I'm relatively new to the pinball scene and as the title suggests I've been encountering a failure to launch more than one ball despite 2+ being lit. It will kick only one ball out (two coils, one releases ball, one launches). The launch coil will fire a few times (with no ball) after the first ball is on the PF (release coil won't) then the game gives up.
I've been looking around on the net and I think I might have found the solution but I am cautious to implement without posting here first.
I've checked all the switches through the self-test switch, nothing is stuck. Below is the fix I found.
Problem -
"The micro switch at the midpoint of the habit trail is the likely problem, the kicker solenoid fires twice is because this switch doesn't register a closure and the game thinks the ball is still on the kicker and hasnt been sent to the PF. The game will only release one ORB in this situation."
Fix -
"After I had ensured that all switches were working OK, the machine was fixed by adding a 0.1 capacitor to the launch switch (halfway up the tunnel). I think that as the switch gets old, it doesn't keep "closed" enough for the MPU to register a ball has passed up through the launch tunnel. The cap lengthens the closure enough for the MPU to see it."
This is a picture if the exact switch on my Centaur II, here are some queries I have.
Where exactly on the switch would I solder the capacitor, in relation to where the diode is?
Maybe the paperclip like switch trigger is too short so is not being closed long enough?
Please any tips or suggestions will be gratefully appreciated!
Thank you!