Hello!

I have a Caveman Pinball (1982, Gottlieb) that seems to be working great besides one little hiccup. When the ball enters a hole to start up the video mode, and if the player controls the caveman on screen and goes back into a “cave” (or safe spot on the sides of the screen) the ball doesn’t launch back into the playfield to let them continue to play on the playfield (as it should). The video game screen freezes up, along with the table, and it makes me turn off the entire pinball machine. BUT, on the other hand, if the player lets the dinosaurs eat the player’s character, the game DOES kick the ball into the playfield and lets the player resume the regular pinball play (regular play when this happens is to lose a ball, but it does start up the next ball in the plunger area). I know the switches are detecting the ball when its in the video mode hole because the video mode works, and the solenoids work because the ball still is able to be kicked out when the video game player “dies” by being eaten by a dinosaur on screen. I’m guessing it’s a problem where a signal isn’t being sent to the pinball board from the video game boards properly when they go into the “cave” in the video game, but I’m no expert. I made sure check all connectors are pushed in fully. I did buy this in the last week. It hasn’t worked for me or the seller. I don’t know where to start from here.

Video Link of what happens:

Manuals:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Q0lq-pKA2qzVksKqclKDsGflPdLlibJ/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DSJ6h_hGj_byYQy971gTpBUhmErkR0Fi/view?usp=drivesdk

Thanks for your help!

I have unplugged and replugged the wires connecting to the boards behind the backglass and the plugs connecting to the boards housed in the metal cage under the playfield (I think that’s the video game boards—or at least I’ve been told that’s what they are). Nothing resolved the problem. I checked boards for corrosion and didn’t see anything. The battery is in good condition. Any other ideas?

I read online that I can unplug the joystick and use alligator clips to ground out the wires which would cause a video mode test. Maybe that will give me information as to what is bad in the video game boards? I’ll check and post results tonight.

I double checked the solenoids and switches through the self/test and they were all working. I also did the video-pinball Interface Test tonight. The results are attached (picture). The manual stated that it would have 3 phases to this test. I’m a little confused on what the results of my test are. I attached that page to the manual here as well.

The most confusing part is the “video section” of Part II. It states it “exercises the lines back to the pinball via the switch matrix. This part of the test is displayed in the ‘BALL IN PLAY’ window...” what window are they taking about? The score board? The playfield lights? Nothing seems to be showing up at all. I tried to press the reset button on the coin door to start the testing and it just starts the Bookkeeping Self/Tests.

I also see “CHART 2” of the attached page has switch matrix number 02 as “EXIT VIDEO AND RETURN TO PINGAME PLAN”. This is the exact problem I am having with my game. Could this help me in finding the problem? Where would I see this information during the Interface test? I guess I should also ask, what is a “Switch Matrix?”

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When I ran the Interface test I made sure to simulate the “Test Jack” by closing all of the joystick’s switches. A0821D81-7F09-4F8A-B0F6-6F46A918D504 (resized).jpeg

I also flipped the #6-8 on the board behind the backglass to “on” like the manual stated. Maybe you can double check that I flipped the correct ones? I assumed the switches after the first 8 just continue the # to 9-16, 17-24, and 25-32? Or should I be flipping each “6-8” switch I see on that board?6A5AD9AB-DDC7-45A3-9A96-1A6E9D6571AB (resized).jpeg

As soon as I plug in the joystick with the modified closed switches, the monitor screen in the playfield switches to display the Ram, color, and video tests. I don’t even have to touch the reset button on the front coin door. When I do press the Reset button to start the 3 stage Interface test, nothing but the Self/Test mode starts running on the backglass. It starts testing the switches and solenoids, etc.

Interestingly, I saw that my F6 fuse was also blown under the playfield. I replaced it and it blew again when I turned on my pinball. Could this be related? 907BC231-BA9F-4393-B37B-F19B8B1B1CA8 (resized).jpeg

Thank you for your help and time, frunch. I greatly appreciate it!

