I think you have the upper flipper strength too high as well. There is a sweet spot where the ball barely gets up the ramp and is not going too fast for the backhand shot as well

If I remember correctly, my upper flipper is set st 20/21. Previously it was too strong and was knocking the flasher cap off!!

Re the issue I was having with the stand up lock target ( constantly going up and down). Fixed it.
The problem stemmed from when I removed the anti air ball cover at the top of the ramp to add the velcro to slow the ball down. Appears the screws were also holding an optic for the ramp. When I replaced the plastic, opto was at a cheeky angle! Rectified and all seems OK now.

Also, I addition to my earlier query. My model No. is 338!
Thanks again to all that helped with my various queries.

How do you find the serial number? Wonder what number mine is.

Open the coin door and it should be on the right inside the cab.

So update on my ACNC issues. Spooky sent me a new computer unit to replace. I went to replace it and the holes on the new backing plate are not big enough for the plastic holders that anchor it to the box. So I tried to take the board off the backing plate by unscrewing the screws, dropped one into the cab, and decided that was a terrible idea since the backing plate has some heat transference material on it and the old one was clearly not mounted well and there was a space in there which is why it probably fried eventually and the new one is nice and tight.

So I just hooked up the new module and set it inside the cab without mounting it. I'll figure something out with nylon tie straps or something but pretty disappointing to be charged for a new unit I really can't install where it goes....

So I got and get the screw I dropped and I found 2 other screws floating around in the cab. This machine has been shedding screws like crazy from day one. I did not start to count until I got to a half-dozen or so, but with these 2 I believe I am solidly in double-digits for finding screws rolling around in the cab or on the playfield.

ANYONE else got a dozen screws that have fallen completely out over the last 2 years?

This is where one of them was - it was actually straddling both connectors when I found it.

ANY chance this what was blowing my 3 amp fast blow fuse in the first place?

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So the new CPU unit works, I think. It came with 1.0 code. Now I don't think that was my guillotine issue tho, but now that that screw is not on those connectors the fuse doesn't blow to the unit. But the chopper is certainly got issues. Any idea what is wrong with it?

Is it possible the screw that fell over the power connectors is from the motor that turns the guillotine gear, which made it look like not being able to return to start position it what was blowing the fuse? Because now the fuse doesn't blow right away and I got this video of what the motor is doing.

I am able to firmly but gently raise the platform up with my fingers and then start the machine and it does this....

https://www.facebook.com/jamey.philipp/videos/5706502292791337

Any ideas?

This is major blow to my enthusiasm for pins and its certainly my last Spooky machine. This thing is like my uncles '72 Cuda - its broke so often people don't recognize it "with the hood down" and operational.

When I got my machine setup out of the box:

1. The spinner did not spin - totally locked up. I fixed it so it spun a bit, but still blocked shots.
2. The spinner did not trigger the micro switch so even if I got it fixed it wasn't going to do anything, so I just yanked it.
3. My skull lights were not hooked up. I did not know the skull lit up until 6 months later seeing a video on here.

Over the first year:
4.
5.I've had to replace the board that controls Frank
6. I've had to replace a few fuses
7. I've had to adjust the upper playfield because balls always got stuck in the secret passage
8. I've had a dozen screws totally fall out and just be rolling around inside the cab and on the playfield. I'm thinking none of them were tightened properly.
9. The magnet at the top of the playfield that catches the ball when starting monster mode is starting to get shredded - I think its too high and each ball launch might be damaging it (just found that today)
10. I've had to replace the main CPU unit
11. I've had to replace a cable
12. I had to replace the optical switch for the lower scoop
13. and now the problem with the guillotine motor/gear

I really don't know if I am qualified to remove the upper playfield to fix something like a motor or gear assembly and when I bought a brand new pin, I did understood there would be maintenance items to do but I did not plan on this much or these items to be as involved as they are. I am thinking I might be able to start a new career as a pin repair man.

Is this the normal status quo for a new pin or do I have some legit gripes here. I am thinking the whole machine needs to be stripped and rebuild, tightening al the screws because some are coming out from internal places I cannot see where they are coming from...

