Now that I've got my previous project up and running (thanks to all the help here), it's time to turn my attention to my next, more banged up project: Williams Swinger (1972). I fully expect to run into a bunch of issues on this one, but I'll start with that I've got now. I've already gone through the basics (switch cleaning/adjusting, jones plug cleaning and checking, etc). It was completely dead when I got it, but after going through the normal stuff, it's closer to working than not, so we're off to a good start.
The Good
- Power on the game, press left flipper GI comes on and Lock Relay pulls and stays pulling as it should
- Press start/reset, credit unit decrements as it should and game begins, ball kicks to shooting lane, swinging target starts to swing
- Flippers and move playfield targets work and score as they should. Post between flippers goes up and down as it should when various targets are hit.
- Game ends after proper number of balls played and goes to Game Over as it should
The Bad
Advance (Bonus) Unit is having issues. Based on videos of the game working, it looks like the Advance unit is supposed to constantly advance, every couple of seconds. Eventually, when one of the specified stand-up targets is hit, the Advance Unit stops on whatever Bonus value it was on when the target was hit, and the player can win that amount by hitting the center target (I think that's how it works).
- My first problem is the Advance Unit is not advancing properly. I have taken it apart and cleaned it, and found the armatures sticky. After cleaning/lubing, they work great. I was surprised to see the Unit still not advancing, but then I noticed something: The portion of the armature that sits in the cutout "groove" of the coil plunger appears to be partially broken. This means that the armature is not properly centered in the plunger cutout groove, and thus does not reach it's necessary position when the coil pulls to advance the unit. It appears there is a round "end" or cap piece on the armature that is supposed to fit in the plunger groove. Because mine is partially missing/broken, there's some wiggle room that causes issues. Attached is a pic, as well as a reference photo that will hopefully help clarify.
- Is there a known "fix" for this, or should I just order a new armature from PBR (assuming they have it)? I thought about jerry-rigging it to work, but figured I'd ask in case this is a common issue/fix that I couldn't find on the forums.