Funhouse Steps Opto misbehaving

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Recently on my Funhouse any switch in column 5 is triggering the steps opto (also in column 5). Also, a lot of switches in the game (not just colums 5), when held down in switch test, will re-trigger every few seconds. CPU board looks good, reseated the molex connectors, not sure where to go from here. Any help appreciated.

Edit: connecting between the pins on the cpu board makes the switches act fine so it's on the playfield somewhere.

Cheers
Steve

 

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I got it. Bad j209 molex. Applying a bit of upward pressure fixed both the issues.

 

[cooldan]

what does J209 do?

 

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what does J209 do?

I'm no expert but this is my understanding. It's the connector on the CPU board where the switch rows are attached. If taken out, all playfield switches are disabled as the switch matrix is not connected. In my case the connector was corroding and causing switches to flick on/off at random times. I should point out though that the opto problem, after going away briefly, has returned so something else is wrong here. Still looking for info on this. Cheers

 

[Moonraker]

Try reflowing opto solder connections for both the transmitter and receiver, if it continues it could be an indication that the opto itself on the way out....

 

[cooldan]

i'm no expert, but if it's *all* the optos then you might want to look at the opto board, maybe it needs some header pins' solder reflowed

alternatively, if it's everything in one column, that can indicate a bad LM339 chip

you might also want to see if your problem is coming from leaky batteries?

post more details and someone here will get it diagnosed

 

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Hmmmm... both optos (rudy jaw and steps) are now triggering when any switch activates in column 5. Is it likely these are both failing at the same time or does this point to the opto board? Perhaps the lm339 that you mention? Do these chips flake out like this?

Edit: I re-read your post cooldan so I'll take the opto board out and reflow the pins.

 

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Got a bit of time to work on this tonight. Reflowed the opto board pins. Replaced the lm339 on the opto board. Replaced the steps opto (transmitter and reciever). Problem still persists (all switches in column 5 triggering steps opto, rudy jaw opto also triggering randomly). Any ideas? Is there any other likely culprits on the opto board perhaps?

Cheers
Steve

 

[Moonraker]

Any ideas? Is there any other likely culprits on the opto board perhaps?

I'd look for broken wires to/from opto's to the opto board and then for broken wires from opto board to MPU.

 

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Fixed! Turns out the j206 connector was dodgy too. All back to normal after replacing it.