Target Alpha drop target problems (1976)

[Jimise]

I have a Gottlieb Target Alpha EM pinball machine from 1976.
I am having a problem with the row of 10 drop targets in the front of the machine.
If you only knock down 8 of the targets, they all will go back up when you go to the next ball.
If all of the targets are are down, They will all almost pop up, but they will all just go back down.
I have not really worked on pinball machines, So if anyone has an idea what the problem
could be, That would be appreciated!
Other than the targets, The machine works great!

Thanks, Jim........

[BR549 Auto Sales]

Sounds like the drop target reset coil switch (under the platfield) may be too close and is touching with the vibration of the game being played, just adjust the gap slightly to open it up a little. If that does not work, then it may be the drop target reset relay in the bottom of the cabinet, same issue, may be a little too close on the reed switch, so adjust it out a little. There should be a printed decal beside the relay that tells you what it activates. Try that and if it does not work, post your results and we'll take it from there.

Good luck,

David

[billb707]

With those switches always adjust the short one.  A guy told me that a zillion years ago.  He was right the short one is the stationary one.

Those games are really primitive computers.  The switches on the pf are the inputs, the software is hardwired literally, in the bank of relays on the rt side of the box underneath, the score motor is the microprocessor, and the reels are the output device. 


I had a target alpha back in 1992 of all things.

[billb707]

The artwork on the one kneeling isnt bad either

[Jimise]

Well I got the target problem fixed. One of the two coils that push
the targets back up had a broken connection.  Soldered the wire back on, Good to go!

But now for some reason, none of the light box lights are working.....

Just my luck   

Thanks for the suggestions!  Jim......

[BR549 Auto Sales]

Sounds like you blew a 15 amp fuse for the back box illumination.

[billb707]

the last project pinball i did was a 1974 Out of Sight GTB, I called Steve at Pinball Resource, and he can sell you just about anything for your game.  He had all the parts you could ever hope to buy.  Reproduction plastics for the coin areas, drop targets, everything.  If you replace a lot of that stuff your machine will look really nice in your gameroom or whatever.  Keep the back glass away from freezing temps however, or the ink will simple fall right off.

Buy another replay button if yours has lost its original red color.  that way you can tell people to just hit the red button.