OK, working on a Williams Lucky Ace 1974

When I try to start a game, the score motor keeps running, the bonus relay keeps activating, even though the bonus count unit under the playfield reaches it's zero position - keeps trying to go on

I'm not a great EM tech, so bear with me.

Thanks,

RussMyers

All 4 score reels seem to be resetting to zero OK, although I am not sure what the position of the 3 switches on each reel should be in when they are at zero.

The score reel reset relay in the back box keeps energizing as well, although the reels seem to all be at zero.

RM

Yes, I tried doing this since when the bonus unit reaches the zero position, it looks like it is attempting to step back up to the first "1000" position, and not making it. I manually moved it up one, hoping that would satisfy it, but it just resets to zero again and keeps running.

OK, so when the bonus unit transitions from the zero position, to the first "1000" position, how does it know that, and what makes it stop running and kick the ball to the shooter lane? Maybe whatever switch tells it it's at the 1000 position and to do the next thing isn't working.

RussM

OK, all 4 score reels reset to Zero.

All 3 switches on all 4 score reels are Open when at the Zero position.

The score motor keeps running, and the bonus relay keeps activating, even though the bonus count unit under the playfield reaches it's zero position.

The Bonus Unit Open At Zero switch is indeed open at the zero point, and closed otherwise.

The Score Reel Reset relay in the backbox keeps firing, even though all reels are at zero.

It looks like the Bonus Unit is trying is trying to step back up to the 1000 position and not making it.

The 1000 pt bonus level lamp flashes when this happens.

If I manually step it up one position while it is running it still does not stop.

I do not know what to try next.

RussM

OK, I am looking at the schematic, but I am not well used to reading them.

I also have tried narrowing it down after talking to another pinball tech.

I unplugged both jones plugs in the backbox, and when I powered it on and hit start - the problem disappeared, so I would conclude it's in the backbox.

To narrow it further, it's the jones plug on the right hand side of the backbox.

Are there any switches in the backbox (other than the ones on the score reels) that would call for the score reel reset relay to be active?

RussM

I have quadruple-checked the score reel switches - they are all open at the zero point

If I reach down to the bottom of the cabinet and hold open the energized reset relay on , the game stops trying to reset the score reels (obviously) and kicks a ball to the shooter lane

What energizes the reset relay in the bottom of the cabinet?

RussM

That's what I said

I will check these.

RM

OK, i was working through the start up sequence with some help, and I was told to check the Ball Count Unit in the backbox.

It was frozen solid from dried-out grease.

Following the Pinball Ninja's video, I took the Ball Count Unit apart, cleaned out all of the old grease, re-lubed with teflon gel, and now it steps up and resets no problem.

I am absolutely sure that I put everything back the way it was, and the unit is moving as it should (I took pics)

The constant attempts of the game to reset the score reels has stopped.

Now I have a new problem - when I hit the start button now, nothing happens.

I'm going to start a new thread.

RussMyers

OK, if anyone follows this thread now or in the future, the Ball Count Unit and Credit Unit were both frozen solid from old dried out grease on the pivot points.

Following Youtube vids (take pictures of the units before you pull off the springs and pivots - that saved my butt), used lighter fluid to loosen them off. cleaned all old grease off, and re-lubed with teflon gel.

Also cleaned and lubed the stepper fingers and contacts.

Now they both step up and down with ease, the game will credit up, start a game, kick the ball into the shooter lane.

It's ALIVE.

Have to track down some small issues; now the 10s reel will not reset reliably - that was working fine.

Thanks,

RussMyers