Just finished a strip-down shop out of a Frank Thomas. She's all put together and squeaky clean. Game was purchased as-is without testing. Upon initial turn on, post shop, one thing seems to be going wrong: a flasher is stuck on...

Upon starting a game, the lower left flopper becomes energized and becomes stuck up/on.

This is the first Sys 3 I've trouble shot... It seems like this is probably an issue on the driver board? But... My ability to read schematics blows. So, someone with some guidance in them would be embraced!

Thanks, Todd

Special solenoid area? Not on A3?

Just figured out the flipper before I logged back on...a little switch adjustment and it's no longer staying energized. Can't believe I didn't check that first!

The flasher that's getting stuck on is flasher number 6 (which is to the left of the looping scoop with the umpire graphic on top...left side of playfield). It stays on from the time the game is turned on and remains on once the game has been turned off.

Also have noticed that the auto launcher isn't working... I'll have to check that out tomorrow.

I pulled the A3 board...checked all of the transistors...nothing is testing funny...

Yeah... I know... Flip the power off and the entire machine goes black accept that flasher... It continues to shine and very slowly fades.

This will probably mean something to someone... Has me scratching my head

Ok...had a brief moment before work to flip the game on... there are some flashers that aren't working - at all - on the game...and I have one that is stuck on. Also, the auto launcher works in test mode...but doesn't launch during the game (shooter lane switch does register in test mode).

Those look to be the two biggest issues. Hopefully someone will have some thoughts. I'm beginning to wonder if the flashers are all tied together somehow...there's a broken or pinched wire, perhaps?

I've checked the fuses...they all seem fine. I did find an auxiliary driver board on the back of the back-box swing door. It has a bad transistor (Q7) So, need to order that and get it repaired. All of the other transistors on the board checked-out.

Here's a is what's happening:

1) Auto kicker (works in test mode...so does shooter switch) won't auto fire during game
2)Three flashers under solenoid aren't working (#16, L. Dome Card Holder, #18, R. Dome Card Holder, #26 Ticket Coin Reader) and four flashers under Driver (Diver 0, Left Ramp #1-67, Driver 2 Left Ramp #3-67, Driver 3, Right Ramp #3-67, and Driver 6, Scoop 67) aren't working.

I'm wondering if the flashers running under solenoid are simply an issue of polarity?

I'm also wondering if all flashers running under driver are located on the auxiliary board?

I watched Clay's video on System 3. I haven't performed his suggested ground mod yet...

There's more transistors on the board than there are flashers in the backbone... and with one burned out...seems logical that they must control the playfield flashers too

Viper... thanks for the really thoughtful post. I'll respond in due time! Thanks!!!

Roger. Some of the flashers controlled by each board are working, that means the resistors should be ok. Right?

Yes, LEDs throughout. Looks like I need to go through and check continuity in wiring. I took the apron apart yesterday and inspected the flashers and sockets...along with the harness...everything appeared ok. Will do some more in-depth testing.

Thanks for the explanation of how to relate the solenoids to the driver board. Made me curious to dig back into Gottliebs manual and just came across the schematic showing this. Thanks

I've ordered replacement parts from Marco and they should be coming by the end of the week. I'll repair the Aux Driver board and then go through the process of retesting the A3 board...checking wiring, etc.

It doesn't...I don't know... and this makes perfect sense. Thanks.

I'll investigate.

Ok. I'll check when I replace the MOSFETs.

Thanks Viper!!!

Todd

Just a little update...I've worked out the flasher issues and the auto ball launcher. The flashers ended up being a combination of bad MOSFETs and bulbs that needed to be reseated. Somewhere along the line the ball launcher started working ---think it was a little tweak to the shooter lane switch...

I do have two optos that are not working...not sure why I didn't check them when I had the playfield stripped..but one of the orbit optos isn't registering and there are two solid red lights on the opto board under the playfield (which I'm fairly sure means two optos aren't functioning properly... correct)? My plan is to gain access to the optos...clean them, make sure they're aligned, and reflow their solder joints. Hopefully that will take care of the issues.

She's really - really - really - close to having 100% life. I've been able to play some games (of course, the game can't be completely played without the optos all working correctly), and the game is totally fun! I'm a baseball nut, and the theme is a homerun!

Any tips on the optos, please share! Biggest question: is there a way to relate the lit LED on the opto board to the switch schematic in the manual (to confirm which switches the lit LEDs match?).

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Chris... so, none of the opto lights should be on...correct? If they are on, probably a sign that something's not right. Yes?

Roger that. I'll life the hood tomorrow and do some investigating. Thanks Chris!

***Update*** (need a bit more help)

So I've found the problem with the Optos... after taking the game apart, cleaning and reflowing the optos...Opto 80 and Opto 90 were still registering as closed. So I decided to pull the opto board. When I did, I discovered that a resistor was broken (circled in red) and one resistor is missing. I fixed the broken resistor and Opto 80 is now fully functioning.

Great news!

The bad news is that Opto 90's part of the board needs a resistor. I looked through the manual and it looks like there are only 7 optos in the game and the two opto boards control 8. I know the *right way* is to order a new resistor. Which I will do. In the meantime, I'm hoping that I can pull a resistor from one of one of the two opto boards (section not being used) in order to put in it in the place the currently missing resistor. I've looked in the manual (Page 39) and have a tried to look over the schematics to see if I could identify which resistor is not in use... I'm such a novice at schematics, that my eyes can't identify it.

I'm wondering if someone has a moment to see if they can identify it...and give a quick explanation as to how they did it?

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I'll see if I can identify it...

Got it. Repairs are done, game works!

Chris, I owe you (another) brewski!!

I think it's time for Frank to get off the DL and get in the game!!!

I agree...I think it's a hidden gem. There's a location about about 45 min from my home that has one in really rough shape..."operating on crutches" situation. Years ago I played it extensively and thought it was a lot of fun...then had an opportunity to jump on the one own when I came across it being sold "as-is". Bought it based on pictures. The game turned out to be in really nice shape beneath the dust and crud on the playfield - cleaned-up really well. Ended up needing a new glove motor, repairs to the opto boards, repairs to the Aux Driver board, a new tongue on the shooter lane ramp, flipper rebuilds, a strip down cleaning (along with new new rubbers, etc), a new skill shot drop-down guide-wire mechanism, new decals, and I put LEDs throughout. It's plays super fast.

The amount of hardware on the playfield would cost a fortune to implement this day and age.

I'm thinking about pulling the Gottlieb flipper bats...I bought new replacements from Steve Young, but it seems like the narrow rubber on the bat induces some airballs on fast moving orbit shots.

Thanks again for all the help...all of you...I hope I can return the favor at some point. At least this thread will contain some info that might prove useful to someone that comes across similar issues.