Faulty Saitek x52 controller?

I have the x52 controller (saitek) and the LEDs on the joystick are going dull and flickering from dull to (normal LED brightness). The throttler controller LEDs remain bright and do not do this. At the same time, the hatview UP does not work at times (if viewing outside of the aircraft and rotating around the aircraft, I can rotate every direction except for upwards) I have to hit it a few times to get it to finally work.

I am going to assume this is a faulty joystick but wanted to ask before I contacted TigerDirect.com about this, if anyone experiences this or if this is "normal"?

Mines does this sometimes...check your s-cable to your throttle. It may have backed off a bit. But the controls should be fine.