1. That sounds like a GI (General Illumination) problem
http://www.pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Williams_WPC#General_Illumination_Problems

2. That sounds like a Switch problem
http://www.pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Williams_WPC#Switch_Problems

3. You need to test that gate using the Solenoid Tests
Be sure to close the coin door or close the interlock switch so that the solenoids (and flashers) have power during tests

RussMyers

Then go back to testing and fixing all of your switches.

If one or more of your switches aren't working, the game will lose track of the ball and require a ball search to find it and features (like the gate you are having problems with in-game) won't work properly.

Throw the game into switch edge test and test every switch in the game.

2. That sounds like a Switch problem
http://www.pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Williams_WPC#Switch_Problems

You have a copy of the manual, yes?

Look at the Switch Matrix page(s).

RM

1. Put the game into Switch Edge Test
2. Lift the playfield
3. Close the pop bumper switch with your finger

Does it register open and the closed in test? It will show up on the DMD display.

RM

Everybody has to start somewhere.

Welcome to pinball ownership.

RM

You need to systematically go through the switch matrix and test every switch, taking note of any that don't work.

RM

Optos are like two little LED pcbs facing each other.

There is a infrared diode (emitter) and an optical transistor (receiver).

When the light beam is broken (blocked by your finger, or by a ball), the switch is open; when the light beam is unbroken, the switch is closed.

If only one of the optos is not working that is the problem.

If none of the optos are working, that is a different problem.

Look at the switch matrix chart in your manual.

The optos are the dark squares: #25 26 31 32 33 34 35 36 67 71 72 73 74 and 76.

Also the flipper button optos.

Are they all working?

RM

OK, the opto switches are Normally Closed (NC) when no ball is blocking the beam.

Most switches (leaf and micro switches) are Normally Open (NO).

If all of the optos are open all the time, you may have a problem with the 12 volts going to the Opto control board(s) under the playfield, in other words the infrared LEDs (emitters) are not getting power from the opto board that controls them.

RM

OK, just those optos are open all the time, and will not show closed when you put your finger between the optos, yes?

They have no response?

RM

OK, look at Page 122 of the manual, under A-15576 7-opto Switch Board Assy.

Look at the listing for connectors J1 J2 and J3.

These control the Opto switches 71-76 (the one you have problems with)

With the game on, is the power LED for the board lit?

Are all 3 connectors firmly seated?

J3-1 and J3-3 should have incoming 12V DC from the power driver board

J2-10 and J1-10 have the 12V DC to those optos to make them work.

RussMyers

That board is under the playfield.

RM

1. Does the magnet work in test? Go into Tests - T4 Solenoid Tests - Solenoid #33 Claw Magnet

The coin door power interlock must be closed for the solenoids and flashers to have power even in test mode.

The Magnet should pulse in test if you hold a ball under it, it should grab it momentarily

The claw magnet is driven by one of the circuits in the Fliptronics 2 PCB in the backbox (The Upper Right Flipper Power circuit)

Look at Page 2 in the manual

If there is no power to the magnet, check the fuse on that board by pulling the fuse out and checking it with a DMM on continuity (tone)

2. Look at this for GI problems http://www.pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Williams_WPC#General_Illumination_Problems

There are 5 fuses for 5 GI circuits in the lower left side of the WPC power driver board
check the GI fuses on that board by pulling the fuse out and checking it with a DMM on continuity (tone)

GI output connectors J120 and J121 may also be burned up

RM

WPCGIConnectors.jpg

Are you closing the power safety interlock next to the coin door during tests?

That interlock will cut the high power when the door is open.

RM

Check the connectors and fuses on the Fliptronics 2 Flipper control board in the backbox - that drives the claw magnet.

RM

Does the magnet work in test? Go into Tests - T4 Solenoid Tests - Solenoid #33 Claw Magnet

The coin door power interlock must be closed for the solenoids and flashers to have power even in test mode.

The Magnet should pulse in test if you hold a ball under it, it should grab it momentarily

RM

Wait.

When you run the solenoid test for the magnet, it does grab the ball for just a second, but then lets it go?

Then the magnet coil itself is working.

That is how the solenoid coil tests work - it pulses the solenoid coil for just a second; it doesn't lock it on steady.

That's why I said in an earlier post it would grab the ball "momentarily", i.e. for just a moment.

If the claw magnet is grabbing the ball for a second and letting it go; it's working.

Your problem is something else.

Go to page 1-17 and 1-18 in the manual.

Test - T.14 - Claw Test

And read the test instructions and run the tests.

Remember to close the coin door during the tests.

RM

F108 is one of the General Illumination fuses (GI).

If that keeps blowing, you have a short somewhere, like a bulb socket touching something it shouldn't.

You have to find that.

RM