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Pinball missing error

robtherich

robtherich

Registered
5Years
Joined
Dec 11, 2015
Messages
109
Location
epsom surrey
Hi guys, i wonder if anyone can give me some advice regarding the above error message. upon investigation all these switches are defective
trough centre 16
left return lane 26
stand up target left 36
stand up target right top 46
top lane left 56
high chase loop 66
Ball Popper switch no76
now there all on the white / blue wire which appears to be connected to all switches and
all fuses appear ok, i wonder what systematic approach you experienced people would take to begin investigating the fault, if I'm to check continuity where do i start and finish
many thanks if anyone can help
Rob
 
What machine is this? Sounds like you have already discovered they are all on the same row or column, have you traced the wire all the way back to the board connector? And reseated that connector/checked the wire is secure in the connector?
 
thanks fellas, I should have mentioned its a T2 and also that although I'm a qualified electrician i have no experience with electronics, well out of my depth to be honest but keen to learn
 
No worries, we all started somewhere and we're all still learning!
As you can see from the switch matrix all those switches are on the same blue/white wire ( as you mentioned ) so just follow that wire from switch to switch and back to the board looking for a break/wire off or bad connection. As none of the switches in that row work the problem must be between the first switch ( trough center ) and the board. If everything still checks out ok then you may have a board issue which I'm sure someone else will jump in and give advice on. Another thing to check is the diode on each switch although I'm not sure wether a diode would take out a whole row.

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I suspect you'll find the problem is the connector on the board so find J209 and give the wire going to pin 7 a wiggle and see if that changes the behaviour :thumbs:
 
Hi, Rob,

Re. determining if the problem is with the Cpu board itself - for test purposes it's alright to power-up the machine with both the 'Column' and 'Row' connectors for the playfield detached from the circuit board (though of course you're then likely to get errors flagging up for various other items, depending on what game is concerned; Terminator 2 will probably develop a "Cannon Error" of some sort).

Then get into the 'Switch Edges' test T.1 and carefully use a length of wire to connect between the header pins for the suspected lines, in this case Row 6 and each individual Column pin in turn.

You should see the name & number of each switch displayed when the jumper is connected (even if the switch isn't used in the particular game, it'll probably show 'Not Used').

What this caper does is to simulate a working switch matrix, on a 'Column A out, returning at Row B, is Switch C' basis. It's sufficient to see if a switch problem is a pcb fault or something amiss with the playfield wiring. It's also handy if an unused switch hasn't been excluded from the 'Test Report' routine.

Also, as you may have already realised, the physical routing of each wire usually isn't in the order it's placed in the chart. It'll go first to the switch nearest where the harness attaches to the rear of the playfield, then work its way forward.
 
Jay Walker said:
Also, as you may have already realised, the physical routing of each wire usually isn't in the order it's placed in the chart. It'll go first to the switch nearest where the harness attaches to the rear of the playfield, then work its way forward.
Click to expand...

I didn't realise that although it obviously makes sense.
 
Simply because the trough switch is a normally closed switch so on boot up the cpu is looking for the trough switch state, if the whole row is down it will flag up the only switch error hence pinball missing.
 
kevlar said:
No worries, we all started somewhere and we're all still learning!
As you can see from the switch matrix all those switches are on the same blue/white wire ( as you mentioned ) so just follow that wire from switch to switch and back to the board looking for a break/wire off or bad connection. As none of the switches in that row work the problem must be between the first switch ( trough center ) and the board. If everything still checks out ok then you may have a board issue which I'm sure someone else will jump in and give advice on. Another thing to check is the diode on each switch although I'm not sure wether a diode would take out a whole row.

View attachment 26738
Click to expand...
Kevlar, is Pintrix any good just I don't see any reviews on it and it doesn't look like it's had many downloads?
 
Cmor111 said:
Kevlar, is Pintrix any good just I don't see any reviews on it and it doesn't look like it's had many downloads?
Click to expand...
Shows how many of us are into pinball :p. Its ok, If I need to see the matrix I load it up instead of reaching for the manual. Thats all it does really.
 
Thanks for all your help fellas, especially Kevlar for the switch matrix diagram, its working now although I'm not sure what the fault was, probably re-seating the J209 connector as ronsplooter suggested its a little bit annoying that i didnt locate a physical fault but the main thing is its working now
Im keen to learn and hope to be able to fix most of the problems in the future but its a bit daunting to say the least though this was sure made easier with all your help
Cheers
Rob
 
probably re-seating the J209 connector
Click to expand...

You could make it more reliable by putting a new connector on J209, ideally trifurcon molex. You could also take the board out, inspect the pins for J209 for any damage or corrosion. If they look ok then give them a clean with a fibreglass pencil then turn the board over and reflow the solder for each pin. That should eliminate J209 as being the problem and hopefully fixes the game so you won't have this issue again :thumbs:
 
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