Quoted from JP1993:Thanks for all the suggestions on the T-Rex not eating the ball issue I'm having - definitely appreciate the thoughts and help. Spent some time with the machine did worked through the diagnostic checks recommended and while I haven't gotten to the final solution yet, it seems like I've definitely eliminated quite of few of the other potential issues sources (which is a win for sure). I did check the main cable conduit to him and all seems good with no cracking of the wires - so I think I'm good there. I also ran the T-Rex diagnostics and it looks like he's doing everything he's supposed to (all the switches check-out - top/bottom/center/left/right and I can even get him to "chomp" when he's in the up position (all the switches on the diagnostic menu check out good). The issue still remains that his jaw doesn't "close" around the ball when he's in the full down position in game mode (or diagnostics mode for that matter) - but he does everything else perfect. In the diagnostics mode, I did try the trigger/jaw test when he was fully "down" but nothing happened, but I don't know if that's really a diagnostic test protocol or not (in the down position).
When he does go down to pick up the ball, is his jaw supposed to "close" around the ball in a separate action trigger or is this more of a "friction" action where the jaws simply envelope the ball and then eat/dispose of it when it "chomps" when it's fully up? If it's a "friction" issue, was thinking may I need to tighten up the jaw or something similar?
Thanks again for any thoughts or past experiences - think I'm getting close!
Mine was having this same issue and I ended up having to replace the black wire that runs to TREX. It's a known problem that I found in a post somewhere but my issue was what you described - chomps fine when vertical, won't chomp when horizontal. Something about a black wire rubbing wrong or not being long enough, don't remember exactly the issue, but replaced the wire and it works fine now. Sorry for the really crappy description. I'm sure a few pinside searches will turn up a much more thorough solution.
The TREX "closes" around the ball, brings it up vertical and it falls into the subway. It doesn't "hold" the ball in it's teeth, just grabs it into it's mouth.