I’m not the best at reading the electrical diagrams. I found the fuse (f6) and I followed the lines, but get lost on where they are connected on the playfield diagram. I think it said it lit up the coin chute (I’m assuming this is the coin door lights?), and playfield lights. When I follow the line to the left side of the page I saw it connected to a couple symbols I’m not familiar with. Pictured here:
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I guess what I’m asking is f6 is connected more than just coin chute and playfield lights.

Manual link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Q0lq-pKA2qzVksKqclKDsGflPdLlibJ/view?usp=drivesdk

Thank you for any advice you can give me. I appreciate your time!

I just verified. Yes. The F6 fuse blows within the first second of being turned on. What could be the cause of that? There aren’t Diodes on lights or anything that could be causing it? Maybe a short circuit? Thoughts?

I did get the Interface Test to work, finally! I thought it said to press the coin door test button, but it was really the “start game” button you have to press. Now I have to just try to decode this test!

The numbers that come up in the Interface test we’re 01, 03, 04, 05, 06, 10, 11, 13, 14, and 15.

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I’m a little lost on what this actually tells me. I see that the test did not display an “02” which was “Exit Video and Return to Pingame Plan”. Does this validate that the video game isn’t sending a signal to the pinball table telling it the video game has paused when the caveman enters a cave? I also noticed that it DID display an “06”, which stated “Caveman Eaten By A Tyrannosaurus”. This part also makes sense with what is going on. The game WILL send the ball back in play if I get eaten by a dinosaur in the video game (it actually is considered a lost ball (flippers won’t move until the ball is sensed in the trough)) but it does let you play your next ball from the plunger. Lastly, “12” was not displayed during the test, which states in the manual as “Caveman has Stopped (Sound)”. I wonder if this is tied in with the big issue I’m having or just a small sound issue I can just ignore for now?

Any ideas where on the pinball cabinet I should look for fix this or what parts I need to replace?

I’ll try this tonight and get back to you. Thank you so much for your help, pinflip_!

I was looking closer at “00” code... it states “brontosaurus and triceratop crushed”... lol whatever that means? I think that means it won’t let me “hit” them with my caveman sprite when in video game mode? I’ll maybe have to test this out tonight? Unless you think it means something different or if I should test it some other way?

You guys might be on to something! Here is the results of the Vari-target test. I think we’re getting close!

When I hit the Vari-targets the “Ball in Play” changes and makes a very funny sound (maybe it’s supposed to be like that though?). This happens with both Vari-targets. It eventually turned off the background sound and shut down the entire table, making it reset itself. Very strange. Would that mean the problem is the switches under the playfield for the Vari-targets?

I checked the right Vari-target and didn’t notice anything out of place.... then I checked the left vari-target and saw this!

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This might be the issue! I’ll solder it back where I think it goes... it looks like it was connected to the diode before. I’ll then retest and let you know what I find!

Soldered back on (she isn’t the prettiest solder job, but I think she’ll hold) and now for the test!

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It works! The caveman can now go back into the virtual cave in the video game mode and the ball will launch out of the hole to resume gameplay!!!!!!!! Holy shit! Thank you pinflip_ alexanr1 and frunch for your help and support!

Now, I did test the F6 fuse and it still is blown on startup, reinforcing that it’s a totally separate issue. Everything on the pinball table seems to be working except the lights under the plastic art coverings (basically 1/2 of the playfield lights). I guess I never noticed that there were this many lights out. The ones controlling the game (lighting 1x, 2x, 3x, spelling “CAVE” or lighting the drop targets) are the working ones (and really the only ones I truly cared about because the game still tells you what to go for). Would I be checking for crosses wires when their is a blowing fuse like this or what should I be looking for?

Again, I am very grateful for your help guys! Thank you!!!!!

Someone in another Pinside forum posted this:
“ Use a 9v battery, hook alligator clips to it, then with the game off touch the clips to a socket. See which bulb in the string doesn't light and youve found your problem.”

Do I you think this is safe to try?

Found the issue!

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The light bulb frame was smashed on the side all of the pin, causing the two parts of the light to be touching!

Thanks again for all of your help!!!!! You guys are amazing!