So I'm working on the sexy, but dirty Genie - and I'm having a real hard time getting the edge connector pins removed the connector housing. I bought the cheap tool (http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/77-HTA1884): ...but I'm not having any luck. Do I really have to buy this $100 tool (http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/77-465195-2), or is there any easier way? What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions would be appreciated - THANKS!

Thanks pdman. This is what I was trying to do....but I wasn't having any luck. I even used the new connectors as a reference to make sure I was putting the tool on the under side of the pin and pushing in the correct direction. Yeah, most have heavy acid damage, so I'll give it another try tonight with the water/vinegar. Thanks again for the help!

Normally, I think I'm pretty mechanically inclined. In this case, I must be an idiot... Perhaps the problem was I wasn't drinking. I'll fix that tonight.

THANK YOU!!! ...I knew it had to be harder than people were saying. I sure wish I'd seen this post an hour ago, as it would have saved me some time. HOWEVER - I did find all the part numbers for the connector housings here: http://www.pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Gottlieb_System_1#Connector_Designations With the part numbers, a quick google search lead me to Great Planes Electronics (GPE) - where I went ahead and ordered the 10 housings I needed. For about $16 including shipping, it's more than worth it to me (my time and fingers are worth more). The only issue I see is that they don't have the 21 pin (part # 09-01-6211), so I went ahead and got the 22 pin instead. I figured if nothing else I could cut/grind off the extra hole.

Thanks for the help guys - very much appreciated. I do have plenty of experience rebuilding connectors, but this is my 1st Gottlieb System 1.

Replace the male pins on the board also if you want to do it right.

Just FYI - with the exception of the power board, Gottlieb System 1's don't have male pins - they are all 'edge connect' (see pic below). Regardless, I'm getting all new boards so it won't be an issue either way.

s1cpu1.jpg

Nope, they aren't IDC. Here's what I'm dealing with.....

s1con3.jpg

I'm no expert - just going by what I see on Clay's system 1 guide:

"No System1 game should have "IDC" (Insulation Displacement) connectors (IDC connectors were introduced with Gottlieb System80 games.) If a system1 game does have IDC connectors, someone probably transplanted them to the game you're working with."

But yes, they do take .156 molex pins, and look exactly like the picture above. ....and hey - no offense taken at all - my bad if my posts came across that way. I'm happy for the help!

I'm not doubting you - but evidently, I'm just not as skilled. I was trying with the same tool shown above, and even tried on several pins that were not corroded - but still no luck. Maybe if I had three hands...

Anyway, I got new connector housings from GPE - and that was the best $16 I've spent. I finished re-building the connectors last night, and installed the new Pascal board. ....now I just need to rebuild the flippers, and give it one more good looking over before powering it up. ....getting close.

Thanks for the info Ed. It looks like I had the wrong tool. Here's the one I purchased:

Extractor Tool .156" crimp terminals
#77-HTA1884
Pin extractor tool for single and dual row connector housings.
Weight: 0.11 oz

...figures. Oh well - live and learn.