Solar Ride Drop Targets not resetting

[Klondike]

On my '78 Gottlieb Solar Ride, when all five drop targets are down, they move as if they are going to reset but then they all drop again...this happens both when I hit the outhole with 'reset targets'  lit and at the start of the next ball. If 1,2,3 or 4 targets are down, they all rest properly every time. It's got a new power supply and CPU board fitted so hopefully it's a switch or something simple but all the switches appear clean and properly adjusted. Anyone with a Gottlieb System 1 had this problem?

[Pintoxicated]

Can you manually push the plunger into the coil far enough to reset the targets?  Check that the coil isn't damaged and isn't letting the plunger travel all the way or that there is something stuck in there somewhere that isn't letting the targets reset????????

[Boots]

On my '78 Gottlieb Solar Ride, when all five drop targets are down, they move as if they are going to reset but then they all drop again...this happens both when I hit the outhole with 'reset targets'  lit and at the start of the next ball. If 1,2,3 or 4 targets are down, they all rest properly every time. It's got a new power supply and CPU board fitted so hopefully it's a switch or something simple but all the switches appear clean and properly adjusted. Anyone with a Gottlieb System 1 had this problem?

I had the same exact problem on my Solar Ride.
The target bank had a different coil on it to what the manual specifies so I thought it was that but in the end all I had to do was polish the plunger and clean the sleeve.
I think that with 5 targets to reset the target bank coil is on the brink and a small amount of drag is all that is needed to stop it resetting.
Mine has been going strong for over 12 months now so problem solved.

[Klondike]

I had the same exact problem on my Solar Ride.
The target bank had a different coil on it to what the manual specifies so I thought it was that but in the end all I had to do was polish the plunger and clean the sleeve.
I think that with 5 targets to reset the target bank coil is on the brink and a small amount of drag is all that is needed to stop it resetting.
Mine has been going strong for over 12 months now so problem solved.

Thank you so much Boots, you were spot on! I cleaned the plunger and sleeve with metho and lots of dirt came off but it still didn't have enough power to lift the 5 targets. I knew I was on the right track because with the playfield inclined it had the power to lift them one time...I used silicon spray on the metal moving parts and now it works every time. You're a legend! It's great to meet someone else with a Solar Ride also!

[Pintoxicated]

Keep an eye on where you sprayed the silicon, chances are it will eventually start to hold dirt which will cause the same problem as you were having.  It is best not to use any lube on anything apart from gears.  Lube only ends up causing more problems than it fixes.  You are probably better off pulling the assembly apart and cleaning it properly with metho or window cleaner.

[Mr Pinbologist]

Lube only ends up causing more problems than it fixes.  You are probably better off pulling the assembly apart and cleaning it properly with metho or window cleaner.

+1 to this advice, plus replace the coil sleeve.

I own a Solar Ride as well, the very same one i played on site over 25 years ago. Its a fun, easy to understand and challenging title, so its a definite keeper for me.

I must have been lucky with mine as i have never had a single issue with the drops the whole time i've had it.. almost 20 years!! I did restore the game about 10 years ago but still very little work was needed on the drop targets.