Hello folks,

Man this hobby keeps you on your toes. Always a new riddle. Love it! Love solving them.

In this episode ...

I have a Theatre of Magic ... and a funny little issue has popped up.

- THIS HAPPENS SPECIFICALLY WHEN ONE BALL IS VANISHED (Locked in the back by the left orbit). At all other times ... the game is behaving normally.

- When a ball has vanished ... the standup target ("Center Ramp Targets") on the left side of the center ramp ADVANCES THE CLOCK. (Normally the right orbit (loop) would advance the clock).

- Also, when the ball has vanished ... 50% of the time ... the LEFT ORBIT RELEASES the Locked ball to start Tiger Saw Multiball. (This is normally only achieved by shooting the Right Orbit)

- Would also like to point out that on the switch matrix ... both Center Ramp Targets (on each side of the center ramp) are on the same box of the switch matrix (Row 2, Column... HOWEVER, only the left target is misbehaving, The "Center Ramp Target" on the Right Side does what it is supposed to.

*** I am assuming this is a diode problem ... however ... I would like to know if there is anything else I should look for. All suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

That Smiley face should be an 8. Not sure what happened there. Ha!

OK ... in switch diagnostics:

- When you hold both the Vanish Lock 1 switch (83) and Captive ball rest (52) at the same time ... then hit The left "Center Ramp Targets" Target ... guess what happens?

The DMD says that Center Ramp Targets (82) and Right Lane Enter (52) fire at the same time.

Thoughts? 82 and 53 are not on the same row or column.

However (52) and (82) are on the same row. And (52) and (53) are on the same column.

Just tried putting a new diode on one of the center ramp targets. switch (82). Did not help.

Facts:

- There are two targets on either side of the center ramp that feed switch matrix 82.

- During normal play all switches work normally.

- When you hold vanish lock 1 (83) and Captive ball rest (52) ... ONLY ONE of the two center ramp targets misbehaves ... yet the other works just fine???

Anyone got a clue?

Thanks

Victory!

First off ... as usual ... thank you all for your wonderful support! The pinball community is so lucky to have you!

Ok ... the verdict:

Just before terryb's post ... My brother in law noticed that the diode on that culprit (the left center ramp targets ... 82) had it's band facing the opposite direction as the other center ramp target. Also ... one of the wires was soldered to the opposite side. So, we reversed the diode and put the wire in the proper place ... and BINGO! Of coarse everything worked!

Terryb ... you were totally right!

Why is this all weird?

Well ... the game worked fine before this problem started. The diode was always in that backward position. Weird. Just plain weird.

Who cares! TOM is flying again!

Once again, many thanks to those who took the time to help us out!

Cheers