Hacking Broken joycon pin 10

[jaredmccoy]

So I was trying to use a RCM jig to get into RCM mode and can't get it to work. Then I look and realize that the little 10 pin board on the joycon rail of the switch is not there. I confirmed by plugging in the joycon. It doesn't "click" the same and the switch doesn't recognize it as connected and charge. Basically I f$%#ed up my switch. It's ok b/c I have the Best Buy warranty on it. But I don't want to lose all of my save data (the reason I was trying to hack it in the first place as I don't care about playing pirated games. I was just trying to get my PC Stardew Valley save data onto my switch so I can continue my game).

Any recommendations?

I guess I can get a joycon charging station and keep them charged and continue to play until September when the online service launches and then I can back up my cloud saves. And THEN return it to best buy under the warranty.

I'm pissed/bummed at myself at the moment though.

 

[jaredmccoy]

Upon further inspection I believe that pins 8,9,10 are gone on the switch.

 

[Soluble]

On the rail? Buy a new rail. They cost bugger all.

Here we go:
https://m.ebay.com.au/itm/Replaceme...able-for-Nintendo-Switch-Console/292566304179

 

[bodefuceta]

How did this happen?

 

[jaredmccoy]

How did this happen?

Shoving the RCM jig all the way in and it bent/broke the 10 pin connection. On retrospect I should have pushed the wire into place and gently pushed it in until just the wire touched. I used brute force instead of finesse.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

On the rail? Buy a new rail. They cost bugger all.

Yes this part. Is it a complicated fix taking everything apart to get the ribbon cable reconnected? It looks like the rail is just 5 very small screws but that cable must attach inside the switch someplace.

 

[ExploitJunkie]

Shoving the RCM jig all the way in and it bent/broke the 10 pin connection. On retrospect I should have pushed the wire into place and gently pushed it in until just the wire touched. I used brute force instead of finesse.

Yes this part. Is it a complicated fix taking everything apart to get the ribbon cable reconnected? It looks like the rail is just 5 very small screws but that cable must attach inside the switch someplace.

Just don't.... Considering your patience that got you into this mess in the first place do yourself a favor and just don't. Return your Switch and buy a 3d printed jig (like $2-$3 bucks), and when you get your new switch slowly place it in and check it. Then tweak if necessary. Your 3d jig might not be perfect but a lot better than shoving blunt objects against soft metal contacts.

 

[OblivionReign]

Shoving the RCM jig all the way in and it bent/broke the 10 pin connection. On retrospect I should have pushed the wire into place and gently pushed it in until just the wire touched. I used brute force instead of finesse.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------



Yes this part. Is it a complicated fix taking everything apart to get the ribbon cable reconnected? It looks like the rail is just 5 very small screws but that cable must attach inside the switch someplace.

Also even though the switch does recognize it it will still charge the controller and still be used docked or seperate

 

[Nincompoopdo]

The aluminium foil method is still the safest and easiest, why aren't more people using that?

 

[jaredmccoy]

Also even though the switch does recognize it it will still charge the controller and still be used docked or seperate

Aw you're right it does charge!!! I saw the switch sensing it as disconnected and didn't think it was charging. So I can either replace the rail or wait until September and back up my saves and then warrant it out. But the fact that it does indeed charge the right joycon makes me not in as much of a rush.

 

[RHOPKINS13]

Buy a new rail, then use Checkpoint and you can backup your saves.

Install AutoRCM to save wear and tear on your pins.

 

[Kubas_inko]

The aluminium foil method is still the safest and easiest, why aren't more people using that?

How? You can short everything. Safest is modding joy-con it self (soldering wire from pin to pin).

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Buy a new rail, then use Checkpoint and you can backup your saves.

Install AutoRCM to save wear and tear on your pins.

Don't use autorcm as it boots after like 15 sec to RCM and drains your battery.
Just add button into your joy-con. Easy as pie.

 

[MasterJ360]

Any jig requiring force is poorly made and there are a ton of bad ones being sold on Ebay/Amazon. But yeah replacement rails are cheap and easy to install

 

[jaredmccoy]

Update: I just replaced the rail a few minutes ago and everything is working perfectly. Wasn't hard except for getting the ribbon cable for the rail back into it's slot. There was no plastic piece at the end, just the actual ribbon cable. So that took several tries.

