I don't know if this one behaves like system 7 games, but after changing the batteries on my BK I have to switch it on, let it boot, then quickly switch it off and back on again to get it to boot past audit mode (which is what i *think* you're getting here, but i may be wrong). Also-- I'm not certain, but i think the coin door may have to be open when you do the on/off/on trick. However, this should *only* happen when the batteries were changed or RAM replaced on board. Could indicate a problem with ram or memory circuit on mpu if it consistently boots to audit mode...though the on/off/on should allow you to bypass it even with no batteries in the game, as far as i know.

Good luck!

Why do you have a battery and nvram?

Door does need to be open

Can you advance through the audits? Sometimes it seems like scrolling through to the end fixed things

Check voltage at the ram chip itself?

If there’s a memory clear procedure on System 7 games give that a try.

It might be on that sticker in the backbox.

scroll through the audits and the game should reset after you go passed setting #50. It should then boot into attract mode.
If not 1 of 2 things is going on . The game thinks the coin door is closed (can be bad switch, bad wiring, or bad chips on teh MPU boards) Or it's a bad 5101 Ram chip.

Was the coin door closed?

Open coil door before even turning the game on. Don't close it until you're in attract mode. The game can't write to the ram while the door is closed

I agree, I think it is booting up into audit mode. I would try the turning off and back on real quick and see what happens. FYI Laser Cue is a system 7 game.

Hey I just took another look at your battery board. Why do you have a red jumper on the diode? The board should not have the jumper.

https://www.tntamusementsstore.com/wptnt/product/franks-famous-battery-board/

The diode is supposed to prevent the button cell from being charged when the game is on. I would remove the wire, replace the battery and see what happens.

Also, there is a procedure in the game manual to reset the memory. In audit mode, step to function 45 in the Player 1 display and press Advance. This should clear the memory and reset game to factory defaults.

Well I think you have established it consistently only boots into audit mode. I think it is time to replace the RAM chip. If board work is beyond your skill level find a local who can do it for you, or send it out to be repaired.

Williams don't have rechargeable batteries.

Correct.....and the lithium battery on the board is not rechargeable either. But the jumper makes it a rechargeable configuration, which is why it needs to be removed.

Except the Williams won't recharge it, since it doesn't recharge its batteries and already has a blocking diode on the board?

There is already a blocking diode on the cpu board itself. This would be the 2nd one.

You are 2 seconds faster

I guess it all depends how the battery board is wired to the MPU. Measure voltage at the jumper with the game on. If you read 3.x volts you can leave it. If you read 5.x volts you need to remove it.

Yup, This is the correct next step although you can check one more thing that has a likelihood of about 0.5% chance. Put a meter on the coin door closed switch and verify that it is working correctly. This is the the white switch with the big button that releases when you open the coin door. If that switch is locked on, (or if the wires are for some reason jumpered to each other), you can't get out of audit mode.

If the switch wiring checks out then it's 99% likely a bad 5101 Ram and about 1% possible that it's bad chips that receive the coin door closed signal on the mpu board.

Occasionally I find the 5101 already socketed on system 7 boards (from previous repairs). If it is pull the ram and pop in an NVRAM and you can delete the battery holder.

yes, that will work

I'm working on a Laser Cue as well that's doing all sorts of crazy things. It will boot up and go into attract mode. When you press the start button the drop targets will do several re-sets the bell starts ringing and then sometimes crash sounding like the sound is winding down.. If it doesn't crash and you push one of the standup targets it then crashes. Before it crashes the flippers work, slings etc. Only the outhole kicker will not load a ball into the shooter lane. The driver board is a good re-built with new female pins for the two boards to connect. The MPU has had no work. If you push the MPU test button a 9 is displayed. The game had the wrong out hole kicker coil without a diode. Could this have damaged the MPU? Also the connectors on the left side of the MPU aren't keyed and were off the board. Can someone tell me the correct placement? There is a black wire connector, brown, and 2 more I believe mixed colors. I want to double check even though they pretty much fall into place with age. Thanks!

System 7 MPU Board Self Test (Pressing the Diagnostic Button)

0 - Test Passed
1 - IC13 RAM Faulty
2 - IC16 RAM Faulty
3 - IC17 ROM 2 Faulty
4 - IC17 ROM 2 Faulty
5 - IC20 ROM I Faulty
6 - IC14 Game ROM 1 Faulty
7 - IC26 Game ROM 0 Faulty
8 - IC19 CMOS RAM or memory protect circuit faulty
9 - Coin-door closed, memory protect circuit faulty, or IC19 CMOS RAM Faulty.

Yes I already know that. Could that missing diode have toasted the IC?

Glad you got it going! Now have some fun!

Sweet, I’m glad it’s up and running again.

Just ordered one.

Hey guys. I'm running into the same problem. I just did a quick check on the board, and someone prior to me socketed the RAM chip. I had ordered a new 5101 NVRAM from barakandl . After looking at the board, I see that there are two lifted pads and some buss wire repairs. They seem to check out fine through continuity tests. I also noticed that two sets of legs had bridged connections. From my personal limited experience, I have never seen a RAM chip with bridged connections. I was going to clean it up after work today, but thought I'd get some confirmation first. Should there be any bridged connections on the board?

I did check and it does appear to have some bridged connections.

I've tried a ton of things and still am getting Diagnostic code 8- IC19 CMOS RAM or memory protect circuit faulty

I've checked for continuity along all of the pins on the MPU and the Solenoid driver board. I've reflowed solder on all the header pins on both boards, checked the socketed connection on IC19 5101 chip and it's good. I have a new 5101 NVRAM chip installed and still getting the error. All of the legs are connected and show continuity. Everything from what I can tell is making good electrical connection. Tried the on/off/on trick and also going through the audit modes to reset and still the same error. Will let my head clear and try again tomorrow, but any thoughts would be much appreciated!

I'll start a new thread to see if I can get more assistance.

Jumping in here after 3 years. Similar problems with a Laser Cue. Mine was working fine, then suddenly would not start. Start/credit button does not seem to register. Traced both wires throughout entire game of the switch and show 100% continuity.

Stumped.