PS3 controller triggers

NSUK

Pi Model: 3B
Power Supply: Official
RetroPie Version Used 4.2.18
Built From: Pre-made
Controller used: Official PS3

My PS3 controller works perfectly via USB and Bluetooth with the exception of the L2 and R2 trigger buttons. They're definitely not broken (tested in Windows) but using the included ps3controller drivers it's like they're not there - even jstest and evtest report no feedback from them.

NSUK

So to eliminate some variables I've removed the ps3controller / sixad package and am using a USB cable.

Running jstest I can see the triggers now show up as axis 12 and 13, swinging from minus to plus. There's no button registered on a full press but I'm amusing this is just how the controller's been designed?

Thinking I was onto a winner, to \configs\all\emulationstation\es_temporaryinput.cfg I added:

<input name="lefttrigger" type="axis" id="12" value="1" />
<input name="righttrigger" type="axis" id="13" value="1" />

And to \configs\all\retroarch\autoconfig\Sony PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller.cfg I added:

input_l2_axis = "+12"
input_r2_axis = "+13"

But unfortunately to no avail. L2 as +12 and R2 as +13 show up in RetroArch's INPUT USER 1 BINDS but neither work in-game.

Does anyone have any ideas or is someone with a similar setup willing to help me troubleshoot?

edmaul69

@nsuk not sure why they arent working at all for you, but yeah they are analog buttons so you get different readings. But in /opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch/autoconfig you should see 2 playstation configs. One starts with the word playstation and one starts with sony playstation. One is for bluetooth and one is for wired. In both of them, replace or add if they arent there,

input_r2_btn = "9"
input_l2_btn = "8"

That should make them work in all the retroarch emulators.

NSUK

@edmaul69 Thanks for your reply.

I re-installed the sixad package and added button 8 and 9 as above to the configs (Sony PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller.cfg = USB, PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller.cfg = Bluetooth) but still no luck unfortunately.

In jstest I can see that button 8 and 9 are constantly in an on state for my controller, is this the case with yours too?

edmaul69

@nsuk 8 and 9 are not stuck on. You need to open your controller and use isopropyl alcohol to clean the metal contact and the rubber pad. And rub the rubber pad hard enough to get it clean. If that doesnt fix it your controller is defective. I say dirty since it is really easy to get crap in the triggers.

Xeon

nsuk said

My PS3 controller works perfectly via USB and Bluetooth with the exception of the L2 and R2 trigger buttons. They're definitely not broken (tested in Windows)
They're definitely not broken (tested in Windows)
They're definitely not broken (tested in Windows)
They're definitely not broken (tested in Windows)
They're definitely not broken (tested in Windows)

NSUK

@edmaul69 you're an absolute hero! I opened it up and everything was immaculate so I have to admit to being doubtful but I re-seated the triggers and voilà, 8 and 9 have started registering.

Thank you very, very much!

@Xeon What I saw was ScpToolkit in Windows registering the axis (it turns out sixad doesn't take note of this) but it would seem there's also a button function for each trigger that for some reason wasn't being picked up before I took everything apart.

Xeon

@nsuk ok so you made me look like a jackass thanks.