It's been a long time since I could make the drawbridge ramp on the BK2K or made more than a single upper loop. I think it's because it's more difficult than it used to be for some reason, but I can't rule out degenerative pinball disorder, or whatever the term is for getting worse as you get older. All other shots can be made fine though, and breaking down the drawbridge is eminently possible. The only way I can clear this up is by, to paraphrase the dear Mr Holmes, eliminating the impossible.

With that in mind I consider that the problem may be either a weak upper flipper, or in the process of shifting the machine around the house over the years the play field may be at the wrong angle. I guess they're the only two probable machine-related reasons, right?

So I checked the angle, and it's shallower than my TZ which is on the easiest possible angle (for the kids' benefit, of course ). Measuring both machines' side rail with my trusty magnetic pinball angle measures, and it appears that the TZ is around 15 degrees, while the BL2K is around 13. So I'm eliminating too steep an angle as the reason.

That leaves a weak flipper. I opened up the play field and examined the EOS switch for the upper right flipper, which I undserstand is a common reason for weak flippers. To my surprise there's only one EOS switch connected, which is made by default and opened when the flipper flips. There's no low power connection to hold the flipper open. I consulted the manual and this appears to be correct. So I bought a new EOS switch and just replaced it, and tried a couple of times. It appears to be better, but it's still impossible to make that shot, even when I'm rolling the ball by hand continually down the loop to set the shot up. I tried it maybe 50 times and it just ain't working.

So, what else could it be? The coil looks new. The mechanics of the flipper seem smooth. I replaced the coil sleeve. Nada. Can anyone suggest something different?

I think so. If anything I think it's too shallow.

Thanks Mike. I did check the coil stop and it looks good. Flipper plung tip though, I didn't check specifically - but I didn't notice anything awry. I will check that.