I recently picked-up a Rollergames. Love the game and it plays great, but some of the flash lamps aren't working. When I run the solenoid test there is a click, but no flash on Flash 1/C side, Flash 2/C side, and Flash 8/C side. Also, with Flash 10 (Insert GI) there is no noise or flash. Basically, all the flashers at the top work (except two on the back left corner), but none of the lower flashers work (such as the flashers by the in-lanes) and none of the flashers under the playfield work. I changed all the bulbs and checked all the fuses, but no change. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

Did you use LED's for replacements? I know on mine, they don't work in one position, but if you flip them they work.

I have a metal post with a rubber ring at the end of my upper flipper as shown in the picture. Can someone tell me if the post at the end of the upper flipper is supposed to be sleeved rubber or just a bare metal post. I'm assuming that the white ring isn't supposed to be there. Can someone take a picture of theirs?

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I'll take a pic tonight but I'm pretty sure mine is a sleeved rubber

Check connector J4 and make sure it is seated properly. I would check the AC relay for the coils in question and relay boards. Make sure the connectors are plugged in, etc.
Flash 10/11 operate off of the same board. When you tested the fuses did you test them in circuit or pulled out? Just checking as many test fuses while they are in circuit and often get faulty readings. This sounds a lot like either a relay board issues or a fuse.

Make sure a wire has not become broken from one of the lamps causing the chain to go down.

I have a Rollergames for sale if anyone is looking in the Houston area.

Just a metal post on mine

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Stretch7, Actually the ball gate is even different.

I guess a metal post is correct. The gate does look different though. I wonder if there were different version of the game with different posts in this position.

Thanks!

Just a metal post on mine as well.

hmm interesting... can anyone else chime in as to what kind of gate they have?

Metal post with rubber sleeve

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Thanks for everyone's input on the flashers. I kept non-LED bulbs in the flashers (changed the inserts though to LEDs). Also, checked the fuses pulled out and they all checked fine (continuity), as did the connectors. No luck. Going to check the wires one night this week when I have more time. Last time I checked it seemed like the black and orange wires were going to the flashers, but I didn't trace them all the way for any not being connected. On another note, my metal post by the top flipper is just metal (no rubber sleeve). My rubber ring kit came with sleeves for the metal posts, and I was able to put them on all my metal posts except for the one by the flipper since it was thicker then the other posts (so the rubber sleeve wouldn't fit over the post).

What number flashers are down? Can you give me a list?

Orange IIRC are flashers 1-8 and run off of fuse F2C located and come off of the 25V line on the on the aux board.
I had a similar problem. I'll review my notes and refresh my brain tomorrow.

Maybe check the BR for that line if the entire line is down.

In test mode, Flashers 1, 2, 8, 9, and 10 don't work. For Flash 1, 2, and 8, I hear the solenoid click (in test mode) but no flash. I believe these are the two flashers at the top of the Wall of Death since Flash 3 is nearby and it works. Flash 9 (no label in solenoid test mode so no idea what it does) and Flash 10 (Insert GI in solenoid test mode) don't make a click or flash. Except for one flasher close to the S by the SKATE targets, none of the other flashers on or under the playfield work (plus the two I mentioned at the top of the Wall that also don't work). Flash 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 11 all work, as does 12 (A/C select clicks in test mode). Thanks for reviewing your notes. Appreciate it.

This is the correct setup. Should have the rubber sleeve on metal post. That's how mine is setup, and that's the only way I've ever seen them.

Mine is just a metal post on the left, although it looks like at one point it may have had a rubber ring on it (see the black lines in the middle). It was this way when I got the game.

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Still having problems with some of my flashers. Changed fuses, checked connectors, and swapped the relays behind in the back box with the one under the playfield. No change. Some just aren't getting power. All have an orange and a black wire going to them. Need to try and trace those wires but so far get lost trying to do so. Anyone know whether they are all connected to the boards with one connector, or more connectors, and which connector(s)? Thanks for helping me try and solve this mystery.

I had a flasher problem on my Rollergames which turned out to be two connectors swapped over on the interconnect board.

Both are the same size with the same key. Worth just checking against the manual.

I believe flash 9 is for the early production games with the flashers in the backboard so if you don't have these you won't get anything on this test.

Anyone have issues with there VUK working off and on? or, should I say sometimes the ball makes it all the way through the habitrail and to the magnet, and sometimes it goes up to the corner of the habitrail and right back into the VUK. Sometimes more than once. Eventually it will fire the ball freely to the magnet, but by then the magnet is off. Maybe 50% of the time it gets cleanly to the magnet. Checked everything, and everything seems fine. Realigned the habitrail over the VUK etc. No change. Coil works fine. ?????

Bodhi - Keep trying with the alignment of the habitrail. That was an issue with my machine, but once I got it right it works 100% of the time. Just being off a little can make a huge difference.

