Im getting close to finishing my restoration and have been rebuilding my ramp lift mechanism as half of it was missing when I got the game, consequently I don't have any photos to work off.

I bought the Armature plate assembly kit from Marco's and there is a part called the Residual Armature Plate (part circled in yellow in the first photo below). Does anyone have a pic of exactly where this goes? I'm assuming it goes between the coil and metal plate/tab as per the red circle in the same photo. If that's the case I assume it just gets inserted into the two holes (these can be seen in the second photo) by being bent into place.

I also had another question, am I supposed to bend down the piece I have circled in the 4th photo below. I've seen pics of it bent/folded down onto the plate? The manual also seems to imply it should be bent down and the pic on Marco's website has it bent too? However, it looks like a decent piece of metal to have to bend that would probably need a fair amount of force?

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Regarding you circled photo: yes that pecker needs to bent down to a curve shape. It won’t be exact science as you want it to allow a gap. I don’t have my WW anymore to give an example of how large of a gap it is but I have two threads on swaps that may show it:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/another-whirlwind-playfield-swap-refresh-cpr-gold-second-run/page/3#post-4958778

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/playfield-swap-from-wind-chapped-to-whirlwind-reset-in-time#post-4552406

It bends easily but make a gentle curve and go slow so not to break it.

Stabbed my camera in to bottom of PF as best I could, if this helps, cool, if not sorry!

My PF is out of cabinet, so at least I have access

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Thanks for the pics and links. I’ll bend that piece down but still leave a small gap. Hopefully I can adjust it later if the mech doesnt quite work right.

As for that rectangular armature piece, I guess I just bend it into the slots between the coil and metal plate.

i just ordered a new playfield from planetary pinball, I was thinking I would get a cpr or micro. but I don't think I have either. i have this sticker on it. Is this a NOS playfield?

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No. WMS never ever had those stickers. It's likely a CPR.

Just indicates it's a licensed reproduction. If it's CPR, I think it should have a gold / silver / bronze sticker somewhere as well.

Was playing today and noticed that my alpha-numeric display was completely dark. No segments on at all. I turned off the machine and checked the connectors, everything seems solid. It's not had any issues with the display before.

Any ideas where to start chasing this one down?

If it’s the original plasma display, the high voltage section on the power supply board likely needs rebuilt. Had same issue on my Bad Cats. Look at the board in the top right corner and on that board look at the resistors and components near the bottom left of the board. They are likely crispy.

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Check the fuse first, I think it is a 3/4 amp.

Hey guys the disks are not spinning on my Whirlwind. Cant find references to that motor in the SM.
Any ideas?

If the motor runs but the disks don’t spin, check to see if your set screws have backed out

I may order this ramp (pictured) from Starship Fantasy where there's duct tape is supporting a break.

When you need a ramp replaced.... do you usually order just to replace the damaged ramp or order all new so they match?

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I would clean the ramp, replace the flap, and get a cliffy protector that covers that area with metal

Agreed. Why spend all that money on something that you can't even see when playing the game?

Anyone done a WW restore lately and have current WW cab paint codes?

I had a really good example on a Behr can from another pinsider, they say their system has changed and cant even use those codes anymore.

Hey you guys! If any of you are getting tired of your game and are interested in changing it up, I’m looking to trade my freshly redone Taxi for a average Whirlwind. https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/96515

New problem with 2 of the 4 red flasher domes on the clear ramp. Two of them are dimly lit at all times. But they do flash very brightly as they should. Any ideas what might be causing that?

Did you put led bulbs in? Maybe they are ghosting?

Can someone tell me who sells the best (with the most grip) spinning disk replacements. TIA

Out of the club to make some room so my Whirlwind is for sale: https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/96934
Truly a great game which I hope to buy again in some years

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Just joined the WW club and I need help!

I’m having two issues.

1. My ball wont lock! After starting the storm the lock lights, discs spin etc... but when I hit the ramp the ball goes to the lock switches only to get ejected back into play. All three switches come up good in the switch test.

