The upper flipper fires weakly and won't stay up when the left button is held, while the main flipper works. Swapping in a known-good coil changes nothing.
Upper flipper weak and won't hold: second leaf switch on the lower flipper not touching
Cause: Power to the upper flipper is switched by a second leaf switch at the lower left flipper, and that switch's contacts were not touching.
Checks
- Hold the left flipper up and check the extra leaf switch at the lower flipper closes firmly.
- Check the flipper plunger, sleeve and linkage for wear while the mech is apart.
Fix
- Adjust (or replace) the second leaf switch so it makes solid contact; rebuild worn flipper parts.
Systems
Games
Related tips
- GI dims whenever the left flipper button is held: upper left flipper EOS not opening
- Flipper won't kick but holds if lifted by hand: dirty or worn EOS switch
- Small upper flipper fires repeatedly and drops: EOS contact tension
- Flipper machine-guns when the button is held
- Both right flippers dead, left works: wire at a coil lug not making contact
- Flipper sometimes ignores the first button press: replace the EOS switch
- Two upper flippers die after cleaning EOS switches: readjust the break-make pairs
- Upper flipper flutters, then dies: pitted EOS contacts
Source: Pinball Repair help group!! (Facebook group)