This might be more just a Data East question, but since I'm dealing with my TFTC thought I'd opt it out in case anyone has seen a like situation. Just about done "shopping out" my TFTC. It was a long ago re-import from Spain and HUO the last decade or so.

The final thing I wanted/needed to do was replace the micro-switch http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/180-5101-00 that signals the solenoid to shoot the ball into the shooter lane. It was not always firing.

When I went to take off the old switch I saw that the diode was no longer connected (see photo). I looked on line and found under-playfield photos of JP which seems to have the same configuration, and the diode was connected. I reconnected the diode after which the coil would no longer fire. The ball would only be ejected into the shooter lane during a ball search. I disconnected the diode and the solenoid immediately began firing again.

Is anybody else's Tales configured the same way--with the diode detached? If anyone has a photo of their switch that they can share I'd be grateful.

It was like that when I got the game a few months ago; not a show stopper but one of those little things that bugs me. I fixed all the other wiring issues, and this one of the last issues I have remaining. I can easily change a diode, but wanted to get some more information on this first. Thanks!

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Ok, thanks. Maybe the diode went bad at some point and somebody decided to disconnect it entirely. I'll put a new one on today. Thanks for the photo.

Today got my new ROMs from John Wart and loving this upgrade.

But...quick question. My TFTC came with lots of small issues and one by one I've fixed them.

I thought I had everything sorted but was installing the ROM upgrade and realized I have a loose grounding wire. Does anyone know where this one goes???? It's on the bottom right of the back box. I can't find any info on line or in the owners manual.

Thanks.

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Hi Everybody. I'm almost at that point where I've done all I can with my TFTC. I bought it about five months ago and have had a lot of fun restoring it. I'm down to one missing item:

I need the reddish/orange piece of plastic that sits just behind the drop-down targets. Mine is broken. I only had a handful of broken plastics when I bought the game and managed to track them down one by one on Ebay. I just can't get my hands on the last piece. I know Classic Playfields did a run on the plastics in 2014, but they are now out of stock and no longer carrying them, and even if they did, I only need the one piece. If you have any old TFTC plastics (actually if you have this piece) and want to sell/part with it, please send me a PM.

BTW, the glass on mine was scratched up pretty good when I bought the game. I decided to try something new and bought a sheet of "Bob's Ultimate Pinball Glass." I was very happy with the product. Best, Cyrus

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I'm usually pretty conservative with MODS, preferring instead PF protectors, Cliffy's, etc as additions to my pins. However, I was at the York, PA pinball show on Friday and the folks from Lermods were there (which was great because this year the show seemed to be scarce on vendors). Anyway, I was eyeing a skull/coffin MOD when they were at Allentown earlier this year but for some reason never went back to get it, probably because I had already spent a small fortune on side blades, lights, and a Lasserific topper for my AS. Anyway this MOD was made for Metallica, but I saw potential for it in TFTC. I installed it this morning. It fit perfectly over the shooter lane. I used double sided tape to secure it, and attached the alligator clips to the 12V flasher connected to the left ramp. The switch activates a row of red LEDS in side the coffin. I thought it really came out great and wanted to share in case any of you are thinking about adding some MODS to our game. Best, Cyrus

P.S. BTW, a few weeks back I posted to see if anyone had a hard-to-find plastic I needed for my TFTC. I have to give a shout out to Tonylo909 who had a spare and sent it to me, showing again how the folks on Pinside make up one really awesome community.

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Hey guys, here is my "Tales" of woe....

A few months ago a new problem creeped up. What happens is when the ball drains, the game still thinks it is in play. All the trough switches tested fine in diagnostics. After a few ball searches the game puts a ball in the shooter lane and fires. When that one drains, the game proceeds to the next ball. I replaced the far left trough switch (P/N 180-5119-00) anyway. No change. It's not the MPU. I have the original and a Rottendog back-up with the latest and the next to latest chips. With either MPU there is no change. I've reseated all the connectors, etc, etc, etc. I'm at a loss here. Just when I think I've got the game playing 100%, it throws another curve ball at me. Anybody seen this problem before? Thanks.

