DualSense Edge - Module randomly disconnects/flashes during gameplay after GuliKit TMR installation. Need help troubleshooting
**Background / What I did:**
I recently installed GuliKit TMR joysticks into my DualSense Edge stick modules. Everything went smoothly — both modules were unlocked, calibrated, wire removed, modules reassembled, and reinstalled into the controller. The controller worked perfectly for a couple of days.
**The Problem:**
Mid-session, while actively playing a multiplayer match on PC (after 10-20 minutes) the controller started flashing its lights, the same behavior as when you physically disconnect a stick module. It feels like the controller is temporarily failing to detect one of the modules. The issue is **not constant**: it happened during gameplay, I disconnected a module, popped it back in and the controller worked for several minutes. Failed again, now disconnected the other module, popped it back in and it worked. It gets to a point where not even reconnecting them helps.
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**Important considerations / things I've already noted:**
- This issue started **immediately after the TMR installation** — never happened before on stock modules
- **Both modules are still in UNLOCKED state**. I removed the wire after calibration but never sent the lock command via software. I'm aware this is not the intended state for normal use and the README explicitly says to lock the modules after calibration.
- On one of the modules, the **small solder blob on the test point fell off** at some point. I've inspected and cleaned the PCB with isopropyl alcohol but couldn't confirm where the solder went, it may have been loose inside the module casing.
- The gold contact pins on both modules look brand new — I never touched them during installation.
- The wire used for the unlock was fully removed from both modules before reassembly.
- The metal retention levers are properly lowered and the faceplate clicks into place correctly.
- The TMR solder joints on one module look somewhat rough/balled in some spots, possible cold joints.
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**What I've tried so far:**
Visual inspection of both module PCBs under light
Cleaned both PCBs with isopropyl alcohol to remove flux residue
Confirmed physical seating of both modules (levers down, faceplate clicked)
**What I haven't done yet:**
- Send the NVS **lock command** to both modules (tried this today and for some reason the software fails to lock the modules back up. I soldered the same wire I used to unlock them.)
- Reflow any potentially cold TMR solder joints
- Test each module in isolation to identify which one is causing the issue
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**My main questions:**
Can leaving the modules in **NVS unlocked state** cause intermittent detection failures during gameplay? The controller firmware doing periodic module verification while in an unexpected state seems like it could explain this.
If the loose solder blob from the test point ended up somewhere inside the module, could that cause an intermittent short that manifests as a module disconnect?
Has anyone seen this specific symptom (mid-game module disconnect flash) after a GuliKit TMR install and resolved it?
Any help appreciated. Will update the thread once I send the lock command and test