Hey all, have I damaged this xbox 360 controller circuit board beyond repair?

The Pictures

https://imgur.com/a/oum8Yg4

  • The Red circle is the side I managed to fix.
  • The Blue circle is the parts I could not get to bind properly.

The issues and my process

So I had a pair of xbox 360 controller controllers with corroded battery terminal springs. I managed to successfully replace the first controller’s springs, but the second I was having trouble with. The solder would not bind to the pad and it would form a lump that would break off under any pressure.

I consulted the internet and someone mentioned I just needed to crank up the heat. That didn’t work and the binding seemed to get worse, further it looks like it is now burnt all the terminal pad.

The internet then told me to scrap away the surface as it might be residual flux and it should be fine underneath. It still fails to securely bind.

I suspect the corrosion ate so far into the device that the pad itself was too weak to bind. I also suspect I am an idiot.

Is there any saving this?

My Plan should I discover I borked it

360 controllers have additional terminals on the back which I might be able to connect to something instead of the battery pads.

  • MajorTom@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    I can’t tell for sure, but it definitely looks like your pad is gone. If you have an exacto knife you can just gently scrape away the solder mask, find the trace, and solder to the trace.

    • LowQualityGoods@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Thanks, I was worried about trying this, but if it’s my only option I’ll give it a go after I try another clean and resolder.

      • LazaroFilm@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        Basically it’s broken right now. You can try and fix it and it will either work (yay) or not (so just like now) you have nothing to lose. Worst case you tried something new and learned things!!!