Williams Flash resets only when flipper is hit

[braddo]

OK my Flash resets but sometimes not for weeks , but the last few days it's getting pretty bad, nearly every game, but ONLY when the left flipper is hit. Does this make it easier to track the problem?

I will have to go through the whole machine when i get time and replace parts and solder and all that kinda stuff, but cause it only resets when the left flipper is hit, does this make it easier for you guys to pinpoint the problem so I can play it before i get time to work on it. Bloody touchy things for such big, commercial grade products!! Thanks.

[Strangeways]

Check the diode across the left flipper coil - could be a bad solder joint, or the diode itself could be the problem. Maybe "tap" it when the game is on.

The power supply filter cap may need to be replaced. Since it is a Flash with three flippers, replace with a 15,000 MFD Cap, not the standard 10,000 MFD.

[FirePower]

The obvious candidates to check are;

- flipper coil diode - if you are going to test might just as well replace as you have to lift one leg
- solenoid bridge rectifier
- solenoid supply filter cap on psu board - note this is not the bigger 12,000 uF cap, but a smaller one maybe 150 uF, Follow the solenoid wiring to work out which one it is.

[braddo]

Thanks. I'll do all of that this weekend. I was going to change/resolder the diode anyway, let's hope that's the problem. I'll go through all the above points. Easiest things first. There is already a 15000 MFD cap, and it reads OK. Thanks again.

[braddo]

Another question hopefully this pin points things a bit more.

The slings and pop bumpers now aren't working, every other solenoid is except for pops and slings. Anywhere specific I should look, does this makes things easier for you guys to diagnose why the game is still re-setting?? Cheers all.

[FirePower]

Pretty hard to offer advice with this limited info .. but a few q's may shed some light.

The slings and pops are Williams special solenoids.  Do they fire in the solenoid test?
Do they fire if you take a direct feed from the solenoid bridge to the coil  with a bit of wire?

When you say the 15000 uF cap is ok, how did you determine this?
What bits of the previous advise did you follow or what work did  you do or bits did you replace?

[Strangeways]

If it is the original cap, replace it - they have an operating life of 10 years. Regardless of what is measures. It is cheap and easy to replace.