Bally 873 Handle Assembly Stuck Forward

[midwestjim7]

Plugged in my 873 yesterday, dropped in 5 quarters, pulled the handle.  Reels did not spin and handle "locked" forward.  Might not make a difference, but machine was turned off previously with the last play being a winner.  When we dropped in the 5 quarters yesterday, the "Winner Paid" light did NOT go out.
This machine has worked perfectly up until yesterday.  I'm probably a newbie, so go easy on me  (thanks).
Any ideas or guidance would be most appreciated!

[OldReno]

First thing to try is while pulling the handle down, push back firmly on the pump arm of your dashpot/air cylinder.  Often that will pop it loose.
If that don't work, we'll try step #2.  I thought I posted somewhere a thread on how to release stuck handles, but don't see it.
try the pump arm trick first, and if that don't work, I'll dig out drawings of handle and tell you which part to tug on.

[midwestjim7]

I have a copy of Marshall Fey's Service Manual for Bally EM 64-80, but in the exploded diagrams of handle mechanism assembly can find no reference to dashpot, air cylinder, pump arm.  Is there another part name I'm looking for and missing?  I'll attach a picture of the assembly if that helps.  Again, thanks from an old guy who is a newbie.

[OldReno]

The pump arm is just to the right of the bottom orange symbol on your 3rd reel.  Push hard on that while you pull the handle firmly down. It is that thin piece that slides into your air cylinder, which is the yellow looking tube on the right, setting horizontal. Give it a shot and let us know if that works.
and, BTW, thanks for the picture.  Photos are ALWAYS helpful!!!!

[midwestjim7]

Sorry to report that procedure had no effect on the stuck handle.  Your description of the parts in the picture was perfect, though.  I tried this a number of times, and think I applied about 35 or 40 pounds of force, to no avail.  I really appreciate your taking time to help me.  thanks.

[OldReno]

OK, now look at your picture of the handle mech that you sent.
Near the top of the inside of the handle you have two little mechanisms floating there above your black half-gear (which shows halfway pulled down).  One of those, the front one, you'll see has a spring on the right hand side of it.  While gently putting a little pressure on the handle, pull that side with the spring towards you to release it from the gear. (release it up from the tooth of your black gear)  While holding it away from the gear, see if that releases the handle. I think it's called the full step pawl or something like that.
If that don't work, we'll try step 3.

[midwestjim7]

Handle still stuck after attempting this procedure a number of times.  Your description and instructions matched perfectly, but handle would still not release no matter how I manipulated that pawl with the spring.

[OldReno]

OK. Unplug machine, and remove hopper.  Reach Waaaaay back to the back of the handle box, and up about 3 or 5 inches, and you will feel a little lever poking out the back.  As you hold on to and very slightly pull down on the handle, at the same time pull down on that horizontal lever you feel sticking out the back, about half way up the handle box.  That should release your handle.
Let us know if it works....

[Amachanic]

This this sounds like one I worked on about a month ago. Everything on the reels assembly was so dried out a sticky from lack of lubrication I couldnt get the handle back. All the links and lever pivot points were frozen. It took me a day but I had it back up and spinning. If they can get the handle back the first thing to do is clean and grease the air cylinders piston.

[midwestjim7]

Wow!  Removed the hopper, manipulated that little lever as you instructed, and--as if by magic--the handle released back to the "ready" position.  The Winner Paid light is now out when I plugged the machine back in.  However, coins now drop thru and do not register, and the handle will not pull down.  The machine 'thinks' it has received 5 coins (from when the handle originally locked) but as the reels did NOT spin on those 5 coins, it somehow needs to be "re-set" ?????

[Amachanic]

On the top of the handle box assembly is a lever sticking out the top just above the pawl and spring. Take your finger and hold that forward while pulling the handle. That should release the handle so it can be pulled. Your machine being an early EM you can spin the reel with out without power if you release the handle manually, it just won't pay out on any jackpot won. It's a good way to test your handle.

Gary

[midwestjim7]

Found that lever, released it, pulled the handle down, and it stuck again.  Reels did not spin, so I was back to my "original" problem.  But now that I've been schooled so well by you all, I could go back in and release the handle.  So it must be that the reels are gummed up and is it correct if they don't spin, that's why the handle locks?

[OldReno]

You can test the kick of your reels by taking the mech out, set it on a table, and with the palm of your hand push hard on that pump arm we talked about.  that should kick and spin your reels.  With your other hand hold firmly onto the front of the mech.
After you do this check on the left side of the mech to see that your fan is spinning properly, and that things seem ok....
If probably wont take coins until you get the reels to finally spin and reset your coin relay assembly (which is on the left side of the reel mech).  You can pull out reel mech and reset that latch back to normal, and then it should take coins.
Thread here --  http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?topic=17706.0 on how to get free plays.
I'm glad you got handle unstuck!

[midwestjim7]

Many thanks for your patience and for schooling me in 'the great handle release'.  Your help is most appreciated!

[OldReno]

My pleasure, glad to be of help.
When EM's are cold, the grease and oil hardens, and often the machine will not work right until it is plugged in for awhile and heats up.  You can help correct this by oiling the bearing points with a light oil, to get some of that hard grease loose.
In casinos, they are on all the time so this is not a problem.  At home however, they get cold so need time to heat up.
Keep us posted, it's been fun.