Replace batteries of unknown age right away
Leaking cells spill onto the CPU and driver boards, and their fumes alone can gray the ROM sockets and the 40-pin interboard connector without visible damage. That causes lockups, resets, audit-mode starts or a dead game. Gray or green pins on a socket or header are a sign of battery fumes.
Systems
Related tips
- Move the CPU batteries off the board
- System 3 with no batteries boots into audit mode
- Batteries drain in days or get hot
- Battery holder looks fine but makes no contact
- Boots straight into the adjustments menu: corroded battery holder
- Lights up but dead after storage: leaked batteries on the board
- Clean battery corrosion off a CPU board
- Game powers up in audit mode
Source: Repairing Williams System 3 to System 7 Pinball 1977 to 1984, Part One, Clay Harrell (pinrepair.com)