Just recently I started having a strange issue with my TZ. during gameplay, the optos on column 7 stop working. these are the auto-fire kicker ball detector optos, the load gumball ball detector optos, right ramp enter optos, and both top and bottom mini playfield exits optos. In addition, the 2 playfield leaf targets for the millions at the pop bumpers stop as well. Basically, the entire column. this causes the autofire kicker as well as the gumball load popper to keep firing nonstop. When I go into the error report, it states "ball popper opto is stuck"
Now, I've done some investigating, and the problem seems to be linked to the connector plug at J206. If I press on the plug while in switch edge test, I hear the beeps as if the switches start to work again. when I release my finger pressure, it beeps again, and stop working. The games CPU had previous battery leakage damage before I bought it, and appeared to have abatement work done. It's worked fine for the last year and a half and just started acting up.
Now, I had this problem show up a week ago, and I temporarily fixed it by re-seating all plug connectors in the backbox. It has popped back up!
Is the problem in the CPU board, or could it be in the 10-opto PCB under the playfield?
All help is appreciated! -Dan