After sitting unused for a year, pressing start sets the score motor running and it never stops; the start-up sequence only completes if the relay bank is reset by hand. The score reels do reset to zero.
Score motor keeps running at start and the game never starts: clean the ball count unit
Cause: Dirty contacts on the ball count stepper unit, so the start-up circuit never saw the unit reach its home position.
Checks
- Confirm every score reel stops at zero with its zero-position switches open.
- Reseat the Jones plugs between the backbox, motor board and cabinet.
- Inspect the ball count unit's wiper and contacts, and the score motor switch stacks, for dirt or arcing (watching in a dim room helps).
Fix
- Clean the ball count stepper unit (wiper, contacts and switches) and check its switches make and break properly.
Some reset coils on EMs run on higher AC voltages; keep hands clear of contacts with the game on.
Systems
Games
Related tips
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- Gottlieb multi-player: motor runs on at player 1 ball 1
- Won't start a game or reset the score reels: burnt game-over relay coil
Source: Pinball Repair help group!! (Facebook group)