Help with Thunderbirds Pachinko

[Peteybob]

Tiny black volume knob with many positions. Located in the center near the top of the cell in back.
The range is from almost mute to very loud assuming no after market volume controls were added.

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[Peteybob]

If you still have no sound then look at the wire harness with the white plug at the upper left corner of my last picture and at the other end of it. The sound channels run thru the bottom right three wires. Check these for damage or alterations.

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When you start up with the reset button depressed you will be welcomed with a deafening alarm. Simply turn off the power and power it up normally to bypass the alarm. This also happens when the cell is put in place or swapped.

[Peteybob]

If you still have no sound then look at the wire harness with the white plug at the upper left corner of my last picture and at the other end of it. The sound channels run thru the bottom right three wires. Check these for damage or alterations.

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When you start up with the reset button depressed you will be welcomed with a deafening alarm. Simply turn off the power and power it up normally to bypass the alarm. This also happens when the cell is put in place or swapped.

Hmmm, my picture appears upside down but if I click on it then it is correct.

[Peteybob]

I've been trying to recreate your error code #4 and this what I found so far.
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By unplugging this connector the error #4 comes up. You might start by checking these wires and where they connect behind the circuit board.
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[Weaselcheese85]

Awesome, thanks. I had found this, albeit after a while. Apologies, the sound issue is with a separate machine (Pachislo).

The sound on the pachinko works fine, and yes, the screeching alarm too. Lol

[Weaselcheese85]

Ok great, I've taken that out, checked and put it back and the error is still there. I'm gunna remove it and check each wire piece by piece. Any idea what that cable actually does, or if disconnected, means it doesn't do? Cheers

[Peteybob]

I haven't dissected it any further and not sure if I dare to. I'll look a bit further and see I what might find for you.

[Peteybob]

Another question could be, is the issue within the video board or somewhere deeper within from where that cable comes from. A simple old automotive test can be done first. At the CN4 connection and all connected and powered up, wiggle each wire to see if the error code goes away. Could be as simple as a loose or damaged wire.

[Peteybob]

Here's the error code list which is on the video card casing.

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[Weaselcheese85]

Yeah Ive had a look, everything visible is fine it seems. May have to take the next layer off and try from there. See where all the wires go and try each one.

I have the same thing on the casing but can't get a good translation on it. Thanks though.

[Peteybob]

I traced the error to a ball sensor behind the trap door for jackpot winnings. Do you get a payout of balls if you put a ball in here? (Caution the tamper alarm will sound.)

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If no winnings then check the sensor wires. The sensor could have failed as well or could be out of place in which case balls may be jammed up. Remove the video board case on the back to see the wires and sensor.

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The black CN11 connection that I have unplugged leads to the ball sensor (with copper ring) in the back lower left of the picture. Thru a process of elimination I believe this is your error/issue.

To further disassemble and access the sensor you will want to remove the cell which is very easy.

[Peteybob]

By the way I meant to say that you can also check the gears which run Thunderbird 2 as they are set up behind the video board casing. Just a fyi if needed for further diagnostics.

[takethecastle57]

I wonder what happens to all the designs ,Schematics,blueprints, and flow charts for the modern Pachi's that we have and are being designed and made right now .

I mean are they just Deleted after the machines are Retired or what ?

[Weaselcheese85]

Right, with your help I've made some progress..... I think. I checked the slot, it released balls. So I thought right, what if it's the actual mechanism. So I ran it to bonus mode. That all works as it should.

To this point I had checked all other slot with the IR symbol, all of which released balls. The only one that didn't was the on beneath go where the little flippers open during bonus. But it makes sense that they don't in normal play.

But when you get to the round after bonus, that slot DOES release balls, however it is not opening, I have to physically put a ball in there. However I have seen them move during play, so the mechanism works, but it's not working now.

But if I'm right, at the middle right near where the balls enter the field there is a passthrough that has TB on it, which I believe, based on my other machines, should start the flippers opening. This isn't doing anything. So I wonder if that's the culprit. I'm going to take it apart.... Again, and see if I can get to that. On the board at the back it's the green on the far right and the cable runs all the way up unlike the others.16481272345201472265403740638133.jpg

[Weaselcheese85]

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These flippers

[Weaselcheese85]

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This sensor.

I'm basing what I think should happen on other machines I've had. I think a ball going through this should activate the flippers.

[Weaselcheese85]

It's mad, finding any kind of manual is a nightmare. It's just places like this, people are the manuals.

[Weaselcheese85]

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On my avengers machine, the go (which is the same thing as the TB on Thunderbirds, activates the red flipper in bonus mode. If a ball doesn't go through go, the flipper doesn't open.

[Weaselcheese85]

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The same thing happens on star wars 3D, the switch activates the V switch. Hoping this is the issue. Fingers crossed.

[Weaselcheese85]

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And after completely removing the suspected sensor from m the frame, it appears to be the culprit seeing as the cable was not attached.