On an electromechanical game the outhole only registers and returns the ball once per game; after that the ball sits in the outhole.

EM: outhole kicks the ball back only once per game: dirty score motor index switch

Cause: The first switch on the score motor's index stack was not making good contact, so the motor stopped about 80% of the way through its turn instead of running to the next index notch. A delay switch for the outhole relay on the same stack was left open, so the outhole circuit could not complete.

Checks

• Watch the score motor after the ball drains: it should always stop at an index notch.
• Use the schematic and a clip lead to bypass the switches in the outhole coil circuit one at a time; the coil firing with a switch bypassed shows which switch is open.

Fix

• Clean (and adjust if needed) the score motor index switch so the motor completes each cycle.

EM games run some circuits at line voltage; unplug the game before cleaning contacts, and take care when testing with power on.

Systems

• Electro-mechanical

Related tips

• Ball not kicked out of the outhole at game start: score motor 1D switch
• Score motor keeps running at game over, O relay stays in: score motor 2C switch
• 1000-point relay, ball index and chime lock on: dirty score motor switch
• Check the score motor switches before power-up
• Score motor switch numbering (Gottlieb and Bally)
• Why the score motor home switch arcs on opening only
• Getting at score motor switches, and slowing a sequence down
• Finding a Gottlieb score motor switch from its schematic name

Source: Pinball Repair help group!! (Facebook group)