Eater Bad?

FrizzleFried

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When I power up my Secret Service I get the error "Eater Bad"...

But it shows all switches working... and the eater seems to work 1/2 the time. By that I mean it works when the "hideout open" mode is enabled (if I shoot the ball in it drops and recognizes that a ball is there and kicks on multiball mode) but it also seems to stay UP when it shouldn't... during those times (before HIDEOUT OPEN mode) I imagine the hideout should be closed, but it's not... its up... and if I hit a ball in to it, it will drop as usual, but will sit there for 5 or 6 seconds then the system tries to "look" for the ball and starts kicking up things to "find" it and eventually kicks up the hideout letting the ball out.

My hypothesis: Something isn't working right. (HA!) I GUESS there is a solenoid that should pull the eater(hideout) closed that isn't working...

Thoughts?
 
The solenoid should do something but won't because it's most likely waiting for a switch input. Final answer - sticky/bad switch.

go into test mode and run your switch edge tests.
 
The solenoid should do something but won't because it's most likely waiting for a switch input. Final answer - sticky/bad switch.

go into test mode and run your switch edge tests.

That was my first thought as well... but the switch test shows no issues...
 
How's your board side connectors looking on that machine? Might want to try reseating cables and connectors on the boards.
 
It appears it is, in fact, the small solenoid in the eater that is bad. I watched the test from under the table and saw that it DOES actually push the rod as it's intended, but not nearly hard enough to cause the eater to drop down.... new one ordered.
 
Solenoid appearing weak - Ohm out the coils resistance. But I would bet that you have either a dirty/bad coil sleeve and/or the pawl/plunger is dirty/hosed.
Pull it apart enough Frizz - bet you'll find you simply need to clean it. It's dirty and hanging up.

On a side note - I've gotten to the point where any coil sleeve I replace I also add graphite dust to it. How long will it last? Dunno. How much extra wear and tear does it save on the coil sleeve? Dunno. But i do find these components slide easier with more so than without.
 
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The plunger moves freely (though it is dirty)... I already ordered the part (along with a few other things) and it was $7.00.... so I'll hold off and just replace it. since I have to take it apart anyway.
 
The plunger moves freely (though it is dirty)... I already ordered the part (along with a few other things) and it was $7.00.... so I'll hold off and just replace it. since I have to take it apart anyway.

Dirty ='s drag my friend. The only thing that varies is the degree of slowness/dragging.

Stop being a lazy bastard and pull the damn coil sleeve out and clean it.
A coil generally doesn't go bad and generally doesn't get weak. While most certainly possible not likely is what I'm trying to say. And the chances of you getting a new coil in that has the correct coil sleeve .... heh good luck on that.
Hope you actually ordered the correct sleeve ;)

BTW OT What's your high score on whirlwind?
 
Dirty ='s drag my friend. The only thing that varies is the degree of slowness/dragging.

Stop being a lazy bastard and pull the damn coil sleeve out and clean it.
A coil generally doesn't go bad and generally doesn't get weak. While most certainly possible not likely is what I'm trying to say. And the chances of you getting a new coil in that has the correct coil sleeve .... heh good luck on that.
Hope you actually ordered the correct sleeve ;)

BTW OT What's your high score on whirlwind?

Have to agree with you one this, i just had one say bad on a SS that i just sold about a month ago...

Coils generally dont go bad, clean the sleeve. Thats what it was on mine
 
Dirty ='s drag my friend. The only thing that varies is the degree of slowness/dragging.

Stop being a lazy bastard and pull the damn coil sleeve out and clean it.
A coil generally doesn't go bad and generally doesn't get weak. While most certainly possible not likely is what I'm trying to say. And the chances of you getting a new coil in that has the correct coil sleeve .... heh good luck on that.
Hope you actually ordered the correct sleeve ;)

BTW OT What's your high score on whirlwind?

9.8 million or so is my high score thus far...

....and the error "BAD EATER" actually flashes BEFORE the coil attempts to power up... I don't know if that makes any difference.

I know how a coil SHOULD perform...this thing just barely moves... I can't imagine the slight drag is causing the issue... almost as if it's not getting enough voltage... and it makes a funny "electric" noise where the others don't. I'm betting bad coil. We'll see though.... I'll (of course) be cleaning the sleeve now... bastards.

;)
 
9.8 million or so is my high score thus far...

16 million and some change :eek:

Whirlwind is truly one those games that just irritates the crap out of a person.
I also have my spinners set on fast instead of the games slower default setting. Really makes it interesting lol
 
Yeah... I have my spinners on fast as well...

I just cleaned the post and sleeve of that coil... while it did HELP a little (it actually improved to where it kicks the post out enough to TOUCH and slightly move the eater... it isn't strong enough to move the eater enough to spring it back down.

Bummer... because I didn't order a sleeve (thought the coil would come with one)... and looking at how this thing is attached to the metal bracket it appears it's going to be fun getting the damn coil out without destroying the sleeve...
 
Got the new coil in the mail today. I installed it (luckily it has a built-in sleeve BTW)...

It works! Perfectly... No "Bad Eater" message... no "electric" sound... just performance.

:)

See... sometimes coils DO go bad.
 
Well mr "told ya so" I said "Solenoid appearing weak - Ohm out the coils resistance" and I said "A coil generally doesn't go bad"
If you would've checked the readings on it we would;ve known - jack ass lol
Glad you got her fixed Frizz!
 
Hehe...

Well, I took the opportunity to finish her up... I replaced the shooter as the one I had was bent and only would freely max out when it was twisted a certain way... adjusted a couple of switches and we're now golden.
 
IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!

I was around when Data East released a SERVICE BULLETIN on the bad eater...

Here's how to fix forever....remove the SMALL COIL that pushes it back down...unwind 50 windings from coil and put back together....remember, you will have to scrape (with a razor blade) the covering on the solenoid coil before resoldering....problem solved!!! todd
 
The new coil I got from Bay Area Amusements looks a little different... do you think I'd need to do that with this one... or would what you suggest have fixed my last one?
 
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