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I just acquired a IGT Fortune I Model 701 video poker machine.  I am getting a "coin in" "time out" error after resetting it and playing one game.  I am not sure where to start.  It seems that the hopper is not working as it doesn't move.  Is there a good way to go about troubleshooting hopper issues?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

A coin in timeout would have to do with the optics or microswitches that tell the machine that a coin has been inserted.  A coin out issue would be related to the hopper.

I've never worked on a Fortune I -- are there optics for the coin-in area (ie. how does the machine know that a valid coin has been inserted)?

You mentioned that the hopper doesn't move -- are you expecting it to try and pay out (ie. you hit a winning hand) and it's not?  Are you able to play one game every time after you cycle the power and then get a coin-in timeout every time?  Is it accepting coin(s) for the first game?

yes, it seems related to the coin in area.  After I reset the machine (by turning the key on top right to the left triggering), i have to then manually flip the coin switch wire in order for the game to work.  After the game ends, either a no win or a win where it increments the credits, it then throws the coin in error.   If the machine shows the coin in error then it will not accept coins.  I have to do the 2 steps above and then i can put a coin in which goes into the hopper.   Do you think i need a new coin switch?  Like the one shown in this link -

http://cgi.ebay.com/BALLY-SLOT-MACHINE-COIN-SWITCH-E53-/150355106856?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2301dcdc28 (http://cgi.ebay.com/BALLY-SLOT-MACHINE-COIN-SWITCH-E53-/150355106856?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2301dcdc28)

Wait, so you're saying that there's a microswitch that's physically binding?  What happens if you fool the door switch into thinking the door is closed, then operate the coin-in switch by hand (making sure to return it to the "home" position after you activate it)?  If that works, see if you can see what is causing the switch to bind -- it may be a very simple physical fix.  The machine is reporting a tilt because the switch is getting stuck activated.

Kevin  you really need JIM on this one. No coin optics in the machine, uses the old coin mech, not a comparator. Fortune I will not store credits and pays out on every hit. Coin drops from coin head through coin mech, and if it's a good coin trips the wire/micro switch is counted as a credit (wrong word ) and goes to hopper.

If I'm reading this right, you can manually operate the wire micro and it works, it must be good switch.  If the hopper is frozen up that will give you a time-out on every win as the hopper hasn't paid out the proper amount.


As I see it you have two problems, the hopper and the coin mech. First make sure your using the right size coin. I would pull the coin mech. out and while holding it drop different size coins into it. Much like a comparator the good coin will drop out the left side and a wrong one out the right side and back to the tray. I think I still have a whole box of them. Op Bell posted a real good thread on these not to long ago.

Hopper   tear it apart and get it unfrozen if possible. Before you get to carried away, wait for a PRO to confirm all that I just said.

Kevin I wouldn't bet the Ranch on this statement, but I don't think a Fortune I cares if the door is open or closed.

Well after rereading reply 2 the coin mech. is good. Machine will not except a new coin because it's in coin time out error.  HOPPER has to be the dirty DOG.

If it was a coin-out timeout I'd agree with you, Buzz, but according to the error message he's getting, this is a coin-in issue.

He reported (as best as I can understand) that the coin-in microswitch is getting stuck after a coin drops through.  The game recognizes that one coin has been inserted, but then tilts with a coin-in error as the switch remains closed, rather than returning to its normally open position.

Also, depending on configuration, the Fortune I can hold credits.  I've seen it with my own two eyes.   :186-

I will certainly defer to Jim's expertise, however.

It does seem related to the coin-in switch getting stuck.  It also appears that the machine is holding the credits based.  I have a video that may provide some help that i can post later.  A few questions - Should I replace the coin-in switch?  Will this machine support a coin comparator?  Is there a benefit to switching to a coin comparator?

For home use there is really no need to switch to a coin comparator.  All the comparator will do is replace the physical acceptor/rejector that exists in your machine (the part the coin falls through before it reaches the problem microswitch which determines if it's a valid coin or not).  It'd also likely be a pain to retrofit it into your machine, especially if it was never designed to do so.

I'll ask again, when you operate the switch by hand, is there anything physically binding the switch (preventing it from returning to its "home" position)?  If so, can you resolve that?  If not, the switch may have developed a broken spring within it, or is just plain old.

The switch you linked to on eBay would likely work, but there really isn't anything too special about that particular microswitch -- it's just a small switch designed to close a contact momentarily, in your case to tell the machine that a valid coin has passed through.


Also, if you want to test your hopper...

With the machine off, move the coin-in microswitch to its normal resting state (ie. waiting for a coin to trigger it), and turn on the machine.  If you have credits on the machine, try pressing the "cash out" or "cash/credit" (or similarally labeled) button if you want to see if the hopper is working.  (Keep in mind, this may open another can of worms if the hopper is indeed broken, so you may want to wait on that until you get the coin-in issue resolved.)

that is strictly a mechanical motion using the weight of the coin to push down the wire and change the state of the switch from N.O.(normally open) to N.C.(normally closed). the switch is activated for only a split second and then returns to the at rest position. the at rest position is usually at the one o'clock position, the coin will usually fall off the wire at the five o'clock position. 

the trip wire (as shown in the link) goes into a open channel approx. 1/8 inch wide and the slot resembles a banana. for its arc shape. that wire is usually centered in that channel so when it is depressed it does not hit anything along its movement from top to bottom. if it hits anywhere along that channel then you have to gently bend the wire so it travels smoothly.
two types of switches were used on those models, the one pictured in the link, see where the wire attaches to the switch pivot point, there is a kink in the wire shape this holds the wire in place so it won't move, sometimes it gets loose and could be your problem.
the second type uses a star washer to hold the wire in place, if it is missing then the wire could move a bind along the channel.
the motion form top to bottom CANNOT BE INTERFERED WITH or the wire will stick and you will get the error message.
all this can be tested and reshaped with the power off, use your finger to test the motion of the wire, it should snap back everytime without hesitation.

Jim

There is nothing binding the switch.  I can move it back and forth by hand freely but it does not spring back.  I will work on getting this resolved before moving on to the hopper. I will keep you posted. Thanks

I tried the hopper as you mentioned and it works fine.  I just need to fix the switch.  I think i will order a new one and see if that does it.

Good deal.  Aside from the wire part, there's nothing especially unique about the switch -- it's just a microswitch -- you may be able to find a similar switch at a local electronics store.

Before you disconnect the wires of your existing switch, make sure to note (or label the wires if they look identical) which wire goes to which pole on the switch so you'll be able to hook up the replacement switch correctly.