Judge Dredd help

[felixthadog]

I haven't played my Judge Dredd machine in a while, so I thought I would fire her up tonight for a few games. Started the first ball in the first game, played one shot (that went nowhere of course) when all of a sudden a mode started and points were being scored even though I wasn't doing anything. I tried to keep the ball on the playfield for as long as I could just to see if I could figure out what was happening. I noticed that the DMD continually showed the video for when the ball goes up the left ramp (motorbike drives past and you score 5 million points), which makes me think that there is a problem with the optos on the ramp. However, being a n00b at this sort of stuff, I don't know what I need to check in the Test Diagnostics menu. Should I be looking in the Switch menu, even though it is probably a problem with an Opto?  If so, what should I be looking for? 

Matthew

[Strangeways]

I'm not familiar with JD, but these problems you are experiencing are most likely related to a malfunctioning switch. Easiest way to do this is to have the manual handy, or a printout of the switch matrix, and locate the switch you think is causing the issue. This is the "Switch edge Test". You can toggle through each switch on the playfield, and it will tell you what was the last switch. Test the switch you think is faulty.

The other thing to check is that after 10 games ( I think it is 10 games), a switch error will appear during diagnostics or boot up - this will point you to the switch

[MartyJ]

I'm not familiar with JD, but these problems you are experiencing are most likely related to a malfunctioning switch. Easiest way to do this is to have the manual handy, or a printout of the switch matrix, and locate the switch you think is causing the issue. This is the "Switch edge Test". You can toggle through each switch on the playfield, and it will tell you what was the last switch. Test the switch you think is faulty.

The other thing to check is that after 10 games ( I think it is 10 games), a switch error will appear during diagnostics or boot up - this will point you to the switch

In addition to what Nino suggested, with the OPTO's you should be able to break the beam with your finger (wont hurt I promise!).  When you break it, it should register on the DMD.

[ajlaird]

Sounds like a faulty or dirty opto receiver.

Definitely do a switch test - if it is an opto the switch should be normally closed but open when you break the opto beam if it is anything like my Dirty Harry.

You can clean the opto receiver with a cotton bud and some metho or similar.

[felixthadog]

This is the "Switch edge Test". You can toggle through each switch on the playfield, and it will tell you what was the last switch. Test the switch you think is faulty.

Thanks Nino, I have seen the "Switch Edges" test but to be honest I do not understand what it is used for. How do I toggle through each switch, and what do you mean by "it will tell you what was the last switch"? Is an opto the same as a switch?  

Matthew

[MartyJ]

This is the "Switch edge Test". You can toggle through each switch on the playfield, and it will tell you what was the last switch. Test the switch you think is faulty.

Thanks Nino, I have seen the "Switch Edges" test but to be honest I do not understand what it is used for. How do I toggle through each switch, and what do you mean by "it will tell you what was the last switch"? Is an opto the same as a switch?  

Matthew

Matthew,

The switch edges should be tested one at a time.  You can activate by pressing it (from top of the playfield via the wireform or similar attached) or better still grab the ball and let it run over it.  You should hear it activate and it will register the actual switch on the DMD.  For example, the right outlane switch will register right outlane.  IF you are getting phantoms - ie you pressing one switch but registering another it may be a matrix problem.

In the manual there should be a sheet with all the switch numbers on the playfield.  Print this out as it will correspond to the above switch test....

[ajlaird]

This is the "Switch edge Test". You can toggle through each switch on the playfield, and it will tell you what was the last switch. Test the switch you think is faulty.

Thanks Nino, I have seen the "Switch Edges" test but to be honest I do not understand what it is used for. How do I toggle through each switch, and what do you mean by "it will tell you what was the last switch"? Is an opto the same as a switch?  

Matthew

The switch test would normally include optos.

[Strangeways]

This is the "Switch edge Test". You can toggle through each switch on the playfield, and it will tell you what was the last switch. Test the switch you think is faulty.

Thanks Nino, I have seen the "Switch Edges" test but to be honest I do not understand what it is used for. How do I toggle through each switch, and what do you mean by "it will tell you what was the last switch"? Is an opto the same as a switch?  

Matthew

As mentioned by the others - just press any switch on the playfield and it will register on the display. Cross reference the switch name with the actual switch you are depressing. Find the opto in question and interrupt the opto - it SHOULD register on the display. The last switch will remain on the display until you press the next playfield switch.

[felixthadog]

Well I can't explain what happened, but the machine has somehow fixed itself. I took the glass off and ran the ball around the playfield, activating all of the switches. This didn't fix the problem immediately, but after a while the problem just disappeared  I'll keep my eye on it, but for now the Judge is back in action. Thanks for everyone's help/advice.

Matthew

[pinball god]

maybe the switch was stuck on and you freed it up???

[felixthadog]

maybe the switch was stuck on and you freed it up???

I'm pretty sure the problem was with the Opto Sensors on the ramp rather than a rollover switch, so I don't see how an opto can be "stuck on". Of course it is likely that I am completely wrong because a "stuck on" switch would explain why the problem miraculously disappeared, but the symptoms in the game (modes starting incorrectly, points being scored for doing nothing) all point to the opto sensor on the ramp.

Matthew

[Strangeways]

sometimes it can be something like dust obscuring the optos

[ajlaird]

I had a loose wire leading to one of my optos and it caused intermittent problems (similar to what you have described with phantom scoring) until I resoldered it.

[Extra Ball]

Like the optos in FT fishing reels, you gotta keep them clean.

[felixthadog]

I had a loose wire leading to one of my optos and it caused intermittent problems (similar to what you have described with phantom scoring) until I resoldered it.

That is a possibility, if I start seeing random scoring again that will be the first thing to check. Thanks Andrew 

Matthew