New scary problem

[JamesM]

I’m having a new scary problem with my Shadow Hearts II, and I’m hoping some part is not burned out.
I will give you as detailed a description of the problem as I can. So here goes…

The game start knob does not start the reels turning. More details: When I power up, everything seems to be working; video, lights, and sound all work, including the reel lights, and coin feeding sound. Feeding tokens in properly registers as credits and the bet1 bet2 and bet3 LEDS light properly as coins are fed in. Once the credit display reaches over zero, the ready led lights as it should. The return credits button also works properly. However when you pull the start knob down or to the sides..the reels do not spin. Lastly, there is no error code. I'm fearing the worst...

[luckydog]

check the spin knob and wiring going to it and the spin/button board.

the spin knob may not e centering properly or msaybe a button is stuck

[yose]

Yes it acts like a loose connection on the spin knob like luckydog suggested. It was working before wasn't it.?

[JamesM]

Everything was working before. The spin knob component is a black plastic cylinder held with a large 30-ish mm lock nut. It has a 3-wire ribbon cable exiting the back of the plastic. There is no connector on the component side, the ribbon cable just exits the housing, and terminates in a tiny board connector.
I tried using WD-40 from the knob side. Knob movement improved, but did not fix the problem.
Next I will need to check continuity at the ribbon cables' connector nibs when moving the knob.
I want to do this before removing the knob assembly.

This step will have to wait , since I do not have a multimeter with fine -gauge test leads.
I also do not have a metric deep socket that large to unfasten the lock nut.

Something I just realized; The Start knob is used to lock the odds setting. If the problem is in the knob assembly's continuity, then i should not be able to change the odds level.
If I am able to lock a new odds mode, then the problem is in the logic somewhere after the start knob.
Any thoughts?

[yose]

Setting the odds with the knob could still be making contact on one lead but not with the other two leads that start the reels. It just seems odd that it worked then quit. It could still be a bad contact inside the switch.We will get it solved,one of the members will find the answer.

[luckydog]

i used large channel pliers to loosen rthe nut of one spin knob i had trouble with

it could be a stuck button or loose wire too

[jackdanielsx]

I feel really bad for not being able to help more so maybe this will help: If anyone is able to help fix this machine I will offer them a $50 credit for ANYTHING on the site.

[yose]

If the tokens are registering and the bet buttons are showing credits without an error , the next step goes to the spin knob or the reel cercuit board ,so check the connections at the reel board.They are usually off to the side of the of the main mother board ,and about 3by 6 inches with ribbon wires going to them, and have a fuse on the board , check that fuse and the connections.

[JamesM]

It's fixed Today I stumbled onto the cause and the solution.
The problem was bizarre…I had the extra length of power cord folded up behind the hopper.

Sometimes, but not always that cord bundle shifted and interfered with the contact nodes on the hopper. After I zip tied the cord bundle into a more tidy mass in to corner, the problem was fixed
Apparently the interference caused a logic fault in the wiring duplex.
What an awesome day; Apple liked my resume, AND my awesome pachislo is working again

[Lou]

JamesM says:
"What an awesome day; Apple liked my resume, AND my awesome pachislo is working again"

I feel really bad for not being able to help more so maybe this will help: If anyone is able to help fix this machine I will offer them a $50 credit for ANYTHING on the site.

Win, Win, & Win situation!

[yose]

That is great news what alot of stress for such an easy fix.Good kuck on your resume

[JamesM]

Once again Frank's helpful character comes through !