Mission: Fix Wiimote. Result: Failure.

Posted by Erik W on Jan 7, 2010 10:41 PM

One of my Wii Remotes recently broke. Not totally broke... you could still point with it and press the buttons, but it didn't measure tilt/movement anymore. Probably as a result of it being the output of frustration from playing the New Super Mario Brothers.

The first hurdle was opening the damn thing. It utilizes four tri-wing screws. This is a very difficult screwdriver to find in a store. Not even the huge Ace Hardware or True Value stores nearby had one. Luckily, we have the internet. I bought this amazing Video Console Screwdriver Set off of amazon, which comes with 12 screwdrivers to hack your way through your Wii/Xbox/PS3.

Once you get the screwdriver, I would suggest not opening it on the couch. I figured everything was snapped together inside, but as soon as I unscrewed the Wii Remote, all the buttons fell out into my lap/couch. All the pieces you see in the photo above just fell out.

Much to my dismay, I saw the Wii Remote contained all Surface Mounted components. I was really hoping there was a wire or loose connection I could simply re-solder.

Luckily putting it back together was a snap. I'm fairly certain Wii Remotes are assembled by hand. All the buttons have special notches in them so they can only go back into the case one and only one way. There is no way to get the button upside down, and no way to get two buttons mixed up. Pretty well thought out if you ask me.

Anyway, I ended up just buying a used Wii Remote at Gamestop. Last one in a 60 mile radius, I swear. I stopped at several Best Buys and other Gamestops before I got to the one downtown that had a single one left.

Still haven't gotten past the 7th world...

listed in: electronics, repair, wii