Once I had the broken rail to look at to see how the wires from the jig need to connect and I was able to get my switch into RCM mode. However, the directions I'm following had you upload a file via a webpage and it still doesn't show my switch. However, I see it in my device manager as APX so I suspect I had it in RCM mode before and just didn't realize.

So everything is working correctly and I just need to try a different method to run the files. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[jaredmccoy]

2nd update: So windows wouldn't let me connect to the switch to deliver the payload file the way I was trying. I was able to do it with my android phone no problem on first try and after some messing around was able to load my pc game save onto my switch and the switch version of the game runs it well so far. All in all not a bad learning experience. My original objective is accomplished and I have a repaired rail working just fine.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

So I was trying to use a RCM jig to get into RCM mode and can't get it to work. Then I look and realize that the little 10 pin board on the joycon rail of the switch is not there. I confirmed by plugging in the joycon. It doesn't "click" the same and the switch doesn't recognize it as connected and charge. Basically I f$%#ed up my switch. It's ok b/c I have the Best Buy warranty on it. But I don't want to lose all of my save data (the reason I was trying to hack it in the first place as I don't care about playing pirated games. I was just trying to get my PC Stardew Valley save data onto my switch so I can continue my game).

Any recommendations?

I guess I can get a joycon charging station and keep them charged and continue to play until September when the online service launches and then I can back up my cloud saves. And THEN return it to best buy under the warranty.

I'm pissed/bummed at myself at the moment though.

What kind of jig was it, a paperclip based one? Those can damage the Switch.

The aluminium foil method is still the safest and easiest, why aren't more people using that?

Because you can easily bridge pins that shouldn't be bridged like pin 4 to anything else. And you can get foil stuck down there by accident.

 

[Naked_Snake]

This happened to me I replaced the rail “Switch side” that ribbon cable was a fucking cunt.......anyway the new rail works fine

 

[Shaqattack101]

Update: I just replaced the rail a few minutes ago and everything is working perfectly. Wasn't hard except for getting the ribbon cable for the rail back into it's slot. There was no plastic piece at the end, just the actual ribbon cable. So that took several tries.

Once I had the broken rail to look at to see how the wires from the jig need to connect and I was able to get my switch into RCM mode. However, the directions I'm following had you upload a file via a webpage and it still doesn't show my switch. However, I see it in my device manager as APX so I suspect I had it in RCM mode before and just didn't realize.

So everything is working correctly and I just need to try a different method to run the files. Thanks for everyone's help!

Hey,
where did you order the new rail that it was delivered so fast to you? I only can find rails from China which takes weeks to germany.

 

[Deleted User]

The aluminium foil method is still the safest and easiest, why aren't more people using that?

Yes and no. Short out pin 4, absolutely dangerous. Is it good for not damaging pins? Yes. I use aluminium foil, as long as the piece is small, and thin, but sticks, then there is nothing to worry about. Especially if you PAY ATTENTION. So I agree with you, it's the morons that get caught in the danger part.

 

[Moe87]

2nd update: So windows wouldn't let me connect to the switch to deliver the payload file the way I was trying. I was able to do it with my android phone no problem on first try and after some messing around was able to load my pc game save onto my switch and the switch version of the game runs it well so far. All in all not a bad learning experience. My original objective is accomplished and I have a repaired rail working just fine.

I'm wonder about what kind of jigs are you using? You don't mind to share a picture of jigs?

If you need good jigs so you can contact @gamesquest1 and ask him if you are interested.

What kind of jig was it, a paperclip based one? Those can damage the Switch.

Because you can easily bridge pins that shouldn't be bridged like pin 4 to anything else. And you can get foil stuck down there by accident.

I'm wonder about this too and if it was paperclip, it would be obvious and I was told that paperclip could destroy the Switch rail pins easily.

 

[Deleted User]

What kind of jig was it, a paperclip based one? Those can damage the Switch.

Because you can easily bridge pins that shouldn't be bridged like pin 4 to anything else. And you can get foil stuck down there by accident.

easy fix for foil getting stuck, get a small flat head screw driver, and fish it out. and as long as the the piece of foil is at the bottom left, (when looking at the right joycon itself from the side) then your good. (also assuming you made it thin enough in width)