EM and clueless - The Big Show

AAirhart

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Donor 2011-2012
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I ended up picking up a Bally "The Big Show".
Before moving , the lighting in the head worked...now not one light comes on behind the back glass.

The game coins up, plays slightly erratically and the score wheels seem to increment. The ball counter and player counters don't seem to work.

Visually, i only see one 5v fuse under the playfield which is blown. Would that kill that lighting?
 
Granted I have only been in this hobby for a short time, but what I discovered in dealing with my EM game is loose screws/nails that have fallen out of the playfield or someone dropped into the game at some time in the past. Especially since you moved it, this is what I would suspect - a screw or something moved and got into something it wasn't suppose to.

When I gutted my unit, I found many small screws and a small nail - all were causing some sort of a problem.

Now I am not familar with your unit, but I would figure that you should have a few more fuses than that - maybe some more inthe back box? I could be wrong, but I figure there should be a least a couple more.

Anyways, hope that helps you out at least somewhat, it doesn't seem like there is a whole lot of people left to answer EM questions (from the few posts I made asking for a direction to at least look at - mostly I just end up muddling my way through my unit and and learning as I go). :(
 
I have a Bally Circus which is the four player version of this game. Love the art work and family theme of this game. Currently mechanically restoring a Gottlieb Target Alpha. As you may know Pinball Machines can be a real challenge as they have many switches and moving parts. I recommend going to pinrepair.com and reading Clay's document on EM repair.

My experience with twelve EM games of all varieties and my recomendation is as follows:

1. Replace the cord unless this has been done already. Can easily blow any fuse.

2. Check fuses or fuse holders...Bally made their own connectors and holders and they were of very poor quality - so new holders are not so far fetched and a good purchase for any EM game. Make sure you use the correct fuses. Pinball Resource or Marcos. Radio Shack if you don't want to wait. Do not use automotive fuses they're not adequate for this purpose. Look at it this way if something is wrong they don't blow your game can catch on fire.

3. Your ball count and player step units and all the moving parts and pivot points need degreased. Printed circuit boards where the fingers ride need to be sanded with 400 grit sand paper, cleaned with 91% alcohol, and lubed lightly with PTFE (can fin this in pen form at Radio Shack and it lasts a very long time). If your step units don't move freely the game will never work. Do NOT use WD40, white lithium, or any contact cleaner you could catch the game on fire.

4. Clean your Jones connectors with a piece of sand paper. Good connections are key.

5. Make NO switch adjustments unless something is really out of place as you can create more problems. I typically do this last if needed.

6. Patience - Everything in an EM game must work in harmony to work right. I dread my future move from my house less than a mile away, to my new condo as it may cause me to mechanically restore all of my games again.

There's an EM section of this message board thats geared more for this type of game. You can PM me with questions if you'd like. Good luck in your restoration of this game...OHEMIO
 
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The game is semi up now. The blown fuse was the wrong rating anyway (8a instead of 15a). The backbox is now lit. I also cleaned up the fuse holders and backbox connectors and the player problem is resolved...maybe (if I TILT it changes? cant get past ball #1 player #1 to test).

Currently, the ball count does not change. Where would I find the switch for this?

Also...how many balls should this game be loaded with?
It came with 2, but with 2 the game just kicks out 2.
 
ok, found the issues...but how to fix?

1. when the ball drains and hits the switch, the switch doesn't always close. it now occasionally advances the ball counter after messing with it.

2. the game immediately tilts when the coin door is closed and continues to stay in tilt until the door is opened.

3. the lamp socket isn't tight where the wiring and rivet are on the back, when the coin door is bumped they short and kill the fuse.

also, as the lights in the center of the playfield "advance", should the lights stay on as it advances or just one at a time?
 
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