I posted earlier for the initial problem here - DMD was frozen. I remedied that by reseating 80% of the connectors. Everything was going fine, I played for about an hour, then the sound disappeared. I restarted the machine and it was fine again.

So just tonight the problems were:
DMD frozen
No Sound
Lost ball / unable to locate / searching (this happened a lot)
Error for R. Flipper E.O.S
Started immediately into multiball on new game

I did a factory reset, which helped for a bit but the gremlins got at it again..

I know, or I think I know, it's a connection problem..but how to figure out what connection? Seems to be all over the map?

Some background - I just got the game last night. Transported 5 hours in the back of my pickup and jostled it around a bit getting it into my basement (nothing major, but it was moved). The previous owner assures me that the DMD is new, and there were no errors when he got it ready for sale.

Any thoughts would be welcomed

Thanks, I'll try that later.

Thanks, I'll give it another go. I didn't try reseating the connectors on the opto board underneath..that makes sense.

I'm hoping I can avoid a reflow. I know this is probably the best thing to do, but I'm pretty new to pinball/soldering and it seems like a hugely daunting task.

How do you test for cold solder joint?

Thanks, and good to know about your electronics fetish..

However, I was wondering if there's a way to test before removing the boards? With a multimeter?

You did, thanks. And I tried that, short of reflowing the solder. I tried it again just now - I reseated ALL the ribbon cables coming off the DMD driver board, as well as where they connected to the flipper board.

Now when I power on the flippers are engaged. Excellent! ...and still no display

Fuck it. Tomorrow I'll reflow the DMD driver board. I have a feeling my flipper board is pooched? ...or why are my flippers engaged

Betwixed! I'm feeling very betwixed right now..

Thanks everyone

You're not going to believe this. I don't believe it..and I certainly don't understand it. So PLEASE if someone can shed some light..or let me know where else I should look, I would be so grateful.

Here's the deal:
I reflowed the main header pins on the DMD driver board. No problem. That WAS easy - why did I doubt you guys!

I got a new fliptronic board today, and put that in. (other errors with flippers..the original board was hacked..thought I should replace)

I plugged in the game and prayed.

I flipped the switch - and sadly, the display was still a mess. It was better, but still had vertical lines running through it. I ran a test report which came back with a few problems - the right ramp make was stuck, the ball trough 2 was issuing an error, and R Flipper EOS was back.

I switched it off and swore. A lot.

When it came back on the error report wasn't as long...but the display was still messed up.

I played a game. The game went into multiball right away. I don't know the rules that well, but I know it shouldn't have done that so quickly. Then it drained and fired 2 balls back into the shooter lane instead of 1. Then the next ball 1 went to the gun and it launched another ball into the playfield.

Jesus. Completely screwy.

Ok, I thought..what was the first thing I did when I got the game home? The next day I switched the balls. The balls that were in there were dirty and gross...

But there's no way...that won't make a difference...but it's worth a try right? ...so I switched the balls back.

Everything - EVERYTHING is fine. The display is fine, I've played a few games and there doesn't seem to be any problems, the sound is fine..everything. I'll play some more and see for sure but it seems good.

So. Seriously. WTF?? Balls?!?! DH takes normal 1 1/16 standard pinballs no? I don't get it? I'm going to look around to see if anyone has ever had a similar issue..but it must be something else right?...it just doesn't make sense.

Gah thought I was in the clear.

The sound cut out. "Sound board interface error". I get the beep on power, but no sound. Also says "sound error" SY 3.35 ..then a date

Anyone know where i should start?

Sorry...still a newb...how do I do this? What voltages am I looking for? Where am I testing?

Thanks for the help and advice

Thanks, I'm going to check. After all this other nonsense, I never did check this stuff

I think you're on to something here - just reseated both flat ribbon cables and everything is fine again. It makes sense..in both the DMD issue and this one, the ribbon cables were moved/adjusted. Plus, it's the cheapest option

Alright...had a party last night, so I decided to leave the game on as I know it would get a lot of use...so it's been on for about 24hrs. This morning all the issues were back - the DMD was all messed up / vertical lines etc. The sound was gone, the left flipper will not stay engaged / double hits.

