Burning Popeye problem.

[PinballDaze]

Not literally burning it but....

Recently had a call to fix a Popeye. After sorting out the board problems, tested out with a few games of the old salty seadog.

All worked well except for one hiccup.
Shooting ball into centre hole would fire the solenoid 3 times before it popped out. When it was ready for locking, it worked fine.
It did sound like the ball had not reached the solenoid plunger and the firing eventually made the ball roll further down.
Notice a small gate or flap in the trough and was suspicious of this. Intending to get this sorted out the next service visit. Anyone had this problem before?

 

[Jay Walker]

The ones I tended to had a problem like that when new. The one-way gate is there to make a ball entering the trough move sideways into the holding stack. It used to catch a ball occasionally. I tilted the whole assembly to one side, favouring the locking stack (on the right?). But it could also be a problem with the locking pin not allowing a ball to pass easily.

 

[Paul]

Lol - i was going to say - I wouldnt have any problems whatsoever with Burning a popeye!!!

 

[Sgt GrizZ]

Lol - i was going to say - I wouldnt have any problems whatsoever with Burning a popeye!!!

 

[Paul]

Again??

 

[Sgt GrizZ]

Again??

Yes

 

[rowansalger1973]

I tilted the whole assembly to one side, favouring the locking stack (on the right?).

How did you tilt the assembly? Some kind of spacer or washer perhaps?

Mine doesn't seem to register the lock all of the time. All switches seem to work in test and when I roll a ball down slowly it always recognises the lock. However during gameplay a solid hit sometime fails to award the lock and simply kicks back out. Any thoughts?

 

[Moonraker]

I'm happy to guess... someone fitted the wrong type of switch lever/wire.

Like this:
http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/5647-12693-04
Instead of one like this:
http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/5647-12693-19
Eg more surface area is required for the ball to push down and activate the switch...

 

[rowansalger1973]

Here are some pics of the assembly.

 

[PinballDaze]

Thanks Rowan,

Will have a better look/ dismantle on the next service.

Dave

 

[Jay Walker]

How did you tilt the assembly? Some kind of spacer or washer perhaps?

Mine doesn't seem to register the lock all of the time. All switches seem to work in test and when I roll a ball down slowly it always recognises the lock. However during gameplay a solid hit sometime fails to award the lock and simply kicks back out. Any thoughts?

Yes, a washer placed between the playfield and frame at each of the screw holes on the side I wanted to tilt it to. This slightly altered the trajectory of a ball being ejected, but not to the extent of making it a case of SDTM.