Thanks for the reply. That’s what I am going to do tomorrow. I was just hoping to avoid replacing all of them but I think it just has to be done. Time to affixiate myself with the solder iron again!

I bought the Pinball Pro speakers for my CFTBL and my Grand Lizard. The speakers are excellent but the sound capability of these older games is limited, at least from what I hear on my own pins. For Tales I just went to Marco and bought their inexpensive speakers to include the tweeters and woofer. I put them in and they sound fine to me. The sound was a definite improvement, but I just didn't need a great sound system to bring out the sounds and call outs in Tales.

That looks great. You got a beautiful game there. When I LED’d mine out I used red flashers for the Cryptkeepers eyes (pf—just above the flippers). Looks cool when they light up. My game was player condition re import but I did have a lot of fun doing the rebuild and restoration. You’ll love this game.

Hey there everybody. Just spent about five hours working on my Tales on this snow day. Replaced rubbers, several lights, one drop down target and spring, waxed table, and cleaned metal and plastic pieces. But it looks good and always nice to see an old machine shine, especially one you have painstakingly rebuilt. Was having some ghosting issues with non-ghosting LED's and finally just gave up and put incandescents into those particular sockets. I'm not going to worry about it.

Anyway, just wanted everybody to know that Cliffy is making an eject protector for our Tales. It is an easy install. I think I had to loosen a few bolts/screws to get it under the rail. He has double sided tape on the bottom and it goes right on. He sent me a prototype several weeks ago with an order I placed and it has held like a champ. If you want to get one, hit him up as I don't think it is updated on his web site. He is backed up with so many orders lately, so be patient.

Best. Cyrus

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Man, don't feel bad. I've had mine almost two years and have not hit it either!!!! lol

I’m thinking of just replacing the sockets and diodes with new ones. Mine look worn and there is rust or oxidation showing. I lost track of the hours I’ve spent rebuilding this game but now it plays like brand new.

Where did you get the rails? One thing that takes away from this game is the manhandling to get the damn PF up and those pegs (mine only had one) are useless.

Looks like it is in decent shape. What’s broken?

Now you need the ColorDMD mod. It really does wonders for the animations. Either way it looks like you scored a great find.

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I have the same ones in my Metallica but they work just as well with Tales, too.

This is in place of the roll over switches in the trough? I never knew this was an option on Tales.

Ok, thanks. I sent him a PM. I replaced all of my roll over switches last year but I’d take an opto board over the switches anyday.

Totally agree. I’m happy with the LED. Easy install and one of the best mods you’ll ever put on your TFTC.

Mine had a similar problem but fixed it with a VUK rebuild kit and new solenoid. It was pretty easy to do and you can get the parts from Marco. The part numbers are in the TFTC owners manual.

Try Cliffy. He makes the ramp gates that I got from him a few years ago. Might have other parts for TFTC as well. Shoot him an e mail. http://www.passionforpinball.com/

Rarely but occasionally see one on EBay. Awesome game room you have there.

Not here. I’d consider a new cabinet. My game was a re import from Spain. With the exception of the scoop, which I repaired with wood filler and then a Cliffy, my PF is in excellent condition and I keep it waxed. In my experience DE made some durable PF’s but a new one is going to look great if you can get it.

This game and DE games produced during that period are known for shooter lane problems. This might help, as it did for me. https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/testing-de-ball-trough-switches#post-3883196

Hi. Unless you have the upgrade there are no optos in the Tales ball trough area. Switches only. The ball trough on Tales is know to have issues as do like Data East games from that period. I ended up replacing my roll over switches as well as the switch that triggers the solenoid that fires the ball into the shooter alley. This might help. https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/testing-de-ball-trough-switches#post-3883196

Ditto. I replaced all my gates on Tales with Cliffies. Scoop protector as well. Cliff is the man.

I went with a ColorDMD (LED) replacement. DE did a surprisingly great job with those early graphics. Well worth colorizing.

I use a small slices of electrical tape, wrapped around the base to increase the girth.

That looks great. I understand that DE got the original handles from a hard ware store.

Marco still sells a replica, but if I needed one, I'd go your route. I think it looks better than the original.

https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/545-5443-00

Mine is a re-import from Spain as well.