2 replies to this topic

[pdmarsh5466]

I had to replace the backup battery holder on my Williams Rollergames pinball machine, which required the removal of the CPU board.  After getting it all back together, the machine started up normally and I did a factory reset.  However, when I attempted to start a game I got a "Pinball missing" error.  I ultimately traced this to an issue with a single column in the row/column switch matrix.  When tested, none of the five switches associated with this column register.  Other switches around the board register just fine.  If I manually trigger the five switches by shorting the row/column pins directly on the CPU board, they do register as if the switches themselves has been pressed.  I tested wire continuity from each of these switches all the way back to the common female socket of the connector that would plug into the CPU and get proper connectivity.  Internet searches based on these results point to a board level problem, perhaps a bad transistor or something else having to do with row/column scanning.  This is beyond my ability to troubleshoot, I believe.

 

I thought I would run this by the forum for any suggestions before giving up.  Perhaps there is more troubleshooting I can do and maybe even attempt a board level repair.

 

Specifically, the affected switches are outhole, ball trough 1, 2 and 3 and ball popper.  These are on column 2 of the switch matrix, connector J8 pin 2.

 

I'll look forward to any input.

 

Thank you,

Paul

[Tesla]

 

If I manually trigger the five switches by shorting the row/column pins directly on the CPU board, they do register as if the switches themselves has been pressed. 

 

I tested wire continuity from each of these switches all the way back to the common female socket of the connector that would plug into the CPU and get proper connectivity.  

 

 

As long as it was done properly ...

 

If you are saying you ohm-tested the switches themselves, and also ohm-tested the via-runs of the switches being connected to the circuit ... and it all passed ... good troubleshooting so far.

But that is just the obvious/easy-stuff.

 

Board-Level repair requires some expertise. The hard part is fixing boards without making it worse or destroying it.

 

Personally, I might reach-out to a professional. Additionally, I think there are other forums that cater more to people that own physical arcade pinball machines (and their maintenance, etc.).

Edited by Tesla, Today, 03:28 PM.

[pdmarsh5466]

Thank you for your response.  I am pretty much at the limit of my abilities, so I will have to have a pro look at things.

 

I appreciate your pointing out the nature of this forum.  I did not pay enough attention before joining and posting, but it's been helpful nonetheless.

 

Sincerely,

Paul