Star Wars Data East Death Star Target Not Moving

Hi everyone,

I just picked up a Star Wars in excellent shape, minus the death star target not working / moving. I have been doing some research and did the basics (tested fuses, looked for broken connections, etc.) and can't see anything obvious. When I go through the test in the menu, nothing happens. I hear the relay click, but the motor doesn't even try to move. When I purchased the game, this was all wired up, so it looks like it's been not working for a while.
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I read that some people reflow the relay board which solves the issue. Here is my board. How does it look? Is it missing any caps on D2 or R1?

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Does all this look good, as far as wiring? Everything is secure.
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Can anyone offer any insight? Thank you very much.

Mike

#2 2 years ago

ACE

pinzrfun

Pinside+ Frequent

Belleville, MI

11y 90,300 4,305 20

Do you mean the Death Star itself isnt rotating?

That's a common issue, mine suffers from it sometimes too, the grease inside the motor has solidified over the years. I can turn mine by hand and it will then rotate by itself. Basically you can replace the motor or try cutting the casing apart and re-greasing it.....

#3 2 years ago

MJF

mikespins

Quoted from pinzrfun:
Do you mean the Death Star itself isnt rotating?
That's a common issue, mine suffers from it sometimes too, the grease inside the motor has solidified over the years. I can turn mine by hand and it will then rotate by itself. Basically you can replace the motor or try cutting the casing apart and re-greasing it.....

No, the death star is rotating. The target in front of it is not dropping.

#4 2 years ago

ACE

pinzrfun

Pinside+ Frequent

Belleville, MI

11y 90,300 4,305 20

OH - ok. Did u push on it with your finger? Does it take a huge amount of force to get it to drop? Could be that simple, it's hanging up - they can be finicky.

#5 2 years ago

MJF

mikespins

Quoted from pinzrfun:
OH - ok. Did u push on it with your finger? Does it take a huge amount of force to get it to drop? Could be that simple, it's hanging up - they can be finicky.

Ahhh so I should be able to push the top part of the target down and it will go down? Perhaps it's seized up then? Can't push it down at all.

#6 2 years ago

KMT

mozach

Pinside member

Peachtree City, GA

10y 82,550 379 7

It’s probably the motor or relay board. There are two relay boards in there. Assuming the other one works, try it on the Death Star target and see what happens

#7 2 years ago

MJF

mikespins

Quoted from mozach:
It’s probably the motor or relay board. There are two relay boards in there. Assuming the other one works, try it on the Death Star target and see what happens

I didn't realize there are 2 relay boards. I will look for the other one. Any tips where it is?

#8 2 years ago

KMT

mozach

Pinside member

Peachtree City, GA

10y 82,550 379 7

The other one controls the Death Star motor. It looks identical to the one you have pictured. Assuming your Death Star is spinning, you can switch them to narrow down the problem.

#9 2 years ago

MJF

mikespins

Quoted from mozach:
The other one controls the Death Star motor. It looks identical to the one you have pictured. Assuming your Death Star is spinning, you can switch them to narrow down the problem.

Thanks. Tried this, still just clicking, doesn't sound like the motor is even trying

#10 2 years ago

MJF

mikespins

I don't know if this is helpful or not

20210731_183515.jpg

#11 2 years ago

MJF

mikespins

Can someone please post a few pics of this switch by the motor? I think the one on the left is backwards. Wouldn't explain why it's not working, but I am guessing motor at this point.

20210731_190627.jpg

#12 2 years ago

MJF

mikespins

New motor comes tomorrow, will report back then.

#13 2 years ago

MJF

mikespins