Thruster joystick controller gone bad on 2018 Cutwater C302

[Jclima]

Looks like I’m joining the club of failed Gen1 joystick controller. I’m trying to get some advice on best course of action that does not break the bank or requires taking the whole side console apart.

1. Is there any hope in finding a replacement Gen 1 Lewmar joystick for sale? I don’t have a stern thruster any longer so I’m guessing I could use part number 589004 (failed part I have now) or 589004 (single joystick).
2. Is I buy a gen2 joystick, is it easy enough to install the converter box through the hole so I don’t have to take the whole side console apart?
3. Are there any other options or generic joysticks I can replace it with? Lewmar makes one (589094) that looks similar to the Gen1 controller but has a different connector. It is unclear if I can just replace the connector and it would work.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Mastercraft]

How do you know it is the joystick? If joystick is bad, then remote should work. My stern thruster did not work in port direction due to a corroded connector at the thruster motor. This was determined quickly because joystick and remote both did not work.

 

[Jclima]

How do you know it is the joystick? If joystick is bad, then remote should work. My stern thruster did not work in port direction due to a corroded connector at the thruster motor. This was determined quickly because joystick and remote both did not work.

The RF remote works fine. Joystick is actually making the thruster erratic and go off by itself. Problem goes away when you unplug it. Also already replaced the solenoid to rule it out.

 

[Submariner]

The RF remote works fine. Joystick is actually making the thruster erratic and go off by itself. Problem goes away when you unplug it. Also already replaced the solenoid to rule it out.

It's crazy to me that the solenoid is 1/2 the cost of the joystick. My thruster only goes one direction. I bought the solenoid hoping that's it. Will know in a week when I swap it out.

The funny part... I took my boat in to the Yamaha dealer for the 1,000 hour engine maintenance. They ran the boat and noted my bow thruster only worked in one direction. They asked if I wanted them to fix it. I declined, as I'll fix it myself; but thanked them for finding it. Ha!