Data east 1 ball missing code

VIPER13

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I have a 92' Data East pin that I am having a problem with. When I turn the game on the display says 1 BALL MISSING, even though all three balls are clearly in the game. I have to continuely turn the game on and off or continue to hit the start button until the game finally starts. The game will play fine for a while than it will not read that all three balls have not returned to the shoot and I will have to reboot the game. Does anyone have an idea what may be wrong.
 
The trough switch is not identifying that all three balls are there. Try turning on the switch test and seeing which trough switch is not closed. I don't remember if these are micro's or optos's but your manual will be able to tell you.
 
Had a similar issue with my Tales From the Crypt machine. It was a combo of several problems.

First, the sub micro ball trough switches were all screwed because the previous owner of my machine bent the tabs trying to get the switches to "switch" better. So I replaced all the ball trough switches and diodes.

Second, the molex connector for the switch returns on the CPU board (CN8 I think it was) was toast and there was also some crusty oxidation on the male header pins on the board. I replaced the molex connector and lightly cleaned the header with emory cloth. Now, I know thats really not recommended, but I'm not about to take the board off solder on a new male header.
 
Thanks for the quick responses. I tried to manually pull down the trough switches, but that didn't seem to help at all. If I end up replacing the ball trough switches and diodes where is the best place to purchase them from and how difficult is it to change a molex connector if I need to?
 
Before randomly replacing the ball trough switches, try to figure out which one is giving you the problem. Put the game into the switch test and I believe that a DE game will tell you the switches that are activated. If there is a missing ball trough switch, then that is your likely culprit. If all 3 switches are missing, then I would suspect a broken wire or diode. The ball trough switches are daisy chained together, so 1 broken wire or diode can take out more than one switch. Best place to go for replacement switches would be either Marco, Pinball Life, or Bay Area Amusements. As for the Molex connector. The right tools to fix it with the connector would run about $120. Great Plains Electronics is were to get the connector and the crimper. The crimper is $100 for the good one.
 
I put the pin into test mode and it looks like trough switches #11 & #13 are bad. One is the left and one is the right. Do I just need to replace the switch or could there be a wiring problem? Is there any way to test the switches before replacing them?
 
Before randomly replacing the ball trough switches, try to figure out which one is giving you the problem. Put the game into the switch test and I believe that a DE game will tell you the switches that are activated. If there is a missing ball trough switch, then that is your likely culprit. If all 3 switches are missing, then I would suspect a broken wire or diode. The ball trough switches are daisy chained together, so 1 broken wire or diode can take out more than one switch. Best place to go for replacement switches would be either Marco, Pinball Life, or Bay Area Amusements. As for the Molex connector. The right tools to fix it with the connector would run about $120. Great Plains Electronics is were to get the connector and the crimper. The crimper is $100 for the good one.

Order a new standard .156 molex connector, the trifurcon pins, and a key. PB Resource has a .156 crimper for like $20. It is the same crimper others charge $50+ for! I have it and it works perfectly.
 
Before randomly replacing the ball trough switches, try to figure out which one is giving you the problem. Put the game into the switch test and I believe that a DE game will tell you the switches that are activated. If there is a missing ball trough switch, then that is your likely culprit. If all 3 switches are missing, then I would suspect a broken wire or diode. The ball trough switches are daisy chained together, so 1 broken wire or diode can take out more than one switch. Best place to go for replacement switches would be either Marco, Pinball Life, or Bay Area Amusements. As for the Molex connector. The right tools to fix it with the connector would run about $120. Great Plains Electronics is were to get the connector and the crimper. The crimper is $100 for the good one.


Order from Pinball Life. They ship FAST. Bay Area Amusements seems to take the longest out of all those options. Marco is alright too in my experience...although I think its Marco that has a ridiculous base shipping price.

By the way, $100 for a crimper? You must be joking? To fix my switch return cost about $13. Roughly a dollar for the connector itself, and $12 for the insertion tool.

The average joe at home doesn't need to a $100 tool to swap out a few Molex connectors. Just a waste of money IMHO. Unless you fix pins for living...but a few repairs at home? A $100 tool is overkill.
 
Is there any way to test the switches before replacing them?

Yes, use a DMM set to continuity, put a lead on each of the wires and manually activate the switch. If you go back and forth from continuity to no continuity as you work the switch then the switch is working, but could still be out of adjustment.

As for the crimping, for clarity, I doubt you need to do any crimping/connector replacement. But if you do, check out http://marvin3m.com/connect/index.htm

A good online repair guide for DE games is at http://www.pinrepair.com/de/index.htm

For crimping, the choice of tools you use is up to you. In the end it is user preference.
 
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