disassembled PSP (can be found elsewhere)
Nerves of steel.

Step 1 Analog joystick removal

Prestep 1:  Remove the 5 screws (4 black screws - 1 silver screw on the side) that hold the PSP faceplate on.  You can find videos of this on youtube, or other instructables. 

Prestep 2: Flip the faceplate over and remove the two silver screws that retain the analog joystick.   Remove the joystick from the faceplate.  Be careful not to lose the cap.

Step 1:   Flip the joystick upside down, and gently pry the silver metal plate tabs on the side.  You will remove it to find the PCB as in the picture.

Comments

[zack247]

well thats interesting, my 1000 had a different circuit board and one white and one black slider bar piece instead of two black ones...

[berriferous]

Hi Zack,

This was my friends PSP. I can't recall if he said he had attempted to change the joystick before or not. In other words, it could be an aftermarket joystick. It is also possible that Sony had different lots of parts depending the time it was built. I work with electronics vendors, and it is not uncommon to change parts if the OEM can save money. Did your joystick look essentially the same?

-Greg