I have been having issues with the ball getting stuck lately on the left top of the Winkie Guard (during multiball).

The coil energizes to reset the drop (up) but the ball gets stuck between the clear plastic shield and the left top of the Winkie Guard
drop target

After the other balls drain, the ball search finally releases the stuck ball. So this coil may be energized for a few minutes or more.
This has happened a few times before.

Well tonight I smelled something burning and shut off the game.

The next day, went to play and the Winkie drop would not drop when struck.
The coil sleeve had melted inside the coil. The metal plunger was bound inside of that melted sleeve.
The coil was pretty much toast too.

So once I get this new coil and sleeve (and possibly a new FET), anyone else every have this issue and
how they resolved it?

The associated FET is Q325 and I tested it per JJP support advice and it reads as NOT being blown like you mentioned.
Awaiting a new coil and coil sleeve from JJP parts.
Also ordered a new FET in case Q325 is blown.

Once I get this together I'll make sure that the drop target top edge is at least flush if not a tad above so it won't rest in that detent and get pinched again on a coil reset.

Here's a pic of the coil for all to enjoy! LOL
I'm actually thinking the coil may be ok although I haven't tested it.
Sure was tough getting the sleeve out.

WozBurntCoil (resized).jpg

The latest. Can't turn on the pin as it's apart and playfield up but it was the latest code from April I think?

Anyone know which way the two connectors went on the coil lugs?
I forgot to take a pic.

One connector has two wires and the other one has one.

Thanks!

Interesting.
The replacement coil from JJP has both lugs as normal size so that threw me...
Thanks!

Yes, that's the word from JJP parts dept. as well.

So I am to cut off those nice slide connectors and solder? Right now I just have them on there the old way to see if I needed a new FET.
The FET survived that coil meltdown which is amazing.

I found the source of the issue with the ball hanging there too. The Winkie Guard drop target was too high up so I adjusted the height all the way down possible. However the top front edge of the target is just below the playfield and the back is just above the playfield by maybe 1/64th inch. So target top isn't level with the playfield when down. I can still place the ball there manually and have it hang there as a test.

I'll just have to see if the ball wants to hang up there again with the lower target down during gameplay.

I could also add a couple spacers to the back 2 mounting crews to help offset but I'll see how it goes during multiballs now first.

Glad to see I am not alone on this one.

It seems to have become more of an issue after the last code release but it could be a coincidence.

It always seemed to happen to me during multiball but Mercat has clearly shown where the single ball could roll back out of the VUK and get caught. It would be obvious if that happened since only ball in play but when a multiball is in progress mine would stay parked there until MB was over, then a ball search ensued. I imagine it was trapped for a good 3 minutes.
As I mentioned earlier in this thread, the FET survived that long duration. (Q325)

I have lowered my drop target to the maximum lowest position since I replaced the coil yesterday. I'll have to pay close attention from here on out during multiballs.

I hope Keith can fix this with some sort of code update soon. Has anyone forwarded this issue to his attention yet?

Mercat has duplicated the problem very well with his video. Thank you for taking the time to do that.

Was there ever any code update from JJP that addressed this condition? Anyone know? Fortunately, I have not had this coil meltdown repeat itself so wondering if there was coding done to help prevent?