Zipper flippers no longer close, or the close coil is scorched.

Zipper flippers won't close: burnt close solenoid

Cause: The close solenoid (50 V, about 5 ohms) pulls the flippers together and latches on a nylon tooth; a release relay unlatches them. If the zipper EOS switch that releases the close coil doesn't open, the coil burns; an over-size fuse lets it cook instead of blowing. The release relay lugs can also short to the frame.

Checks

• Measure the close coil: about 5 ohms is right; under 1 ohm is a dead short.
• Check the zipper EOS switch opens.
• Confirm the fuse is the correct 1.5 A slow-blow.
• Check the release relay lugs are clear of the metal frame.

Fix

• Rewind or replace the close coil.
• Fit the correct fuse.
• Insulate the release relay lugs with electrical tape.

Systems

• Electro-mechanical

Games

• 4 Queens
• Bazaar
• Capersville
• Cosmos
• Dixieland
• Dogies
• Doozie
• Four Million B.C.
• Hayburners II
• Joker
• Joust
• MiniZag
• Nip-It
• Op-Pop-Pop
• Rocket III
• RockMakers
• Student Prince
• Surfers
• The Wiggler

Related tips

• Bally zipper flipper solenoids changed at Capersville
• Zipper flipper rebuild parts and stronger coils
• Which games have zipper flippers
• Zipper flipper base plate tension screws
• An EM flipper coil is two windings
• How an EM flipper coil and its EOS switch work
• Rebuild EM flippers before fitting stronger coils
• Bally and 1948-62 Williams (50 V) EM flipper coils

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