At this point I'm considering just putting a separate light in the head and using it as a 9k decoration instead of something to play...

Hang in there, "If it ain't broke, it ain't a pinball machine" It seems like I had some tweaking to do with every new or newer machine I ever had except mbr. I do think that screw caused chaos but you are near the finish line so don't give up. There is some videos in this thread on how to disassemble the guillotine. I had to and it's easy to do. You probably need a new servo motor or it just needs some tweaking. I would try to do some adjustments to it in the settings menu first but you probably do have to disassemble it.

Keep going. My ACNC was a nightmare a while back. Almost sold it…but it’s my wife’s favorite. Just kept plugging away, and with Spooky’s help…it’s back to 100%. The screws are due to high vibration of the games. In the past, routers would routinely pull the game off route and go through every aspect of the game. Fixing, tightening, replacing where needed. It’s normal pinball maintenance.

If you don’t know how, aren’t willing, or know someone that will fix/service your pinball…this can be a very frustrating hobby. My daughter once asked “Dad, do you play your pinballs, or just fix them”. That was my Stern Metallica.

No fallen screws on mine.... weird

If the screw touched the black and orange wires at once it'd probably shut down the whole power supply, fuse is downstream from that and wouldn't be affected

No fallen screws on mine either and it’s No.6. One of the early models. TBH it’s been pretty reliable. I’ve had one rubber snap and apart from fitting the medisynol mods and playing with the settings on the amp a bit I’ve never had to lift the playfield!

It is like a sticker or something? I'm not seeing it. Where exactly inside the coin door?

Sticker is posted on right side of cabinet, just above the "ugly blue box". Should be able to read/see it from open coin door.

Mine must not have one.

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Can someone look at their game and tell me if the ball traps here? This is the fourth time for me. I wonder if something is misaligned.

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That sucks, sorry. Here's what mine looks like. Don't recall if my ACNC has any other markings. I know my newer Stern games have born dates on back of backbox. Older Sterns had SN listed on inside of cabinet. My RAM also has a blood sucker plaque on lower right of speaker grill. Maybe others can better address this...

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Yes. They make a mod for that.

https://www.pinballlife.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PBL-100-0113-00

https://www.pinballlife.com/scary-tree-ball-trap-fix-for-alice-coopers-nightmare-castle.html

Compared to my ACNC it seems that your ramp could be misaligned (after installing DIY ramp protectors? the ramp flap must have been off) There should be enough space between ramp and castle wall that a ball never gets trapped here.
The little tree on the post is IMO completely senseless…

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Wonder if I just need to shave the edge of the ramp down. It looks like mine just has an overhang of plastic yours doesn't. The alignment compared to the posts look the same.

This is a prototype game apparently so maybe a different ramp design made it into production?

Looking at both your photos it appears your ramp flange is over the art plastic where DrBernd has his flange below the art plastic. No shaving of plastic necessary if you reverse the layer effect.

I guess the ramp flanges are different. Approx. just 1/8 inch short on mine (it’s not below the art plastic), maybe 1/3 inch on his prototype ramp

I wonder if I can get a production ramp to swap this out. I want to put this game on route but I can't with such a bad ball trap. I'm thinking just cutting the edge of the ramp off might be the best solution. Could I heat it with a heat gun and bend it over?

You can see the ramp flaps been moved a bunch of times probably trying to fix this without cutting anything but I don't think I have a choice.

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That’s a 2 minute fix with a Dremel tool and cutoff wheel. You could then hit the cut edge quickly with a propane torch to melt and make it shine again. Be careful, obviously. Here’s mine for comparison

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Hi, I've a slight issue, if anyone could advise please.
The left VUK and flipper aren't working.
Worked OK when I turned off previously.
I've checked the connections on the power distribution board (orange/black wire?) all OK.
I've gone in to the menu and tested these coils but nothing happens - others seem OK.
I've tested all the fuses and connectors in the backbox - all OK.
Game starts up OK, just coils on left not working.

Any ideas or clues where to further look?

Do you get ~70v at the coil?
If you short the driving wire to ground at the coil, does it fire?
If you short the driving wire to ground at the connector in the backbox, does it fire?

This lets you narrow down where the issue is.

