Measure every coil before powering up a newly bought EM

Steps

• Leave the game unplugged.
• Set the meter to its lowest resistance range.
• Touch the probes to the two lugs of each coil; most can be checked without lifting wires.
• Expect 2 ohms or more. Anything under 2 ohms (or open) is a bad coil: replace it before switching on.

A coil that once locked on has usually cooked itself to near zero ohms and will blow fuse after fuse until it is replaced. The check takes a minute and can save hours.

Systems

• Electro-mechanical

Related tips

• Coil stops by maker
• Coil sleeves and plungers to keep
• Typical EM coil resistances
• EM coil voltage by maker
• What makes a coil stronger or weaker
• Bally C0- coil numbers and their replacements
• When a coil can be measured without unsoldering
• Normal EM coil resistance range

Source: Repairing Electro-Mechanical (EM) Coin Operated Games to 1978, Part Two, Clay Harrell (pinrepair.com)