(Topic ID: 239876)

Fish Tales out hole and trough issue, won't advance ball.

By Todd_Robinett

5 years ago



Topic Stats

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Linked Games

#1 5 years ago

Hello, I am having trouble with my #Fish Tales. First of all, when I start it up, the screen flashes "factory presets restored" and "bookkeeping cleared" and it won't boot until I press one of the service buttons. I took the balls out to look under play field, and when i put them back in they wouldn't advance from the out hole to the trough. But when I manually pushed them to the trough, the game would recognize them and allow me to start a game. But then wouldn't kick the ball into the shooter lane. I started by changing the batteries since the factory presets were restored, unsure if the batteries had something to do with it. I am not very experienced with pinball repair and would greatly appreciate any advice. Cheers!

#2 5 years ago
Quoted from Todd_Robinett:

Hello, I am having trouble with my #Fish Tales. First of all, when I start it up, the screen flashes "factory presets restored" and "bookkeeping cleared" and it won't boot until I press one of the service buttons. I took the balls out to look under play field, and when i put them back in they wouldn't advance from the out hole to the trough. But when I manually pushed them to the trough, the game would recognize them and allow me to start a game. But then wouldn't kick the ball into the shooter lane. I started by changing the batteries since the factory presets were restored, unsure if the batteries had something to do with it. I am not very experienced with pinball repair and would greatly appreciate any advice. Cheers!

Is the battery holder on the CPU board and and if so, any corrosion to the battery holder contacts? Are the text errors now gone?

Do you know how to run a switch test and check each switch position with a ball? The outhole switch may simply need an adjustment or cleaning.

Switch Maintainence.
Here are the procedures for maintaining WPC switches:

Micro-switch: no maintainence required. Can adjust the actuator arm only by rotating the switch in its bracket. Do not BEND the activator arm! Loosen the two screws holding the switch, and rotate the switch to adjust the activator arm. Re-tighten the screws, but not too tight as it will bind the switch mechanism.
Blade or Leaf switch: clean with a business card inserted between the contacts. Squeeze the contacts closed, and remove the business card. Do not use a file on these gold plated contacts! Re-adjust the contact spacing for correct operation.
Opto switches: use a Q-Tip and some Windex. Dip the Q-tip in the Windex, and clean the opto's two LED's (receiver and transmitter) with the Q-tip.

#3 5 years ago
Quoted from wayout440:

Is the battery holder on the CPU board and and if so, any corrosion to the battery holder contacts? Are the text errors now gone?
Do you know how to run a switch test and check each switch position with a ball? The outhole switch may simply need an adjustment or cleaning.
Switch Maintainence.
Here are the procedures for maintaining WPC switches:
Micro-switch: no maintainence required. Can adjust the actuator arm only by rotating the switch in its bracket. Do not BEND the activator arm! Loosen the two screws holding the switch, and rotate the switch to adjust the activator arm. Re-tighten the screws, but not too tight as it will bind the switch mechanism.
Blade or Leaf switch: clean with a business card inserted between the contacts. Squeeze the contacts closed, and remove the business card. Do not use a file on these gold plated contacts! Re-adjust the contact spacing for correct operation.
Opto switches: use a Q-Tip and some Windex. Dip the Q-tip in the Windex, and clean the opto's two LED's (receiver and transmitter) with the Q-tip.

Hey Thanks, Im going to do the switch test tonight and give a look at the switches. I'll report back...

#4 5 years ago

To add to what wayout said, the factory settings restored message comes from a failure in the battery circuit.

If the batteries are dead or the holder is corroded and the current isn’t passing then you will get that message everytime you turn the machine on.

If the holder is clean and you are confident that the circuits are being made start with new batteries. If that isn’t working then a dmm will help you see if you are getting voltage beyond the batteries to the board.

Dave

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