Need some help with Scared Stiff flipper buttons not responding:
My flipper buttons were unresponsive so I replaced the opto boards. I received the flipper opto boards from bigdaddy (very nicely made btw) and installed them, however my flippers still don't work. With the new boards installed, neither flipper button registers on the switch test. Both flipper coils actuate just fine however from the test menu so I know the coils are fine. It acts like both flipper buttons are completely disconnected however I double checked the wiring connector and it's correctly and firmly seated on each opto board (they only go on one way anyhow). I also checked the opto interrupter and it looks perfectly aligned on both optos and clears the opto when the button is pressed. I can't imagine there is anything wrong with the new boards, I am wondering what I should be checking next. I have uploaded some pictures including pictures of the optos and the board they connect to in the lower front of the cabinet. Thanks in advance for any help from someone smarter then me
Casey

Thanks a lot for the reply Lermods. I checked continuity b/t J139 and the board by the coin door. There were only 3 wires, and all checked out good from end to end with the ohm meter. The meter probe wouldn't fit into the connector ports so I made contact on the back of the connecter where it bites into the wire, but the connectors look to be in decent shape. I also checked all fuses on the driver board with the ohm meter (checked them while in place on the circuit board, hope that is a good test).

Thanks alot PinRebal and Lermods for your replies.

Yes, both flippers went out at the same time. I replaced the opto boards in the first place because i had intermittent flipper issues in the past and figured replacing the boards was a logical starting point. I didn't turn the game on for a year while I was procrastinating ordering the parts. Finally I ordered the opto boards, took the sheet off the game, and installed them. After I replaced the optos the game worked beautifully. For one night I had my Elvira back, then the next day neither flipper worked. I was a bit pi$$ed off to say the lease.

So tonight I removed each fuse on the Power Driver board and they all checked fine with the Ohm meter. I also checked the for 12v at the opto boards and both sides tested at 12.7v (this was tricky because apparently the power from the left side powers the right side however the connector on the left needs to be plugged into the board for the power to transfer to the right side).

Hmmm, what is the probability that the new boards both self destructed at the same time, LOL! Well, I guess now should try to take the opto boards out of one of my other games and try them just to prove that wrong.

Thanks,
Casey

Thanks a lot Erak.

If its a rare problem then I probably have it. It wouldn't surprise me with this machine. I do see that small chip located at U5 under the battery tray you mentioned but I am assuming without special equipment there is no way to check if its working or not. I also have a monster bash machine as well. Would i be able to take the fliptronics board out and try it in my scared stiff machine to see if this fixes the issue? Would I have to swap out the rom chip? Im scared I will break my monster bash if I do but I will do anything to get elvira talking to me again

Thanks,
Casey

Thanks John and Skyemont,

I checked all fuses, and connectors on J119 and J120 are firmly connected. I actually reseated both of them just to make sure.

The meter shows I'm getting about 12.9 volts to both left and right flipper optos. I also removed the flipper optos and installed them in my monster bash machine to test them and they both work perfectly. Interestingly on the switch edges test each opto has two switches. I never knew that but makes sense because I can see there are dual optos on each board (I assume there for redundancy). Anyway, its 3:20 am.. back to the drawing board. Sigh...

Casey

Thanks a lot zaza. I tried to ground J212-12 and J212-11 and no joy. I tested with the connector on (touching the metallic strip on the outer part of the connector for pin 12 and 11) I have attached some pictures of how I did this. I also tried with the connector off directly putting a ground on pin 12 and 11) While I tested, I had the game in switch edge test mode and the high power override button pulled out.

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Ok, I believe I have narrowed this down to the CPU board.. Since directly grounding J212-12 and J212-11 eliminated all the wiring and it still didn't register anything on the CPU. I took the board out of the back box and noticed the batteries leaked all over the place and made a huge mess. I have a feeling this may have fried something on the board and some of the solder joints are now black. Also, the board looks like its blistering a little on the edge. I have uploaded some pics but you may not be able to see the damage.

Does anyone happen to know where I can send this board for analysis / repair? Or are there replacements available?

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Has anybody ever heard of http://www.twobits.com/ for circuit board repair?