Tracing a dead playfield switch to its relay
Steps
- Once the playfield switch itself is proven good, find it on the schematic (the schematic does not follow the physical layout).
- Follow its wires to the relay coil it operates and note the relay name or letter code.
- Find that relay in the game by its label.
- Work the relay armature by hand and watch its switch stack for a contact that stays closed or never makes.
- Use the wire colours to pick out the right switch on the stack, allowing for faded colours (red to pink, yellow to tan, white to grey).
Systems
Related tips
- Game resets but will not start: adjust hold relay and reset-completed relay latch
- Game starts but flippers are dead and nothing scores: dirty relay switches
- Ball-in-play and game-over lights all dead: bent switch blade on the O relay
- 10-point relay sticks on every time 10 points score: adjust the relay's own switch
- Start button does nothing but the start relay works by hand: dirty inertia switch
- Gottlieb relay return springs
- How latch-trip (interlock) relays work
- Relay banks and their reset coil
Source: Pinball Machine Care & Maintenance, Bernard B. Kamoroff (Bell Springs Pinball Alley)