Joust P2 flap issue

Dokert

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Have no tools here in South Carolina with me. My Son's Joust is having issues with the P2 flap button. Button works intermittently in game mode. In test button works perfectly. P2 flap is the only button (switch) that is having a problem.

Am I looking at a widget problem?

Bad 4049? (IC7)
 
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Anytime I have control issues on a Williams....first thing I do.....put it in test mode, and wiggle the hell out of the widget ribbon cable. If I hear the sounds of switches opening/closing....time for a new ribbon cable.

Edward
 
Anytime I have control issues on a Williams....first thing I do.....put it in test mode, and wiggle the hell out of the widget ribbon cable. If I hear the sounds of switches opening/closing....time for a new ribbon cable.

Edward

Did that with no noticable effect. Also did that with 3P2 & 3P3 cables with no noticable effect.
 
Have you tried cleaning it? Alcohol (rubbing not drinking) on a paper towel to clean the contacts, then use a white business card or index card rubbed between the contacts when the button is pressed.

The other thing is to check the gap between the contacts and how close it is to the end of the button, so that minmum travel makes contacts.

There is nothing magic between test mode and game mode, so if it works in one it will work in the other. Sometimes in a game you don't press it as hard as you think.

In test mode, try tapping it the way you do in the game and see if all the flaps register.

ken
 
Have you tried cleaning it? Alcohol (rubbing not drinking) on a paper towel to clean the contacts, then use a white business card or index card rubbed between the contacts when the button is pressed.

The other thing is to check the gap between the contacts and how close it is to the end of the button, so that minmum travel makes contacts.

There is nothing magic between test mode and game mode, so if it works in one it will work in the other. Sometimes in a game you don't press it as hard as you think.

In test mode, try tapping it the way you do in the game and see if all the flaps register.

ken

Turned out to be pitted switch contacts.
 
Doesn't surprise me. All too often people use sandpaper on them, which does clean them, but it also rubs the layer of gold cladding on them off as well. Once that is gone they will start to arc and pit.

ken
 
Anytime I have control issues on a Williams....first thing I do.....put it in test mode, and wiggle the hell out of the widget ribbon cable. If I hear the sounds of switches opening/closing....time for a new ribbon cable.

Edward

Whats the easiest way of replacing that cable? My Robotron is having the same issue. Except if the cable isn't right the game wont even boot.
 
Whats the easiest way of replacing that cable? My Robotron is having the same issue. Except if the cable isn't right the game wont even boot.

Bob Roberts sells nice complete/assembled replacements...
http://www.therealbobroberts.net/parts.html#wms

You desolder the old one....solder on the new one.

Are you sure this is the problem? The interface board has nothing to do with boot up.

Edward
 
You may be wiggling the ROM cable at the same time. Although it is possible that there is a bad connection then that is causing addressing issues on the bus. I have had blown PIAs on the I/O card cause boot errors before.

ken
 
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