88 Error on MPU- Anyone ever fix one ? FIXED

[stormrider]

I would be interested in hearing from anyone that has fixed a S6000 MPU with the dreaded 88 error
yes ram clear has been done and battery checked in fact the battery is a fresh new install.

I know some of you just toss them aside or don't have the time to fix them
but I was hoping to hear from someone that has found a fix or a bad component
that might cause this,I have tried reseating all chips plus putting in new mains/game
and inspecting the board for bent pins,bad solder joint,broken jumper,cracks,etc

I only have 1 MPU (which is a extra) with this problem but would love to tinker with it
the whole board can't be shot....


Tim

[a69mopar]

Hi Tim,
   did you try swapping u31  or both U30 and U45 with known good ones?

W

[stayouttadabunker]

From the manual>>>
Bally 6000 error code #88 = "catastrophic failure-  MPU has failed due to unknown error...

IMHO It sounds pretty serious and I really don't know of anyone that has
MPU troubleshooting experience or know of anyone that has actually done board level repairs
on the Bally 6000 boards.
OZZY used to have some ideas for S+ boards and has uploaded
pictures with some details over the years here on NLG.
I haven't seen anyone upload any board level repairs for the Bally6000 MPU's though.
You're in fairly new stomping grounds Storm...

I would first start off by acquiring some board schematics and
a sheet of resistor values of the Bally MPU board,
identify each component and armed with a strobe, multimeter - starting checking
every component to see what has fallen out of specifications.
Over time, heat & age gets to board components and basically throws everything out of whack.

You can do comparative checking on the bad MPU and seeing if the
components match that specification-wise of the known good MPU.
See if you get the same readings on both boards of all the different components.
I warn you, I did this on several S+ MPU's in my efforts to learn more about what makes them tick
and it is painstakingly time consuming as several components need to
be un-soldered from the board in order to get honest readings.
My problem is I never took notes on working component values and now wish I had.

[a69mopar]

I have had varying degrees of success doing these board repairs, however I only spend so much time then it goes to the parts pile since it's cheaper/quicker to replace the unit.  At one time I would have spent the time it takes no matter what, but as time thins out and machines pile up, it's time to move on..  You can do as Bunker says and test each component for failure or try swapping components with ones from a good board until the error is gone.  If doing this, I suggest groups of components, then you can narrow it down from there.  Start with the U31 and both U30 and U45...   

w

[stormrider]

Hi Tim,
   did you try swapping u31  or both U30 and U45 with known good ones?

W

Hey Wayne,

No but these are the type of tips I was looking for
I will try that and post back the results.

I have had varying degrees of success doing these board repairs, however I only spend so much time then it goes to the parts pile since it's cheaper/quicker to replace the unit.  At one time I would have spent the time it takes no matter what, but as time thins out and machines pile up, it's time to move on..  You can do as Bunker says and test each component for failure or try swapping components with ones from a good board until the error is gone.  If doing this, I suggest groups of components, then you can narrow it down from there.  Start with the U31 and both U30 and U45...   

w

No machines pile up here so I have plenty of time to tinker

[stormrider]

From the manual>>>
Bally 6000 error code #88 = "catastrophic failure-  MPU has failed due to unknown error...

IMHO It sounds pretty serious and I really don't know of anyone that has
MPU troubleshooting experience or know of anyone that has actually done board level repairs
on the Bally 6000 boards.
OZZY used to have some ideas for S+ boards and has uploaded
pictures with some details over the years here on NLG.
I haven't seen anyone upload any board level repairs for the Bally6000 MPU's though.
You're in fairly new stomping grounds Storm...

I would first start off by acquiring some board schematics and
a sheet of resistor values of the Bally MPU board,
identify each component and armed with a strobe, multimeter - starting checking
every component to see what has fallen out of specifications.
Over time, heat & age gets to board components and basically throws everything out of whack.

You can do comparative checking on the bad MPU and seeing if the
components match that specification-wise of the known good MPU.
See if you get the same readings on both boards of all the different components.
I warn you, I did this on several S+ MPU's in my efforts to learn more about what makes them tick
and it is painstakingly time consuming as several components need to
be un-soldered from the board in order to get honest readings.
My problem is I never took notes on working component values and now wish I had.

Bunker,

Thanks for the advice I'm going to start with the U30,31,and 45 as Wayne suggested
will see what happens who knows, not that every 88 error is the same breakdown
but I would like to fix the board I have with it, and if it helps another member down the road that's great
as I have seen many posts for help on the 88.

Tim

 

[stayouttadabunker]

I must admit I had ulterior, or rather, sneaky motives for making that post...LOL
I am expecting to own a complete Bally 6000 in the nearby future...

[stormrider]

I must admit I had ulterior, or rather, sneaky motives for making that post...LOL
I am expecting to own a complete Bally 6000 in the nearby future...

For what the S6000 goes for these days it's a great buy really
I get more error's on my S2000's  then my S6000'S

Let me say this about my 88 error
I could ram clear the 88 but it would return in a few hours
or sometimes the next day or 2. I did install a different MPU in the machine
and it ran fine ever since so I ruled out the cabinet itself having an issue.
I have seen posts where some people can't even clear it at all
which leads me to believe 88 shows up in many different forms
of a MPU failure,after this sunny weekend along with the Honey do list
I will start swapping out parts and testing it.

Tim

[stormrider]

Just a little update on this
I swapped the U30,31,45 from a good working MPU
into the MPU that 88 error's did a ram clear of course
set the machine options up so far so good, although it's only been an hour running
will keep the machine on over the weekend see if it stays running.

I also powered the machine on/off a few times after a few spins
as this seemed to trigger the 88 error in the past.

Tim

[stayouttadabunker]

If this works then I'd recommend you make copies of the known good chips.
You can probably narrow it down to one bad chip
somewhere out of those three you've changed.

[a69mopar]

it's great to hear you got it going.  thanks for letting us know.

bunker,  those arent chips yo would copy...

W

[stayouttadabunker]

oh

[stormrider]

Good news machine is still running after the first 24 hours  
Will leave it on for another day, then start powering it up each day
for game play to see if it holds up.



5/24/2010 Update

Now working 2 full days being left on with no error
This week I will turn the machine on and off and play a few spins each day
I feel pretty good that I might have this 88 error licked on this MPU.

5/26/2010 Update

Still running good with NO error's

5/28/2010

Full week of testing with no signs of trouble......

[stormrider]

First off I would like to thank Wayne (a69mopar)K+ for his suggestion on changing U30,45,31
After changing these out with good known ones from another MPU I was able to get the board running again with no 88 error.
I then decided to just swap the U30 and 45 (without U31)which are the static ram chips next to U18 and 20 which are the games SMI
I think somehow the original U30,45 must somehow got corrupt and caused my never ending 88 error,I purchase these
static ram chips on ebay for $15 for a lot of 20 not that I will ever need that many these chips were posted as
1 MEGABIT (128KX8) CMOS STATIC RAM so I installed them and ram cleared the MPU and they work like a charm
machine has been up and running fine since my last update in late May.

Please note in NO way am I saying this will fix every 88 error but in my case it did
I'm sure the 88 error is caused by many different MPU problems this is just note for anyone
that likes to tinker and try to fix a bad board with this error.

Here is the link for the chips I bought
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-MEGABIT-128KX8-CMOS-STATIC-RAMs-20pc-Lot-/400131662319?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d29b4a1ef


Tim

[Neonkiss]

Glad to see you posted back with what resolved your issue.

K+ to all that helped.

[StatFreak]

Glad to see you posted back with what resolved your issue.

K+ to all that helped.

SF