There is an end to my weak flipper saga! But it's not what I thought it would be....
New cab flipper switch arrived today, I swapped it out for the old and crusty one, AND......same weak flipper problem.
Just to cover all the bases, when I bought the new switch I also put a new flipper coil in my basket. And after the new switch didn't resolve the problem, I figured what the hell - I took out the 42 year old coil, put in the new one, and bam....there's so much author-A-TIE in that left flipper now I'm getting up the middle and right ramps with EASE. And not just the middle and right ramps....in my practice game, I even backhanded the ball up the long left ramp with that left flipper with power to spare. And to top it off on that backhanded shot....the Extra Ball light was lit at the top of the ramp and off went the bell. Couldn't be happier.
I'm sure the original coil is fine - coils don't go weak. If anything, if a coil starts to fail, the resistance will go down and the coil will get stronger or short out / fry. Resistance won't be added.
So the issue, in all likelihood, was the coil sleeve (the new coil came with a new sleeve which of course I left in when I installed it). I rebuilt these flippers a couple years ago and when I rebuild flippers, of course I always put in new coil sleeves. Except apparently in this case, I did not. And now, 2 years later, I had assumed I did back then. So during this triage, I didn't bother to check.
Well...the end of that coil sleeve at the coil stop is indeed a bit mangled. And mangled just enough that it's putting just enough drag on the plunger to sap a little bit of power.
This is one I won't forget! Appreciate the help and advise along the way, guys.
Next up: restoring the coin door and then this project is done.
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