On Sing Along:

Nothing special happens when you light 1-2-3-4, but once you do light that, the hole will start occasionally lighting for a replay. The randomization comes from the match stepper, which is activated by the slingshots and bumpers. When you land in a lit hole, you should get a knock and a replay. There are no extra ball opportunities.

Once you light a number, it should always remain lit for the rest of the game. The only thing that could reset this would be a reset of the big relay banks in the cabinet and on the bottom of the playfield.

Ok. So Let me see if I understand the problems you are encountering on your Gottlieb Melody.

Problem #1: Add A Ball reward not working properly

Issue: When all four lights are lit for a color, the game does not award an extra ball when the ball activates the saucer.

Problem #2: Numbers are reset prematurely
Issue: When 3+ numbers are lit solid for any color, the numbers are cleared out when a ball activates the saucer. While this is expected when all 4 numbers are lit, it is not expected when 3 out of 4 are lit.

Are these the problems you are having with your Melody?

Marcus

Ok. So the next question is ... "Do you have a schematic?" If the answer is yes, then we can use the schematic to help troubleshoot the problem. If the answer is no, then you need to contact Pinball Resource and buy one.

Problem #1: Add A Ball reward not working properly

Issue: When all four lights are lit for a color, the game does not award an extra ball when the ball activates the saucer

Suggestion: First, determine if this is happening with EVERY Color or if it is only happening with some colors. Then make sure your ball count unit is clean and the solenoid/coil is mechanically sound. The problem is most likely caused by a dirty switch in the switch stack beneath the ball capture saucer. If you have the schematic, you can trace the path from the switch stack to the ball count unit and figure out if something else along the path is causing the problem.

Problem #2: Numbers are reset prematurely

Issue: When 3+ numbers are lit solid for any color, the numbers are cleared out when a ball activates the saucer. While this is expected when all 4 numbers are lit, it is not expected when 3 out of 4 are lit.

Suggestion: First determine if this is happening with EVERY Color or if it is only happening with some colors. Then do some testing. Light 1-2-4, and see if it resets. Then try every combination, i.e. 1-2-3, 1-2-4, 1-3-4, 2-3-4, and see if the problem occurs for every variation. This will help you hone in on the real problem. My guess is that one of your switches is shorting against another, thus causing the "false" reset.

Good luck!

Marcus