(Topic ID: 258265)

F14 Tomcat Both Diverters Not Firing

By Fonzie_Batman

4 years ago


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  • 11 posts
  • 4 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 4 years ago by pinmike
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f24 purpleyellow wires to this board (resized).PNG
#1 4 years ago

This is my first machine and first repair so please be patient as I'm still learning the inner workings of my machine.

Upon booting up my machine the other week, both diverters would not fire. As a result my F14 is unplayable until I can fix the issue.

I went through the in machine diagnosis process. All solenoids were firing properly except for the upper and lower diverters. I checked out the coils and solenoids for the two diverters under the playfield. Solenoids moved when I manually pushed them (not stuck) and the coils appear fine. I also used a DMM to test the diode for each coil and no issue.

I followed the blue/black and blue/green wiring from the two coils to the backbox where I saw they hooked to 1J19. I followed the circuit board from 1J19 and saw one diverter connection went to a 2N441 at Q78 and then a TP122 at Q79. The other went to a 2N441 at Q76 and then a TP122 at Q77. I tested all 4 with my DMM in circuit. Q79 and Q77 were good for sure. Q78 and Q76 inconclusive as I got same resistance when switching between positive and negative DMM probes. My research says that is not uncommon when testing in circuit.

A violet/yellow wire daisy chains from one of the diverter coils to the other diverter coil that is not functioning. I followed this wire to the backbox and connected to another board which I am not positive what it does. I have included a picture of this board in this post. This board had a single fuse on it. I checked the fuse and all seemed good.

I am not certain where to look next to troubleshoot this issue. Any assistance to this newbie would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

f24 purpleyellow wires to this board (resized).PNGf24 purpleyellow wires to this board (resized).PNG
#2 4 years ago
Quoted from Fonzie_Batman:

I am not positive what it does. I have included a picture of this board in this post. This board had a single fuse on it. I checked the fuse and all seemed good.

This board is called Flipper power supply. It makes power for the flippers and the other high voltage coils in the game.

Quoted from Fonzie_Batman:

A violet/yellow wire daisy chains from one of the diverter coils to the other diverter coil that is not functioning.

Did you check for voltage on this wire?

Quoted from Fonzie_Batman:

Any assistance to this newbie would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Have you downloaded a manual, it will save you from following these wires thru the game as it will tell where they go.

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=804

#3 4 years ago

Did you check for blown fuses on the boards in the backbox?First step is to check fuses pull them out and test with meter.
Testing diodes on coils you have to remove one leg of diode to get a correct reading.Coils very seldom every go bad unless they are fried/burnt,coil transistors do go bad or shorted

Very Long post much easier if listed like this
Problem 1.
Problem 2.
Ect.

#4 4 years ago

Thanks Grumpy and pinmike

Every fuse in backbox has been checked. No issues there.
Did download manual. Thanks
I checked voltage on the violet/yellow wire with machine on (DMM set to DC, red probe on wire terminal at its fuse, black wire on ground). I got an Open Line reading.

Any thoughts on next steps? Thanks

#5 4 years ago
Quoted from Fonzie_Batman:

black wire on ground). I got an Open Line reading.

Where did you find this black wire? Otherwise you can use the ground braid in the BB or cabinet.
Most of time the purple/yellow power wire is daisy chained from Line of Death Kickback coil. There is a lot of vibration on this coil and the wire may have broken off. This coil is on the top of the play field under a plastic. Give it a look see.

#6 4 years ago

Sorry I mistyped. I should have said "DMM set to DC, red probe on purple/yellow wire terminal at its fuse, black probe from the DMM on ground braid".

That said, I might have been premature with my diagnosis. Not trusting my cheap multimeter at the moment. Will return when I am confident the info is reliable. Appreciate the help so far.

#7 4 years ago

Check the voltage on the flipper coil. This will let you know if your meter is working or not.

#8 4 years ago

Dont know why the transistors and pia at 50 blow on these all the time, mine has done it twice, and blew the bridge rectifier on the flipper power supply.

#9 4 years ago
Quoted from crlush:

Dont know why the transistors and pia at 50 blow on these all the time, mine has done it twice, and blew the bridge rectifier on the flipper power supply.

Did you get it fixed or still having issues?

#10 4 years ago
Quoted from pinmike:

Did you get it fixed or still having issues?

Yea im a pro when that problem happens (its never blown while I was playing it to see what caused it and of course I wasnt home either when the smoke comes out) I see alot of f-14s with the same problem.

#11 4 years ago
Quoted from crlush:

Yea im a pro when that problem happens (its never blown while I was playing it to see what caused it and of course I wasnt home either when the smoke comes out) I see alot of f-14s with the same problem.

That’s good

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