2. When the cellar is lit and the ball goes in it just gets kick back up the other side, no value is attained and no call out happens. Where should I start?

Thanks for you help!

It’s got to be the switches in the lock and the cellar. I was having the same problem with my lock replaced the switches and all is good again. As for the cellar never had a problem with mine but I’m sure it the switches.

This issue comes up from time to time, and almost invariably, it’s caused by either a flaky/inoperable lock switch, misadjusted switch, a switch that’s not in the correct place (did you or someone else pull the switches out and reinstall them?)

Operate the switches with a ball, not your hand. You may find the problem and be able to sort it out that way.

Thanks for the reply! I just put a new switch in lock #3 position but I couldn’t find a switch with the right arm so I just bent it to fit best I could. Do you have a good source on the right switch for those thee locks? I’ll replace all 3 and see if that works.

I’ll replace the switch in the cellar to. Hopefully that solves it.

I’ll try using the ball instead of my hand. Thanks for the idea!

I just bought the mini switches and reused the arms as I couldn’t find the right ones as well.

Problem solved on both. Was able to adjust switches correctly. So simple! Thanks!

Getting a huge power loss, flippers barely flip, kickbacks very weak, this is a re-import could that be part, or bad fusing, or something going bad? Any help is appreciated.

check the wiring at the transformer and the voltages coming out.

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check voltages to coils? prob a blown fuse on board. all mine were weak only getting half voltage, changed fuse.

need a pic of the plug and wiring going into the single drop target opto board. mines all hacked up gotta straighten out this wiring mess.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/E9c239EGGjJpL1SKA

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Man that is clean!

Decided to pull my game of the marketplace and to keep it for some more time.
Going to fix the topper!
I currently only have a brand new topper dome and everyone who had interest in the game, really wanted a fully functioning topper so..
Missing the motor, fan blade, bracket, triac board and wiring so this will be interesting!
You will hear from me
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Thanks, I did a complete restore on it about 2 years ago.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tar7MyWSHoPXIImR2

Nice work. And thanks if I ever do a pf swap I don’t have to take pics you got it all covered.

Hoping someone can help me.

None of the flashers are working on my friend's Whirlwind. All the coils are working great. The A/C relay is clicking.

In test mode, I get this message:

SELECTED C-SIDE
08 Err

I found this post which seems similar to my issue, and I changed the U1 on the interconnect board (4N25) but no luck. Same issue.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/ww-ac-relay-problem-help-please

What else can I check?

Thanks,
Chad

I have also reflowed solder around the A/C relay and associated connectors. Fuses are all good.

Flashers are still not working. Hoping someone might have advice from here.

check the presence of VDC on the orange wire on a flasher socket

Voltage was present.

The good news it that I swapped in a different Aux. Power Driver Board and everything is working great now!

I suspect that the Relay is bad on the old board. It is clicking, but maybe it's just not making nice contact.

Does anyone know where I can purchase a replacement Relay?

Thanks,
Chad

Say, quick question...when is the 100k flasher next to the billboard drops supposed to light up? Since I've owned the game, I don't think I've ever seen it light up. It does flash during the solenoid test, so I know the bulb/socket is fine. The other two insert flashers (100k and 3000 spinner) do seem to flash occasionally, but it's kinda hard to tell because they also have normal lamps under those inserts.

So when is this flasher supposed to trigger? And if it's not flashing when it's supposed to during gameplay, but is flashing during the solenoid test, what could be wrong? A diode or a transistor?

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I noticed the same. It doesn't light in attract or EOG sequence. I do notice it flash for a split second when you drop all 3 targets though.

I maybe wrong, I believe it lights up or flashes when you the ball sweeps all 3 drop targets at the same time. Hence, the 100k points per sweep!

Next time I play, I'll watch the flasher more closely. Maybe it does flash for a second and I just miss it?

So it does flash, but only for like a split second when you sweep the drops. You almost have to look out for it especially just to notice it.

Some whirlwind plastics on the marketplace:

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/97556