Author Topic: Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem  (Read 392 times)

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Offline delarge

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Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem
« on: March 19, 2012, 07:50:30 PM »
Hi all,
Have a problem with a Gottlieb System 3 Street Fighter II left flipper. The fuse died for the left flipper last night and replaced it with the appropriate fuse. Tonight the left flipper has stopped working again. Anything I should focus on to get this right?

Thanks in advance,
Adam.

Offline pinnies4me

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Re: Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2012, 08:25:28 PM »
A bad EOS switch might be the cause, or an issue with the coil or its diode (I think system 3 have diodes on them?). You can eliminate the coil/diode or confirm the issue is there by swapping them and seeing if the issue travels with the swap or not.
“If you wanna escape, go up to a pinball machine. There’s a magic button on the front that takes you to a world under the glass and makes the the rest of the universe disappear.”

Offline delarge

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Re: Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2012, 09:55:51 PM »
Thanks for the advice. Trying to help a friend via text message. Bit frustrating when the machine isn't in my garage.

Offline delarge

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Re: Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2012, 10:28:20 PM »
This was my old machine and advice from pinnies4me and pintoxicated seemed to do the trick. Thanks guys! The guy was able to give the flipper EOS switch a light sand and got it going again. From the picture he sent me, I suggested he replace the switch altogether in the near future. Seemed like a simple solution and was happy he got it sorted.

Fast forward to tonight and I got another text message with a photo of an error on the DMD. "ball stuck call serviceperson". Then more text messages about both flippers not working. At this point, I thought it was best I go and inspect the machine and make a quick fix.

The problem tonight is that when the machine is turned on, the balls are not fed into the trough. The switch isn't registering and no coil is fired. I can start a game and nothing happens. The flippers don't work and no balls are recognised in the trough or even the shooter lane. The machine keeps saying to shoot the ball and then if all the balls are piled up, it says to call the service person. I looked under the playfield and tugged on all wires making sure nothing had come loose. I moved the coils around and tugged on those wires. Nothing out of the ordinary. I inspected the flipper buttons and checked that no wires had come loose. All looked ok.

I've had this machine for 12 months and had it playing nice after getting it up and going. Can't understand why the new owner is having all these gremlins after a week. I suppose that is pinball.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Offline The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan

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Re: Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2012, 10:43:40 PM »
Check fuses and disconnect wires from the flipper coil u think is faulty. Then see if it realizes ball from trough
Im a Gottlieb Man - System 1 & 80 Rock

Offline The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan

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Re: Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2012, 10:48:39 PM »
I had an issue once the same as this and flipper coil was causing issue with balls not ejecting, hence my suggestion to disconnect suspect coil and try
Im a Gottlieb Man - System 1 & 80 Rock

Offline delarge

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Re: Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2012, 10:55:02 PM »
Thanks for the reply. I might swap that coil over as well if I get a chance.

I swapped over two half amp fuses to see if they were the problem, but they both could have been blown. Next time I go back, I'm going to take my toolbox full of fuses and replace all the fuses that relate to that area so that I know for sure the fuses are ok. I was kicking myself tonight that I didn't take my toolkit with me.

Did the coil effect both flippers not working?

Offline The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan

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Re: Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2012, 07:28:35 AM »
No, only one, but from memory the flippers wont work till ball enters shooter lane? 
Im a Gottlieb Man - System 1 & 80 Rock

Offline delarge

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Re: Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2012, 09:58:24 PM »
Turned out to be blown fuse in the bottom of the cabinet that controls the solenoids (F6 or F8 from memory?). Hence why no flippers or ball trough was working.

Also, top left upkicker wasn't detecting the ball. Another problem that has never happened before on this machine. I scratched my head a bit and then inspected the leaf switch. All wires were connected. Gave the contacts a bit of a clean and then fired up the machine again. Had several games and everything was working again.

Will be replacing left flipper coil when it arrives. Will also be replacing a couple of suspect leaf switches on left flipper button and left flipper coil.The manual had an amendment and said it had a different number coil......also, somewhere down the line of owners, someone has put a different coil number in the left flipper that doesn't match the original coil number or the amended coil number.

Does anyone know why the solenoid fuse would blow in the bottom of the cabinet?

Thanks all for the great help!!!

Offline The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan

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Re: Gottlieb System 3 Flipper problem
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2012, 10:52:16 PM »
Fatigue is a possibility, or flipper coil/eos contact/capacitor
Im a Gottlieb Man - System 1 & 80 Rock