New Life Games Tech Forums

HI, I recently purchased a Bally Hi-Deal em pinball machine at a great price. Its a bit rough but it worked for about 1/2 hour just fine, until it started going batty! I'm hoping someone has seen this and can offer me some help.

When i turn on the machine, all lights come on and it sits there waiting for me to hit the start button. As soon as i hit the start button, the machine jumps to about 500 points automatically. When i hit the flippers the machine starts running up points, and will keep running up points as i keep hitting the flippers. It's like it has a mind of its own. It's obvious something is stuck, but i just don't know where to begin looking. Can anyone give a suggestion.

Thank-you in advance,

Sincerely, john

you have a leaf switch that is a little too close, therefore any slight vibration such as the flippers engaging will cause the points to roll up. Find out what the point value is that is rolling up and you can narrow down as to which switch is a little too close. most of the time it is a thumper bumper or a slingshot switch. Once found, adjust the switch open ever so slightly until it will not read on a slight vibration. They make a leaf switch adjust tool for this purpose, but a small pair of needle nose pliars will work in a pinch.

Without a manual, it will be tricky. On the MPU controlled Bally machines, you can put it in test mode and it will display a number that corresponds with the stuck switch. But that machine is all 'mechanical'. Might have to just inspect every set of contacts. But you might be able to narrow it down by looking at the targets that score 500 points since it does it as soon as you hit start. .

well i say it's jumping up to 500 when turned on, but not all in one shot. It goes in what seems 100 point increments and sometimes it stops at 200 sometimes 600, so i'm guessing it is one of the 100 point bumpers or slingshots like the first poster said.  Then when i start hitting the flippers the points start jumping. It's crazy!

This is a huge help and I want to thank you guys for your troubleshooting suggestions. It will get me started in what to look for tomorrow and hopefully get this machine up and running again. \

All help and suggestions welcomed!


Sincerely, John

easy fix if you follow  br post i would have said same thing good luck  on em pins just like em  slots there  nothing you can,t fix

- Thanks BR and everyone else who answered. I got it working and yes the problem was a stuck relay, thx for your expertise! -  and happy thanksgiving.


John