I had a similar issue and it ended up being the shooter coil under the apron was grounding out(through the paper wrap) also noticed the coil bracket is drilled through the apron holder clips(poss causing a ground as well.) also make sure the fuse that controls these coils is not blown.
Worth a shot
Good luck

Just noticed your post said left flipper, mine was right flipper and shooter coil.

Coyote - before I tried I moved 48v connectors about, and the proble, seems to have shifted from left flipper to right flipper, so I'm guessing possibly loose connection on power board?

ghostbc - it's right flipper now!! Can't spot issue with grounding.
I did recheck fuses, and somewhere along the line, the fuse had blown on the shaker and knocker. Now replaced and working.

Just right sling, right flipper, auto plunge not working now.

How reliable are the power boards - does anyone have a schematic for it (thinking if bad connector then utilising 1 of the 2 free sockets )

shaker motors loosen everything up. that's why you don't really want them on every game. Shakes everything loose.

The shaker on my Roadshow is insane. You can heard it (and feel it) rooms away!!

I did notice on the code update, the motor is more subdued.

Oh the fun gets funner!
Whilst investing the coil problem, I mis-plugged 1 of the connectors back in...and got a fire on the chip.
1/ Is it the same chip for both boards?
2/ would you put new chip in or replace whole board?

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Good news is, I think it is only an $85 board. Correct me gentlemen if I am wrong.

https://www.multimorphic.com/store/circuit-boards/pd-16/

Yes + $61 postage though
I'm taking board to specialist to see if it can be repaired first.

+1 - A good reminder that these machines are not maintenance free. I work in the vinyl record business and same applies to record players…they require regular calibration and attention to the setup to function properly…most people dont bother and then blame the record for having a ‘skip’ or being ‘noisy’ when in reality they have an improperly calibrated anti-skate or a big ball of dust on their stylus.

RIP the board is toast

New one ordered, along with new power board.
Having all the armour re- powder coated whilst game isn't working

Try turning the power of the upper flipper down. I was having this problem as well, and it turned out that the flipper was way to powerful. I was also getting hops over the guillotine which also went away when I adjusted the coil strength.
Every machine is different, but mine is set to 15.

Hi , just send you the first picture of the begining of my topper for alice cooper ! Cant wait to finish it ....

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Okay, so I ran into an issue with my Alice last night:

Girlfriend was playing, she drained. Next game starts and does not even attempt to dispense or launch a ball and the right flipper no longer works. Upper flipper works fine. Light for launch button is also not working. When you start a new game it does so with no other issue and acts as if there's a ball in the shooter lane waiting for you to press the launch button. Game responds in the menu to the flipper button. The idiot in me says it's obviously something on the right side of the machine for multiple thing nearby to fail at once. Any suggestions? All help is greatly appreciated.

(I don't see any burnt coils or anything unplugged/disconnected)

Check your fuses. I bet one’s blown.

Is anyone looking for a speaker panel / coin door decal? I've run off another 10 of these - 2 have been shipped already, and the rest are now available here:
https://pinside.com/pinball/market/shops/1266-pinball-nerd-decals-/03952-pre-order-alice-cooper-s-nightmare-castle-decals

Shipping is included for Canada / US. International folks please dm for a shipping quote.

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Hey there Alice owners!! I know this game doesn’t have Internet connectability, but would anyone be interested in an unofficial Alice Cooper tournament this weekend? It’s a novel idea instead of us worrying about how well our games work or what the next pinball machine we should Byers might be fun to just enjoy this beautiful game I propose we play from now until tomorrow at like 7 PM central, and each one of us post our highest score anyone in?

I'm in, sounds like fun. Also would like to know where I place with some of the other owners.

Alright even if it’s just the two of us it’s on!!

I'll try to get some games on mine this weekend as well. Been a few since I've cranked on Alice.. maybe I'll get around to my precision flipper swap too

Factory settings 3 ball?

Yes 3 ball. This might be my best so I better put it up. I’m currently winning !!

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I like this thread…thats all. Hope you people in the remote tourney have a blast, wish I saw more of this on pinside!

I cracked 100M on the only game I had time for today

This should be done more often!