Andy_B. - Thanks for the tip. I'll check the connectors and see if any are swapped. Everything else seems fine and most of the flashers work (All except Flashers 1 and 2 on the top left corner of The Wall, plus the ones under the playfield don't work either), but I'm open to trying things to fix the problem.

Those relay boards you mentioned in the backbox and under the playfield are for GI lights, not flashers.
Have you tried swapping some of the working flasher bulbs out of the backbox with the ones not working in the playfield?

Thanks for the tip, but I think it's more than that, maybe. I've adjusted the habitrail about every which way and then some. I'll tinker some more when time permits. Maybe try a couple washers to raise or lower it a bit or?

Anyone every have the upper right flipper not be able to get the ball up the wall ramp from the magnet? I just replaced my flipper rubber from a superband to a titan band and now most of the time, when the ball is held by the magnet, it just hits the right side of the wall ramp entrance. The flipper looks adjusted properly, not sure what to look at next. It worked 90% of the time before the change. Any tips?

I tried swapping the working flasher bulbs with those that weren't working and no difference. In looking at the manual Flash 1 and Flash 2 (which don't work for me) seem to be the two at the top of the ramp, plus the flasher bulb under the ramp of the Atomic Whip and the two flashers by the flipper in-lanes. All the other flashers at the top of the game, and the one by the SKATE targets work. All the connectors on the Interconnect Board seem to be in the right place and except for these flashers everything else in the game works great. I'm stumped.

I'm currently having this exact issue myself. What is the habit trail?

The habitrail by the VUK is the metal contraption in the center of the playfield that the ball follows after the VUK kicks the ball up. It's yellow on my game but on some games it isn't painted (just chrome). If it isn't aligned just right then the ball can hit it while traveling up, which can cause it to come back down onto the VUK (or what the game calls "The Pit"). Mine looked like it was aligned, but I had to keep adjusting it until it was just right for it to work 100% of the time (and I used a washer on one of the posts by the VUC). I think it's trial and error to get it right. If the ball pops up but doesn't seem to hit anything (although if it is just scrapping the habitrail it can be hard to tell other than it doesn't always make it around the bend), then I guess something else is going on with the game.

Here is a picture of the habitrail over the VUK. It's the yellow metal piece in the center. As I mentioned in my earlier post, on some games it isn't painted yellow (just metal/chrome).

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Thanks for the reply. My habitrail is chrome and will check out the alignment once I get back from work.

Sorry to be asking again, but the weekend is almost here and that is when I have the time to work on my game. Anyone have any additional suggestions on getting my flashers at Flash 1 and Flash 2 to work (those are the left two at the top of the ramp, as well as most on the playfield, including the two by the flipper in-lanes). I've checked the connections at the boards, changed fuses, and changed the bulbs, but no luck. All I can see is that ever flasher, whether it works or not, seems to have a black and an orange wire soldered to it, but why some work and others don't remains a mystery to me. Thanks for all the suggestions so far, and for any new ones that anyone has.

Hey, sorry I have been out sick for a week or so. I'll go and take a look at my machine now. So as it stands

"Flashers 1, 2, 8, 9, and 10 don't work. For Flash 1, 2, and 8, I hear the solenoid click (in test mode) but no flash."

Is the writing harness that goes to your ramp plugged in? IIRC mine had a molex or two. I'll go and have a look at my machine now.

Flasher 1 is the 1X on the lower playfield and is connected to the lamp board (see pic), Flasher 2 is top two left flashers on the wall (see pic), 10 is the insert illumination relay-when this clicks over your back box should flash on, 8 are your PF flashers (outlines and such)
Flasher One
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Flasher 2

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For 10 I would reflow the connectors on the relay board. This is a known problem on these machines. If you can't do that swap it with a tested and working relay board.

Edit: Did you check the 4 fuses on the interconnect board? They are kind of hidden by all of the wiring harnesses and often get missed. Most folks just check the aux and PS. The fuses on the inter connect control the lamps in question (GI and BB).

I'll do some more digging on the PF flashers.

For Flasher one check the seating and wiring harness. Those stupid twist and lock outlets suck.

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Any suggestions for a battery mod for RG? I caught one in time with minor damage to the battery holder, but was looking for some alternatives besides replacing that battery holder board.

NVRAM. no batteries no longer required.

Did you check all your fuses on your auxiliary board (far right board in the backbox) ??

These are not for any flashers. These are for the left, right, and back playfield GI lamps and for the Backbox GI lamps. Not related at all to the flashers.

Thanks for the help and photos. Now I know which flashes go to Flash 1, Flash 2, and Flash 8! All fuses (interconnect and aux board) checked and have continuity (just recently replaced them all, but also pulled them out to double-check). Will investigate further this weekend when I have more free time. I'm hoping I don't have to look under the Ramp. I lifted it off once when I changed all the rubber rings, but I hate to move it out of fear that something will go wrong as other than some of the flashers the game plays great. Did I mention how I hate this electrical stuff (give me a flipper to rebuild, change a coil, change a target or switch and I'm happy).

