I have a 1954 Williams Thunderbird pinball machine and the flippers do not work. I am not an expert on pinball fixing so i was wondering hot to fix them What could be wrong with it? By the way it is a EM machine
(Topic ID: 268311)
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Thunderbird
Williams, 1954
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Ottawa, ON
I have a Williams 1954 Spitfire.
What is wrong with the flippers?
These games have ‘impulse flippers’. You press either button and both flippers fire. They will not hold up by holding the button, hence the impulse name.
That playfield is super interesting!
Burlington, VT
Quoted from dr_nybble:I have a Williams 1954 Spitfire.
What is wrong with the flippers?
These games have ‘impulse flippers’. You press either button and both flippers fire. They will not hold up by holding the button, hence the impulse name.
That playfield is super interesting!
i do not know what is wrong with it. I just got it a few days ago. Everything else works but the flippers. You press the buttons and it just won't fire.
Quoted from Ineedpinballhelp:i do not know what is wrong with it. I just got it a few days ago. Everything else works but the flippers. You press the buttons and it just won't fire.
Quoted from V_piscopo:Have you checked all the fuses yet with DMM?
Quoted from V_piscopo:Have you checked all the fuses yet with DMM?
I am new to this, so exactly how do i check the DMM's?
Quoted from Ineedpinballhelp:I am new to this, so exactly how do i check the DMM's?
Since you probably dont have a DMM, digital multi meter, replace the fuse with a new fuse. Look for one under the playfield by the flippers.
Quoted from TheLaw:Since you probably dont have a DMM, digital multi meter, replace the fuse with a new fuse. Look for one under the playfield by the flippers.
I have replaced all of the fuses. I have taken a picture of it. Here it is below. I also put other picture of the pinball machine. Let me also mention it is a 1954 EM Williams Thunderbird
205975A8-DEE1-4ABA-B00A-24883D9D6F48 (resized).jpeg49ABCFBB-47B1-4B0D-A4CD-04B0F682DFB1 (resized).jpeg4CA54EE7-479C-4F5E-8E1C-E4A11C1C0B14 (resized).jpeg90B3065E-AE9F-4A80-82D9-D9F8306F9BA5 (resized).jpegB2D2B03D-6C37-4161-946D-6ABD506B1F48 (resized).jpegQuoted from dr_nybble:Can you start a game? Do the balls release?
Do you have a multimeter?
This pinball is simple so all you have to do to start a game by pulling back the stick. So yes i can start a game. Everything works in it but the flippers. I also do not have a multimeter.
The flippers energize through a normally closed switch on the Flipper Relay. Here is what the schematic for my 1954 Williams Spitfire looks like:
Find the flipper relay and inspect its switches. One switch should be open and another closed. If you move the relay by hand (with power removed from the game) their states should change.
Also look for any loose wires.
Quoted from dr_nybble:Here is what my Flipper Relay looks like:[quoted image]
I have found the flipper relay andytbibg wrong with it? And how do I test if the coil is bad
3A731FF3-BF61-4097-A42B-CBB09EA8D9DC (resized).jpeg50EA5F7A-9190-488A-9E9F-A58F79E4E320 (resized).jpeg67DF8D76-4174-4875-B66C-1B84E20698D4 (resized).jpegPower goes through the closed switch on the flipper relay to the flipper coil. The contacts look like they are touching (which is good), you could clean them by passing a piece of card stock between them, or use a QTip and isopropyl alcohol in case they are not allowing current to flow.
You’d test the flipper coil using the ohm setting on a multimeter.
Quoted from dr_nybble:Power goes through the closed switch on the flipper relay to the flipper coil. The contacts look like they are touching (which is good), you could clean them by passing a piece of card stock between them, or use a QTip and isopropyl alcohol in case they are not allowing current to flow.
You’d test the flipper coil using the ohm setting on a multimeter.
I went out and bought a multimeter and no electricity is going threw the coil, so maybe it is just a bigger problem with the whole pinball machine?
You’ve said that it works otherwise? You press the start button or drop a nickel, the score resets, balls are released from the trough, bumpers work etc.?
Measure the resistance of the flipper coil using the Ohm setting of the multimeter, what does it read? Try on a good coil to compare.
Normally there will not be voltage at the flipper coil unless the flipper button is pressed. It is also 50AC.
image (resized).jpg
Do this with the machine unplugged.
Quoted from dr_nybble:You’ve said that it works otherwise? You press the start button or drop a nickel, the score resets, balls are released from the trough, bumpers work etc.?
Measure the resistance of the flipper coil using the Ohm setting of the multimeter, what does it read? Try on a good coil to compare.
Normally there will not be voltage at the flipper coil unless the flipper button is pressed. It is also 50AC.
[quoted image]
Do this with the machine unplugged.
Yeah i don't know i think i just need to hire someone.
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