Machine won't accept coins - they drop straight out!

[DGA3]

I've had a Universal "Silver Bullet" slot machine (1993?) for many years, and up until now it has worked perfectly. However, it recently stopped accepting quarters. In fact, they shoot straight through and back out of the coin return. Nothing has been done to the machine that would have made it stop working, and all appears to be normal.

The "tilt" light is not on, but neither is the "insert coin" light. The only odd thing is that there is a "12" in the win meter. There is a 0 in both the "last game coins played" and "coins played" readouts.

Does the 12 indicate a battery problem, or is that not an error code?

When I remove the coin mech/cutter and drop a quarter in, they appear to go to the correct place (down and to the left). When I put it back in the machine, though, the quarters do not go into the machine - they come out of the front.

Help, please! 

[uniman]

The 12 is an error code indicating loss of memory, usually caused by the battery. It is rechargeable and maybe ok.
You need to perform a ram clear.
Open the door and remove the coin tray. Assuming your mpu board is on the left side, there is a small round hole in the bottom middle of the mpu case. With the power off put your finger in the hole and you will feel a small push button. Push and hold it in and power the machine on at the same time. Hold the button in for about 3 seconds and release.
This will clear the faulty memory. Reinsert tray, close and lock the door and it should now take coins.

Leave it on for awhile to recharge the battery. If error 12 happens everytime you restart the machine than the battery should be replaced. It is soldered on the mpu board.

Also, you should examine the battery for any leakage. They can damage your mpu board. Replace if necessary.

[Buzz]

there is a small round hole in the bottom middle  put your finger in the hole and you will feel a small push button. Push and hold it in  for about 3 seconds and release.
This will clear the faulty memory.

 

Jim   In my youth I tried all this, I even held the button longer than 3 seconds, She never forgot anything I had ever done wrong !!

[uniman]

there is a small round hole in the bottom middle  put your finger in the hole and you will feel a small push button. Push and hold it in  for about 3 seconds and release.
This will clear the faulty memory.

 

Jim   In my youth I tried all this, I even held the button longer than 3 seconds, She never forgot anything I had ever done wrong !!

  I knew I was setting myself up with that explanation! Just wasn't sure who was going to be the jokester. Shoulda figured!!

[DGA3]

It WORKED!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

This machine has been a lot of fun for many years, and I was so disappointed that it developed a problem. At first I couldn't locate the button you were talking about, as I was looking for something more in a traditional sense (something larger that stuck out). However, after feeling around inside of one of the two holes on that panel, I found the very small and flat button that you were talking about. I held it, and as soon as I turned the power on, I knew it had worked, because all of the familiar sounds came on again. I closed up the machine and everything looked  normal on the front again as well. Putting it to the test, I dropped a few quarters in, and it worked perfectly.

I really appreciate your help. Thanks again.

[uniman]

Glad to hear it!!

Your machine could have the 8116 or 8800 board. The 8116 has a small black button about 3/8" across and the 8800 has a tiny white button about 1/16" across. Both are very flat and just a touch is needed.
And where the mpu is located depends what style cabinet you have. Most mpu's are on the left side of the hopper. Some models have the mpu behind the hopper.
 
The Silver Bullet was a popular game and has the "third reel reach" feature when reels #1 & #2 have 7's. Third reel spins a little longer with different spin music.