MM PacMan flipper problem

gars943

Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
114
Reaction score
2
Location
Parma, Ohio
Can someone check their MM PacMan for a wiring check of the upper right flipper (see pics)? I replaced this coil about 3 weeks ago, and tonight while playing it the coil got so hot that you could smell the electical wiring of the coil starting to fry, and it was very very hot to the touch. In the pics there is a black mark on a red wire, this was me marking that wire for resoldering purposes. The last coil started making a horrendous humming sound, hence the reason for changing it out. Could there be an underlying secondary problem? Also, when the right flipper button is pressed the lights dim slightly, but I just attributed that to having two flippers on the right side, and the age of the game. It has done that for as long as I can remember. I have had the game over ten years.
Thanks,
Gary
EDIT: And will it be necessary to replace the coil again, due to the heat? The shaft connected to the flipper was hot enough to burn when touched. This coil was replaced by number identification from the original.
 

Attachments

  • DSC00003.JPG
    DSC00003.JPG
    49.2 KB · Views: 15
  • DSC00006.JPG
    DSC00006.JPG
    56.9 KB · Views: 16
  • DSC00013.JPG
    DSC00013.JPG
    34.3 KB · Views: 14
Last edited:
Your end of stroke (EOS) switch isn't opening up. You've lost the round plastic actuator that the flipper crank hits to open the switch as the flipper reaches max extension. With the playfield up, move the bad flipper by hand - I bet the switch never opens. Use the other (good) flipper for reference.

Flipper coils have 2 windings: "kick" and "hold in". The kick winding uses the full solenoid voltage and the hold in winding uses a lower voltage. As the flipper moves, it opens the EOS switch, and the kick winding circuit is open and the hold in circuit is activated.

If the coil stays in the kick winding because the EOS isn't opening, it will become very hot and you will hear a loud hum. Due to the overheating, it will also make the flipper weak.

At a minimum you need a new EOS (or find the actuator and put it back in), and you might need a new coil if you already melted the current one.
 
In the pic, the green block is where the actuator is missing. It should be attached to the top blade of the switch. When the flipper moves, the crank should hit the top blade and the actuator should move the bottom blade to open the EOS.
 

Attachments

  • DSC00003.JPG
    DSC00003.JPG
    49.3 KB · Views: 16
Thanks again...

Yep, I fried the coil, it's humming like the last one. Ordered both parts,
Thanks,
Gary
 
How do you guys like your mm pacman machines?
I'm thinking about selling mine, I feel that the pac maze slows play down & takes away from the ball action.
Mine was a virtual basketcase when I picked it up, got it working 100% & moved it to a friend's house to make more room here @ home. I have replaced EVERY board connection with Molex, but have experienced some intermittant issues since the move.... sigh. I KNOW that it has to be another connector problem---- so, it looks like I will be digging into the intermediate plugs between the head & the body. Oh well, I'm getting pretty good at these now.
 
ArchRival,
I ordered mine from Marcos Specialties, however Pinballlife has them cheaper, I believe.

dasvis,
I play mine quite regularly. I like the Pac-Maze makes it feel like two games in one to me. Like I said, owned it for about ten years, even the kids play it, I don't think I'd part with mine... just my opinion.
Gary
 
Back
Top Bottom