RHS sticky flipper - Cactus Jack's

[ajlaird]

This problem is intermittent, usually occurs when the flipper button is held in (I like to trap the ball), and is quickly solved by tapping the flipper button a second time.

Any suggestions of what to look for in attempting to fix this? I am under the bonnet right now.

[dj10555]

You could check that the coil sleeve is not worn ( or replace anyway for a few dollars), check that the EOS switch is not bent or broken and catching on the flipper pawl, also check that there is a bit of free play between the flipper bat the the bush and that the flipper is not dragging on the playfield. Hopefully should be one of the above.

regards Derek

[goodolddays]

If none of the above .. check the flipper cabinet switch is not sticking .. ie might need a clean

[ajlaird]

EOS appears to be operating just fine - it is normally closed and definitely opens when the flipper is activated. No flipper drag; no sticky cabinet switch as far as I can tell.

I will check if I have a spare coil sleeve.

And I will need to find out what happens if EOS is mostly open in case it is not closing properly.

[ajlaird]

Pulled out the sleeve and it is 'ridged' internally. There are a series of very noticeable ridges formed at various points along it, and most noticeably a couple towards the end of travel which could well be causing this problem.

Now, being a Gottlieb my spare Williams coil sleeves are too long - and I am meant to be taking the machine to a Childrens' Carnival on Saturday... So does anyone know where I can get hold of a suitable sleeve today?

[Pintoxicated]

If you can't pick one up today from Mark, Greg or Bumper, I would try (as a quick and temporary fix to get the machine working for tomorrow) cutting down a Wms sleeve.  You could either file it down, cut with a coping saw and then file smooth or if you have a grinder, cut it down with that.

Can you actually remove the sleeve from the coil, possibility it may be stuck in there which then poses another problem of getting the new sleeve in once the old one is out - you would have to either replace the coil or file it out with a round file until you can get the sleeve to go in easily.

[Pinball]

If its only the length of the sleeve that is an issue, just cut it down to the correct length.

[ajlaird]

The sleeve came out easily enough (wasn't melted on or anything like that), but when I looked through the sleeve I noticed a series of dirty circles, which when I lightly ran a screwdriver down the length of the sleeve, proved to be ridges.

I could cut one of the Williams sleeves down to length; obviously if someone sells the Gottlieb sleeve I would prefer to buy the correct one!

[MartyJ]

Andrew, PM sent.

[dj10555]

If the sleeve has ridges then the plunger is probably burred on the end and scraping. If you need it running for the weekend you can file the sharp edges off but to fix it properly it would be better to put through a flipper rebuild kit which will replace the plunger, sleeves, EOS switches, pawl, bushes, springs.

regards Derek

[ajlaird]

Andrew, PM sent.

Thanks, installed a sleeve you very kindly dropped off, but unfortunately the problem is still there (and worse, really - less intermittent, which may be a good thing as it should be easier to troubleshoot).

Doing more testing, and EOS definitely is working at the switch level. (Normally closed and most definitely is; and it's actuating when the plunger operates.)

Next I will check the plunger for burring; otherwise I am looking at some sort of electrical or electronic fault I guess.

[ajlaird]

OK, I sandpapered the plunger and it is no longer sticking regularly like it was after I replaced the sleeve. It is still sticking occasionally, but I can live with that for now (for most people they won't keep the ball in play long enough to notice...).

Derek, I think you are right - a flipper kit is in order.

Are these for sale here in Australia (Gottlieb System 3)?

[Strangeways]

Andrew

When it does get stuck - turn the game off.

Does it stay raised ? - Then you know it is physical. By the sounds of things - it is. You can create a distance between the bushing and the flipper bat by tapping the bottom of the shaft - This reduces friction and creates a small gap between the bushing and the flipper body/shaft.

[ajlaird]

Thanks for the hint, Nino, but I have given up on it tonight.

When stuck if you tap the playfield near the coil (or slap the cabinet) it does release.

If I get time tomorrow I will try out your idea.

[Strangeways]

Thanks for the hint, Nino, but I have given up on it tonight.

When stuck if you tap the playfield near the coil (or slap the cabinet) it does release.

If I get time tomorrow I will try out your idea.

sounds physical - which is what I thought. Could be that the coil stop is magnetized, so the preferred fix is as Derek suggested - but short term, it sounds like a simple adjustment.