Sadly I can't find any of my photos from when I tore my PF down. I know I had a couple of the ramp. It might be worth posting a tech help or wanted pic of wall ramp wiring thread in the main section to see if anyone has a few photos. Seems odd that only two of the 8 flashers up top are out.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried cleaning the fuse connectors with a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol. Unless I am reading it incorrectly 8/10 should run off of fuses that are on that interconnect board. It seems odd that both would be down simultaneously like that.

I will be home working on putting my SoF PF back together this weekend. I can snap pics and trace back anything that you need just let me know.

I don't know off of the top of my head, someone here may know, but you may be able to swap the relay board underneath the PF and the one in the back box to test out solenoid 10. I would clean the fuse connectors first though.

This is a good point.

nicknack66, did these flashers ever work for you? If so, did they not work after shopping out the game? If so, you likely may not had connected something.

Yes it is true the flashers go through the interconnect board, but the fuses are only for the GI lamps.

Possibilities...
If the flashers are connected under the playfield, then
--bad transistors for both flash bulbs
--broken wire from the MPU to interconnect board
--bad trace within the interconnect board
--bad wire from the interconnect going out to the playfield to the flash lamps

Thanks for the additional info. I appreciate you all trying to help me out. I know it is not easy via postings versus actually seeing the machine. When I got the game these particular flashers never worked. Originally I thought just the bulbs were bad, but I've since changed them all (and also swapped out ones that worked elsewhere but that didn't fix anything). I've also already tried switching the relays. I'm going to try the Q-tip with alcohol on the fuses to see if that does anything. I'm also going to try and trace the wiring (I believe all the flashers, whether under the Ramp or under the playfield have the black and orange wires going to them) and if I see anything out of the ordinary will take some photos (will probably just take a lot of photos since maybe someone will see something that I miss). Maybe I'll find a loose or broken wire somewhere. Where are the transistors for the flash bulbs and can I test them while they are connected to the board? If it's a bad or broken wire I can probably fix that myself. If it's a bad trace within the interconnect board (and I have no idea how to even test for that other than visually looking for a break), then that's beyond my abilities (I can solder the wires under the playfield, but I won't touch the boards (which may also be an issue if one of the transistors are bad). Looks like I have some work cut out for me this weekend.

Speaking of which, would you mind taking a picture of the boards in the backbox? Include the wiring connections all along the edges of the boards as well.

Yes. This is a good idea. You do though need to know which transistors.

I will have to look that up a bit later if no one beats me to it. Flasher bulbs/transistor # is in the same chart as the solenoids (coils)/transistor #.

The switching solenoids (solenoids) 1-8 the flasher transistor is the same as its mate. So if the mate is firing then the transistor should be ok. For example Flash 1C and Solenoid 1A outhole kicker both run off of Q33, Flash and Solenoid 2A/C run off of Q25, etc, etc

Solenoid 10 the backbone relay runs off of Q17

I feel like there are very simple explanations for 1, 2, and 10 it's just a matter of checking some connections and reflowing some connectors. When you say your Flasher 8 is out, do you mean that nothing top or bottom flashes during that test?

When I run the solenoid test there is a click but no flash anywhere for Flash 1, 2, or 8 (Flash 3-7 all work, as does everything else in the game). I didn't lift up the ramp tonight, but looking under the playfield all the wires to the flash bulbs look intact and soldered on (and when I had the ramp up last time there were black and orange wires to the flash lamps that didn't work). Connectors to the board look okay (nothing looks visually burnt). I did notice 2 loose red wires coming out of the connector at J9 on the Interconnect board at pin 4 and 6 (and there is no wire at pin 5) that go no where (they just stop about 4 inches after leaving the connector - not sure if they serve a purpose and my flashers all seem to have orange and black wires to them (not red)). I've attached photos of the boards (and can obviously take more photos if a close up of something would be helpful). Maybe someone will spot something that looks off. Thanks.

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Please see my earlier post for details, but these photos are probably clearer.

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Did you try swapping out the socket for Flasher 1 with one of the other two? Those twist sockets can be temperamental. Sometimes just flipping em over will work.

Is 10 working now or is that still not working?

I can try swapping out the socket for Flash 1, but none of the flashers in that lamp board (i.e. 1X, 2X, and 4X work). Actually none of the flashers under the playfield work. If Flash 10 is the lights in the backbox then I got that to work (I read that I needed to connect one brown wire to J-11, position 6 on the interconnect board and now my backbox lights flash on/off with game play). Does Flash 1, 2, and 8 all connect to the boards via the same connectors? I feel like it is a power issue where the game isn't sending power to those flash bulbs. I don't think it's a broken wire (everything looks fine plus it's multiple flashers - Flash 1, 2, and 8), but something going on either behind the boards (which I won't be able to fix and I don't want to pull all my boards out) or something with one or more connectors that send the signal to those flashers.