The 6 Million Dollar Man power up

[slammer]

Hi Guys,

Just got a 1978 Bally "The 6 Million Dollar Man" to look at for a mate.

Powers up, GI powers up but nothing else.

Tried to add credits, but no response.

Had a look at the MPU board, the led just gives a quick flash on start up, by the manual, it is supposed to flash times after this then a music start up plays.

I have reseated the connectors, still the same problem.

Any ideas where to start?

This is my first look at a EM, what a machine!

Went onto Marvin's site, all the system 3 to 7 pages are down, just my luck.....

Cheers Angelo

[humpalot]

Umm you are a little confused.

system 6 or 7 are williams.

This machine is a SS not an EM.

It's a Bally.

You need to check out http://www.pinrepair.com/bally/index.htm

[slammer]

Cheers Humpalot, a couple too many beers this arvo....

[Strangeways]

If it is a quick "flicker", then I suggest you reseat U2 and U6. Give it a try, then reseat U9 CPU (if socketed).

Try removing all the MPU connectors except J4

report back !

[slammer]

If it is a quick "flicker", then I suggest you reseat U2 and U6. Give it a try, then reseat U9 CPU (if socketed).

Try removing all the MPU connectors except J4

report back !

Am I thinking by the above, after reseating and no luck, disconnect the MPU connectors except j4 and then power up and see if the 7 flashes occur?

Cheers Angelo

[Strangeways]

If it is a quick "flicker", then I suggest you reseat U2 and U6. Give it a try, then reseat U9 CPU (if socketed).

Try removing all the MPU connectors except J4

report back !

Am I thinking by the above, after reseating and no luck, disconnect the MPU connectors except j4 and then power up and see if the 7 flashes occur?

Cheers Angelo

Correct Angelo !

It might take time to isolate the problem, we just need the "first flash" - not JUST the quick "flicker" at the start. We need to boot the MPU, and to do that we need a working U9 (CPU), U11 (PIA) and ROMS (U2 + U6). It always good to have U10 (PIA) as well.

Also - of you have a multimeter - check the test points (Particularly +5V) on the board.

[humpalot]

Any battery acid damage on the board?

[slammer]

Not that I can see, it has an external battery hard wired to the board.

I will have a crack at it tomorrow and post the results and some pics.

I also have to pick up a Catctus Jack in the morning.

Cheers Angelo

[stuba]

i just got a 6MDM with quite a few probs. I haven't bothered to extend diagnosis beyond the rectifier board ATM. start at the beginning and get the voltage train right first. test the test points on the -18 board first. these boards will almost always need a rebuild given their age, shitty design , underspeced components and old connectors.

[Strangeways]

i just got a 6MDM with quite a few probs. I haven't bothered to extend diagnosis beyond the rectifier board ATM. start at the beginning and get the voltage train right first. test the test points on the -18 board first. these boards will almost always need a rebuild given their age, shitty design , underspeced components and old connectors.

Just give the board to Gavin - He LOVES Bally Power boards !

[slammer]

OK quick update, I pulled out the MPU board and checked it over quickly. It has had some ghetto repairs around U9.

I reseated the chips, now I het the quick flash and then two solid pulses.

Disconnecting the connectors (execpt for J4) gives the same result.

I read throught the manual, but the only pluses it talks about are the 7 on a sucessful startup.

Cheers Angelo

[Strangeways]

OK quick update, I pulled out the MPU board and checked it over quickly. It has had some ghetto repairs around U9.

I reseated the chips, now I het the quick flash and then two solid pulses.

Disconnecting the connectors (execpt for J4) gives the same result.

I read throught the manual, but the only pluses it talks about are the 7 on a sucessful startup.

Cheers Angelo

Excellent progress mate !


Reseat U7 (6810 RAM) and U8 (5101) - if not already done - Be CAREFUL around U8 as static will render this chip useless.

Reseat both PIAs U10 + U11 (I think you did that previous)

[slammer]

OK quick update, I pulled out the MPU board and checked it over quickly. It has had some ghetto repairs around U9.

I reseated the chips, now I het the quick flash and then two solid pulses.

Disconnecting the connectors (execpt for J4) gives the same result.

I read throught the manual, but the only pluses it talks about are the 7 on a sucessful startup.

Cheers Angelo

Excellent progress mate !


Reseat U7 (6810 RAM) and U8 (5101) - if not already done - Be CAREFUL around U8 as static will render this chip useless.

Reseat both PIAs U10 + U11 (I think you did that previous)

OK just went over the reseating, and I have the same "error", just a quick flash then two pulses.

I am guessing that the MPU board will need to be removed and repaired.

Cheers Angelo

[The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan]

OK quick update, I pulled out the MPU board and checked it over quickly. It has had some ghetto repairs around U9.

I reseated the chips, now I het the quick flash and then two solid pulses.

Disconnecting the connectors (execpt for J4) gives the same result.

I read throught the manual, but the only pluses it talks about are the 7 on a sucessful startup.

Cheers Angelo

Excellent progress mate !


Reseat U7 (6810 RAM) and U8 (5101) - if not already done - Be CAREFUL around U8 as static will render this chip useless.

Reseat both PIAs U10 + U11 (I think you did that previous)

OK just went over the reseating, and I have the same "error", just a quick flash then two pulses.

I am guessing that the MPU board will need to be removed and repaired.

Cheers Angelo

No third flash was designed to indicate that the PIA 6820 at U 11 is bad, replace this and see what happens.

[slammer]

Hi Dean,

I don't have one to swap over.

I might send the board off to get looked at.

Cheers Angelo