I am a total novice at the pinball repair game. But circumstances demand that I get my hands dirty...so...here I go.
My F-14 had a weak upper right flipper.
Close inspection revealed a broken EOS which I ordered and installed.
What Im finding now that the flipper is back in, I have flipper strength and functionality when the game is in test mode with the door open...when the door is shut and a quarter is dropped I hear the clicks but no ball eject and NO flipper functionality at all.
Any clues, tips, or wise words appreciated.
Much Thanks

#2 11 years ago

KRK

Spudgunman

Inactive member

Seattle, WA

11y 52,900 1,299 9 24

I don't remember if f14 had power safety on coin door switch on or if that was only newer units. If so that is where my guess is ...the coin door switch and your flipper power

Do no flippers work? What clicks?
No eject means solenoid issues or switch issues..
In test mode if you enter the switch test function... What's going on there?

Ball trough is my other guess.. Did you put all the balls back into the game?

#3 11 years ago

SBC

castlesteve

CCA

Lexington, KY

11y 40,650 953 15 13

F14 needs all 4 balls in game to operate in normal mode. Test mode us ok without.

Also check the eos on main flippers and flipper buttons. They're all linked

Lastly, if you had a bad eos, chances are you burned up the coil and it won't pull strong anymore. Get new coils in pairs and new sleeves

#4 11 years ago

???

pinmike

Inactive member

Bossier City, LA

13y 56,600 5,368

OP
Quoted from chromium:
no ball eject and NO flipper functionality at all.
Any clues, tips, or wise words appreciated.

Check the ball through switch and see if it adjusted/properly working,You can test it in switch test.Try this first.

Is the coil in good shape and not burnt up?

#5 11 years ago

CLN

chromium

Inactive member

Portland, OR

11y 7,500 3 3

Quoted from castlesteve:
F14 needs all 4 balls in game to operate in normal mode. Test mode us ok without.

Hey thanks!! This was a beautifully simple solution!
All flippers working and I took a look at all EOS...it all looks ok.

Now, how about this, when I installed the new EOS the capasitor wires were too short to reconnect.
Now I have that new capasitor ordered, BUT will playing the game before I get that installed wreck the new EOS?
Can anyone break down the EOS capasitor relationship for me?

#6 11 years ago

???

pinmike

Inactive member

Bossier City, LA

13y 56,600 5,368

OP
Quoted from chromium:
Can anyone break down the EOS capasitor relationship for me?

The capasitor is just there to reduce the sparks no big deal.The flipper will work without it.

#7 11 years ago

KLH

KenH

Pinside member

Sierra Vista, AZ

11y 49,900 769 11

OP
Quoted from chromium:
Can anyone break down the EOS capasitor relationship for me?

Earlier games didn't even have the 'capacitor'. But put it in when you get it, it will prolong the life of the EOS.

#8 11 years ago

AJD

the_pin_family

Inactive member

Herndon, VA

12y 31,900 2,363 8

Lmao! The newbie forgot to put all the balls back in.....oh wait, I did that last week. Carry on. Lol

#9 11 years ago

MST

mystic

Inactive member

Nashville, TN

12y 34,900 1,763 19

You could just solder on extensions to the capacitor wire...

#10 11 years ago

CLN

chromium

Inactive member

Portland, OR

11y 7,500 3 3

Quoted from the_pin_family:
Lmao! The newbie forgot to put all the balls back in.....oh wait, I did that last week. Carry on. Lol

I am certain it just wouldn't seem right if my first attempt at diagnosing and repairing didn't have a totally transparent tragically simple solution (for which I am eternally grateful!(and only a tiny bit embarassed)).

Cheers to you all for the tips and support!

#11 11 years ago

BKB

the96stang

Bushey Bro's

Enfield, CT

12y 110K 2,938 16 13

My turn. My F14 Lower left flipper chatters. What should I do? Rebuild it?

#12 11 years ago

???

pinmike

Inactive member

Bossier City, LA

13y 56,600 5,368

Quoted from the96stang:
My turn. My F14 Lower left flipper chatters. What should I do? Rebuild it?

Check the diodes on that flipper coil,Could be loose/faulty/bad diode

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