So Nic was at my house for four hours yesterday, but we weren't able to get S.P. working. I'm super disappointed because I'm certain the problem is simple...

Originally, you could start a game by adding a coin, but the ball count always stayed on ball one. You could play endless ball ones!

Nic thought the ball count unit was sticky, so we rebuilt it, but no change in behaviour. Still always ball 1. In hindsight, I think we should have used a meter to check if the ball count unit was getting power - it isn't.

The match unit had a sticking coil, but we fixed that by cleaning a switch on a score reel.

We took the switches off the index reel in order to clean the switches, and I think that's where we screwed something up. There is a switch there that should send a signal to increase the ball count in the ball count unit, but I can't find a schematic anywhere, online or elsewhere.

Occasionally the ball will advance to ball two or three, but not often. This makes me think its an index reel switch that isn't making proper contact.

What I really don't understand is why it no longer responds to coins being inserted, or the credit button. Only way to get a game going is to manually reset the replay relay under the playfield.

If anybody could chime in here with some advice, or a schematic, I'd sure appreciate it! I'm feeling pretty low right now about pinball in general, and could sure use some good news!

Nic, it's exactly my luck that I'd be in the 3/100 group - LOL!

I know that if I keep working, I'll figure this out, even if I have to drag the game all the way to Dallas to Makerspace! But if that's what is required, then drag I shall!

The exact thing I need to see, above #15 in the schematic, is missing from the photos! I pm'ed the OP to see if he could re-shoot them, no reply as of yet.

I see where Action Pinball has the schematic, I Googled 4 or 5 pages deep and never saw that! I'd still rather get an online one if possible though.

BIG TEXAS-SIZED THANKS TO Cactus Jack!!! That was the name of a place on Hillcrest Rd. in Dallas back in the day that would serve, um, well, the "age-challenged" back in the 1980's!

Thanks to Nic for the edited schematic. I have no clue what the round thing is either that you put a question mark next to. I got the player unit working fine by tightening the advance springs and cleaning/teflon lubing the contacts. The bakelight board that the fingers make contact with is loose, so I'll need to remove the fingers so I can tighten the two screws that hold it in place. I realize a full rebuild is preferable, but at this point I just want to prove the game is capable of working before digging too far into every unit.

At this juncture I'm emotionally drained after spending another 4 hours on it today by myself. I'm used to being able to fix ANYTHING, but so far these EM's are messing with my juju!

Thanks CJ, that is some damn fine information!

I've always been a fast learner, usually seeing quick results. I'm slowly realizing that this is impossible with EM's. I had a fellow pilot and retired Electrical Engineer stop by my hangar today to inquire as to what I was doing with all the pinball machines. He took one look at Student Prince with the playfield up and said "I ain't touching that with a 10 foot pole!" LOL!

I do have faith that I will acquire the skills necessary to fix Student Prince. But if, perchance, one day, I am able to use those skills to fix Gay Time bingo, I'm certain a much higher level of nirvana awaits.

Hallelujah! Student Prince is FIXED!

Johnny Brotherton, of Euless, TX, was kind enough to drive an hour to my house in Granbury to take a look at S.P. He arrived at noon, and the game was fixed by 2:00! I was extremely impressed with Johnny's ability to troubleshoot. He fixed four things:
1. Anti-cheat switch on coin door had rusty contacts - Johnny used an emory board to clean them.
2. One of the switches on the score motor reel was mis-adjusted, causing a switch to always be closed. He bent it to the correct position.
3. The game was intermittent about starting a game, and about kicking out the ball. You could knock hard on the playfield to "fix" it, until it happened again. Johnny started knocking all over the playfield until he determined it was the playfield fuse not making good contact! I would have never suspected it, as it felt tight in its holder. Johnny pulled it out, emoried the fuse holder, re-installed the fuse, and viola - problem gone!
4. Finally, Johnny notice two misadjusted switches on the main reset switch gang. He bent them into place, and......

A 100% WORKING STUDENT PRINCE!!! THANK YOU JOHNNY, YOU ARE THE BEST!

Johnny has a large collection of pins and bingos, and his years of experience really shine when he's working on a machine. If you see him at the Frisco Pin Expo, make sure and introduce yourself - you'll be glad you did!

Johnny Brotherton Student Prince (resized).jpg

No, down in Texas we like to put our .22 in there and literally "shoot" the ball - we call it Pistol Pinball.