Hi Pinsiders,

Bear with me, I'm an artist.

So, I feel a little weird saying this, but I don't really know how to read a schematic, nor do I know my way around a digital multi-meter. Are there any good tutorials out there to help out a hopeless (but INTERESTED) ludite like myself? I'd like to better understand how they'll help me fix my pins.

Also, a couple of addendum questions: Are EM and Modern/Solid State schematics read the same way, or are they wildily different from one another? What is a reliable and inexpensive multimeter? I've been told mine is so unreliable that it's not worth using.

Thanks for your time and understanding,
Ryan Claytor
Elephant Eater Comics
www.ElephantEater.com

Well, I guess that generally I'm trying to not be such a dunce about working on my own pins. I have an art background and schematics frighten me. Ha-ha! I just don't even know where to start or what they mean, really, because I haven't had ANY electronics training.

To get a little more specific, I'd like to do two things:

1. I have a few pins of my own, mainly SS (but a couple EM's). I'd like to understand how the diagram might help me trouble-shoot minor problems. Example: I have a 1987 Gottlieb/Premier "Monte Carlo." It has 10 drop-targets scattered around the PF. None of them will reset into the up position. (They did not long ago.)

2. I just purchased a project machine (1972 Williams "Swinger"). It's kind of a basket-case, with several things not working. Probably a topic for a different thread, but wondering where to start, and whether or not schematics would help.

Again, my apologies for the rudimentary questions and thanks to those with the patience to walk me through them.

Sincerely,
Ryan Claytor
Elephant Eater Comics
http://www.ElephantEater.com

Thanks, all, for chiming in here. You've given me a ton of great resources to pour over.

This is quite useful. Definitely helps to develop a basic understanding.

Also, wayout440 mentioned...

...and ccotenj, in that thread you linked to, number 3 on your list said:

...but in looking at this page:

http://www.hobbyprojects.com/general_theory/circuit_symbols.html

...there are a lot more the 6 symbols. Any chance you could narrow down the list to those useful for trouble-shooting pinball machines?

I'm still reading through a lot of these, but feel like I'm starting to build a basic understanding. Much appreciated, and for anyone else with helpful hints or additional resources, keep 'em coming!

More thanks,
Ryan Claytor
Elephant Eater Comics
http://www.ElephantEater.com