My flippers on the upper playfield don't work during normal gameplay. Seems like I have a randomly activating switch on the lower pf. Once the game detects a hit on any of the switches in the lower playfield it will shut down the flippers on the upper pf. I put the game into switch test and I don't get any other random switches firing in test, but does anyone know what shots makes Popeye let out a low groan like "ohh". I have heard that sound bite and seen small amounts of point being rewarded at weird times, normally when just hitting the flippers. That might be firing and shutting off the upper playfield. The upper playfield works perfectly during multiball when all flippers are enabled, so it has to be a lower playfield switch firing, but I can't figure out which one. Anyone else experienced this or maybe know where to look?

I reseated everything on the fliptronic board. In a test game, bottom flippers worked just fine now and the upper flippers worked great on one trip to the upper playfield, then they were dead after that. I have a STTNG and a JD and I believe the fliptronics boards are compatible, so I am going to try swapping one in and see if that changes anything.

Ok, so I swapped fliptronics boards and the issue with the upper flippers is still there. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. The game recognizes the ball is going up the escalator to get to the upper playfield, but it's almost like it turns off the upper playfield too early when it gets up there. Interesting enough, it seems like they always work during multiball. Any other Popeye owners seen that before or know what lets the game know that the ball is still on the upper playfield?

Had another person tell me this. Sounds like this may be it and that would explain why everything works great in test mode too.

"It's a randomly activating switch on the lower pf. Once the game detects a hit on any of the switches in the lower playfield it will shut down the flippers on the upper pf. Put the game into switch test and try thumping on the pf with your fist to see if you can get any switches to spontaneously activate. If that yields nothing, inspect all the roller over switches and target switches and other rebound switches behind rubber rings. If after all that you don't see anything can be a problem with an opto switch or the opto driver board."

I don't get any other random switches firing in test, but does anyone know what shots makes Popeye let out a low groan like "owe". I have heard that sound bite and seen small amounts of point being rewarded at weird times. That might be firing and shutting off the upper playfield.

I'm going to go through it tonight. It loads into the elevator and lets you choose your award, then fires it up to the upper playfield. The music changes for the upper playfield, but neither flipper works and the music changes back right away, so the ball just rolls down the center drain hole to the lower playfield.

Will do. Thanks!

Nice. That would make perfect sense. I didn't get a chance to look at it last night, but I will tonight and I will check that first. Thanks guys.

I pulled the ramp when I shopped it, and I know that bracket is broken for the opto there, so there is a good chance it is loose or misaligned.