Bram Stokers Dracula solenoid delay

[Retrotoyguy]

Hi All
New member here but having an issue with my BSD.
The solenoid that pops the ball out after hitting the Mystery Hole has been delaying.
I find I sit for a good 10 secs before the ball pops into the left lane.
To give you an idea of the delay, when I hit the mist ball shot, the mist ball travels the entire way across the playfield before the other ball pops out.
Does anyone have an idea of what could be causing this? It affects gameplay in quite a big way
Thanks in advance :)

[Steevsee]

Test mystery hole switch to see if it's working correctly.

[Retrotoyguy]

Works fine in test mode, works during gameplay too but delays

[DSB]

What about the opto switch on the ball popper?

[robm]

Did you test the switch with a ball. Sometimes if you test with tour finger it doesn't simulate a ball properly

[Retrotoyguy]

Not being a pinball expert where exactly is the opto for me to test that?

[Pintoxicated]

Lift the playfield up.  Clean the ramp under the playfield and clean the opto switch whilst you have the ramp off.  Good place to start at the very least.

[DSB]

It should be under the playfield at the other end of the subway from the mystery hole on the ball pop mechanism that brings the ball back up on to the playfield wire ramp. Switch 55 in the manual. Use a piece of paper or similar to break the beam in the switch edge test.

Sounds like the mystery hole switch is working as you are be awarded the hole straight away but the ball must be getting stuck either in the subway or on the ball pop mech.

[Retrotoyguy]

Okay, putting paper in the switch did nothing but touching the switch with my finger set it off. That's switch 55. I assume I need a new switch

[pinsanity]

Give it a good clean first and reseat the associated connectors before buying a new switch.

[DSB]

[quoteGive it a good clean first and reseat the associated connectors before buying a new switch.][/quote]

Yes, as Pinsanity said. Also check in the "single switch test" if the switch 55 is showing closed with nothing breaking the opto beam. It should show closed with the beam unbroken. Make sure to move the cursor over switch 55 in the single switch test mode to see the switch details.

I am assuming the switch is closing????? when touched at this point.  If so this indicates the IR transmitter LED and IR receiver are most likely ok and the problem may just be a bad wire connection. Is it the white or black side of the opto you are touching to get it to switch.

[Retrotoyguy]

No wonder I can't figure out what you guys are talking about, this machine is missing 3 sets of opto's and has switches instead.
Anyone have any opto's by any chance?

[DSB]

Hi Retrotoyguy. Can you post a picture of what you have at the pop mechanism that brings the ball back up to the playfield from the mystery hole subway? The manual says that switch 55 is an opto but you can't always trust them. wouldn't be a fun job to change an opto for a switch I imagine. Does the switch look like a hack or a factory install?

Optos here but won't come with the wire and plug to connect to the loom.
]http://www.rtbb.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1311&osCsid=3b3221edc890e1b70302aca5931d0a90] Transmitter
http://www.rtbb.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1312 Receiver

[Retrotoyguy]

It's a hack job I'm afraid
Will post some pics shortly :)

[DSB]

Oh I see. It amazes me how someone can spend so much time and money to do a hack job when the proper fix is so cheap and easy! The wire and connector may still be there and they have just soldered the switch into the receiver side opto wires. If this is the case the transmitter wires will be just hanging about there as well.