I finally decided to get into the game and bought my first pinball. 1985/86 High Speed. Game works pretty well. I want to get into repairing bits and pieces, but I have no need to do a major rebuild. I would love to show my 17 yr old son these things too as I am a firm believer that understanding what makes these machines tick is an important thing for all men to learn. (Coils, mechanical levers, general electronics....)

All of that being said, I would love for someone to point me in the direction of good posts to help me understand repair of the components and possible easy fix ideas.

My first question would be is there a good way to test and or fix a 7 digit alph/numeric display? My Player 1 display seems dead. It appears as though of my 4 displays I have 3 different types/styles. I assume someone replaced one of the alpha/numeric displays with something not standard. I looked online and couldn't find anything under 100 bucks! Is there an aftermarket replacement less expensive?

Thanks in Advance--I will keep looking around--but would love to spend my time in the most productive places so any help is appreciated.

The Dragon

Thanks so much

Is there anyway to see what the original thread titles are in the High Speed Forum--I will keep looking? I am definitely getting lost in a rabbit hole here. SO So So much information---thanks to all

I totally agree with teaching daughters too--I just gotta figure out how to get her off of her phone first

thanks a million,

The Dragon

UPDATE--tell me if I am missing something before I go and spend a lot of money

I switched the Player 1 with Player 2 (cable switch) and got nothing--figured I would get this as player 1 display is blank during play.
I couldn't get the player 2 (a working display) to work on player 1 cable either? This got me thinking that the pins on player 1 might have a solder problem. Removed the board and took it to my buddy who says the solder joints look great. He also said that cables don't usually go bad and now I am wondering if there is something that I am missing? Does anyone see something that this newbie doesn't? I could not get my good #2 alpha numeric display to work in the player one slot and I was wondering if I might have 2 problems (bad output pin slot and bad display) or something else?

thanks in advance for all the advice

The Dragon

Thanks for the reply gents--I hope this is clear.

I removed the player 2 cable from display and plugged it into PL1. Nothing showed on either display. I removed the player 1 cable and the display itself and plugged it into the PL2 (from display board--ribbon cable wasn't long enough) nothing. I think I tried every combo of cable and/or display to and from PL1 and PL2. The display 2 works when the config is back to what it was originally. I cannot get display 2 to work with PL1 (output pins) from display board. My display 1 looks funky too. This display seems like someone epoxy glued it to the board. (FYI)

It seems like I might have 2 problems display and display board (PL1)? and I was wondering if there is a good way to test any of these in another way. I am no expert, but I am mechanically inclined. I hope this makes it a bit more clear.

Yes I have a PL2 functioning display after reconfig.

thanks

Nope--I am guessing I cannot use a multimeter?

please forgive my ignorance--does this logic probe check for continuity? I guess I could look it up right? Maybe it's looking for open/shut? I am just guessing here.

thanks for playing along--I just spent 2 hours cleaning my playfield and removing ramps and such to replace bulbs under the hard to reach areas and find it rather therapeutic--now I got to get a specific toolbox for this stuff and I am guessing one of these logic probe needs to be in there.

much appreciated

The Dragon

this is a great idea--I saw a bunch of screws and nuts that I would like to make look more uniform inside. Is there an industry standard for screws and such inside?

You are of great help

thank you