(Topic ID: 57498)

Bally Spy Hunter

By Fanatic

10 years ago



Topic Stats

  • 5 posts
  • 3 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 10 years ago by Patofnaud
  • No one calls this topic a favorite

You

Linked Games

#1 10 years ago

Hey everybody. Thanks for the great site and all the helpful articles. I have been restoring a 1984 Bally Spy Hunter using all the information and links handily provided here in your various discussions. The information provided here has allowed me to troubleshoot, identify, and repair problems with displays, solenoids, - I've even made repairs to components on the pcb's with no prior experience in electronics.

After all of that work I still have one problem which I hope you may be able to help with.

The problem is this:
Ball shooter lane roll-over switch and associated lights.
For some reason, the lights test OK in test mode. I'm very careful to describe that the lights and switch function perfectly under test condition.
When game play begins - periodically, the game will simply place between 10 and 30 points on the scoreboard and behave as if the rollover switch had been activated (even though the ball has not yet been launched).
Obviously - the first thing I checked was the switch gap/contact point - this is OK. I also checked for any loose or nasty looking connections which might act like a switch. No problems were obvious under the playfield.
I'm wondering if this problem could be internal to the MPU?
Any troubleshooting suggestions?

#2 10 years ago

Use switch test and see if you can get a switch number to pop up.

Then go under the PF and inspect this switch. If this switch has a capacitor connected to it, clip the cap and try switch test again. If phantom switch goes away replace the cap.

#3 10 years ago

Another trick, while in test, 'thump' the playfield with the side of your fist lightly.

That should rule out (or aggravate) any vibration induced issues.

Also keep in mind the switch you are looking at may not be the one giving you issues. Having it in switch test mode while thumping will pop up the number of the switch that is causing issues, and that could be some random switch hidden behind a rubber that could be adjusted too close.

#4 10 years ago

Great Advice!!
I was just monkeying with it and came back to find your reply.
Perfect advice. Thank you!
The switch self-test showed a stuck playfield switch. The switch contacts were too close. Occasional vibrations would trigger the switch prior to ball launch thereby adding a bit to the score and spoiling the rollover feature.
Adjustment of the switch gap corrected the problem.

Thanks again for your reply.

#5 10 years ago

Cool cool.

Usually it's the resetting of bank targets vibration that will do that on game start. Your lucky it isn't an old System 80 Gottlieb, they won't finish power up self test if a switch is stuck and it can be a pain in the butt to find.

Promoted items from Pinside Marketplace and Pinside Shops!
$ 85.00
From: $ 150.00
800 (OBO)
Machine - For Sale
Clovis, CA
From: $ 2.99
1,800
Machine - For Sale
Potterville, MI
$ 18.00
Electronics
Yorktown Arcade Supply
 
$ 22.95
Eproms
Pinballrom
 
$ 18.95
Eproms
Pinballrom
 

Reply

Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.

Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!

Donate to Pinside

Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!


This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/bally-spy-hunter and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.

Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.