I ordered new ribbon cables (which apparently is a hot item..sold out everywhere)

..we'll see. I'm not sure what else I should try while I wait for these. I'd like to take some readings on the power board but not sure how - if someone could let me know how/what I should look for I'd appreciate it.

Thanks
Mike

Unfortunately, I don't have another WPC,

I was going to get them from GPE, but Ed told me he was out of the 34 pin plugs for the set. I ordered them all from Bay Area

No..freaking taking forever....haven't been home yet, hopefully there's mail!

Got it today...and she's working good! We'll see tomorrow but seems like it fixed that issue. The DMD is working fine now, and no sound board interface error. I only replaced the one cable - the longest one. I may replace the rest, but I'm thinking if it ain't broke...

Now I just have a couple of switch errors and I think that's it. I'm going to check the trough optos tomorrow - I think maybe one isn't working

Thanks again for all the help
M

Aaaaaand, I spoke too soon. I woke up this morning and fired her up. Same problem. Well, no..the "sound board interface error" is still absent thankfully but the DMD is all messed up. The DMD starts all screwy, then it kind of works itself out, then it goes all screwy again. I still think it's a connection, but now i'm at a loss of how to figure out what connection and what to do.

I will replace the rest of the cables as a start. Then I don't really know. I suppose I could reflow solder on all the other boards? Is there anything else I can do first?

Hey thanks for the reply..ya, I wish I had another WPC too

The guy that sold me that machine tells me the display is new - he just replaced it a month ago or something. I trust him..I think...haha..I mean, he doesn't really have any reason to lie, he's got my $$.

Anyway, the display is garbled. It comes and goes - it may stay fine for a few minutes, then the next screen it gets all garbled again. If I reseat that long cable it's fine for a while -- last night it was fine. I played for a couple of hours and shut it off/on a few times to make sure..weird.

lol..uhm..yeah, I put the right amount of balls in (4).

As I mentioned a few times - I don't have another WPC DMD. Maybe you can send one over?

I think the ball thing was a fluke / coincidence. Although, last night when I thought everything was fine I replaced the balls again, and the ball search problem reared it's ugly head. I think that's an opto problem..I don't know why it works fine with old balls versus new ones though

Cool thanks...I'll try the cables out first before switching the monopoly display - like you said, it would only answer part of the question.

I have all the new cables, but only replaced the one...I'll do the rest and see.

Where/how do I identify the logic section of the driver board?

Alright..couldn't take it, had to go home at lunch and replace the rest of the cables. Although it's still early to tell - everything is good again. The real test will be tonight when I go home to see if it's still fine.

I need to figure out this ball trough problem next. I think the balls are getting physically stuck. When I was playing, I noticed that I could see the balls backed up in the trough. When the game started searching, I shook the machine and they fell into place. I still find it weird that the old balls don't have this problem, but I'll try tonight to clear any debris that may be lodged in there or something.

Success!!! I've been playing (and fiddling) for like 3 hours and the DMD issue is gonzo! The ribbon replacement did the trick.

The ball thing. Yeah, insert eh? I'll try that. I studied that stupid trough for the better of an hour...just letting the machine empty the trough / refill. They typically get stuck when there is 3 or less...weight i guess...and they get stuck about 1/3rd of the way from the end. I've seen the magnetize theory tossed around - I'll definitely try an insert, but the thing is when I first tried this they were completely new balls. I can't imagine they would get magnetized that fast. Even now, I've really only used them for a dozen games or so. Also, why wouldn't the other balls get magnetized? Weird.

Did you make this insert or buy it?

Thanks everyone..I seriously doubt I would even own a pin if I didn't have access to this community. You guys are great!

Mike

Hey I have a question regarding the magnetized ball thing. I have a Grand Lizard. It has 2 magnets, but I've never had an issue with magnetized balls. Why not?

Also, I have one other issue with DH - the switch on the right ramp "switch 38 - right ramp make". Can someone tell me how you test these? I guess this is an opto? Is it typically the receiver or the sender that goes? Do I need to replace both - like is it a married pair?

Thanks

I don't think it's the optos - I can see the balls getting physically stuck in the trough. There aren't any divots in the trough that I can see, and I've cleaned out any debris. It's gotta be the magnet thing...it just has to!

Thanks for the info. I'll try this tonight