My first stuck flipper :)

Cartouche

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So let's see if I'm on the right track...I've had the game 4 days.

1. Flipper is stuck with game on or off.
2. Can't move it manually.
3. Coil in question is warm to the touch, strong burnt rubber smell.
4. the flipper mechanisms are shiny and clean, looks like a recent rebuild.
5. can move the mechanism (pawl?) in and out of the coil under the playfield, but it's very stiff.


Replace the coil and sleeve?
 
Replace the coil and sleeve?

You may have another issue going on. If you have a blown transistor which would cause the flipper solenoid to instantly lock on when powered and if left long enough it'd melt the coil sleeve which would be why you can't "unstick" the flipper. I guess if it were me I'd inspect the coil wrapping for starters. If it's burned it needs to be replaced. Next thing you need to verify is that the transistor/s aren't blown. Start here:
http://www.pinrepair.com and locate your machine type and look at quick and dirty transistor testing area.
Personally if I found the flipper solenoid was burnt I'd just order a whole flipper assembly from http://pinballlife.com . Terry is moving his shop this week but should be back online by the end of the week.
 
Where exactly is the plunger binding up?

If the metal shaft of the plunger is binding up inside the coil sleeve, remove the plunger, coil sleeve, and coil stop. Check the plunger and coil stop for deformation - "mushrooming" that can cause binding of the metal plunger shaft inside the coil sleeve.

If the plunger and coil stop look smooth and even, do you have a different coil sleeve to try it with?

RM
 
Paper does look a little brown, it has come loose I assume form the heat. This is the left flipper on Williams' Space Shuttle. The plunger is stuck inside the coil and will only move with some firm pulling/pushing.
As you can see, the whole flipper assembly looks fairly new.

IMG_4408.jpg


So I need to:
1. inspect the coil sleeve and plunger, replace if necessary.
2. test the transistor that runs to this flipper (anyone know the location?)
 
2. test the transistor that runs to this flipper (anyone know the location?)

There is no transistor driving that coil. Flippers are typically not driven by transistors like other coils (with some exceptions). The positive side comes straight off the power supply and the ground side is switched through the flipper relay, cabinet switch and EOS switch (energizing the hold winding on the flipper coil).

If your flipper is stuck with the game on or off you either have a mechanical problem with the flipper assembly or a melted coil/sleeve. We know you don't have a melted coil so I would suspect a mechanical problem. Something like a mushroomed plunger or even a missing screw causing the mechanism to bind. You'll just have to look at it and figure out what's causing it to bind.
 
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There is no transistor driving that coil. Flippers are typically not driven by transistors like other coils (with some exceptions). The positive side comes straight off the power supply and the ground side is switched through the flipper relay, cabinet switch and EOS switch.

So that would strongly point to a mechanical issue - coil, sleeve, plunger, etc.?
 
So that would strongly point to a mechanical issue - coil, sleeve, plunger, etc.?

I made an edit after you replied. Basically, yes.

If your flipper is stuck with the game on or off you either have a mechanical problem with the flipper assembly or a melted coil/sleeve. We know you don't have a melted coil so I would suspect a mechanical problem. Something like a mushroomed plunger or even a missing screw causing the mechanism to bind. You'll just have to look at it and figure out what's causing it to bind.
 
BUT... you could still have a melted coil sleeve. You mention a burning smell. I would look into that.

You'll definitely want to determine if the flipper coil is being energized all the time. Could be that cabinet switch contacts welded together or something.

Personally I would probably pull the whole flipper assembly out of the game then disassemble and inspect it. If the binding is caused by a melted coil sleeve you'll need to figure out why it melted. Could be a stuck switch like I said. Or it could just be a mechanical problem with the flipper.

You can check the coil's resistance before you decide to replace it. Never just replace stuff without knowing exactly why you're doing it through effective troubleshooting.
 
I took apart the coil, definitely scorched - the paper is brown and I can't even get the sleeve out. So I think I need to replace those.
It appears the switch (EOS?) is staying engaged with the plunger in and out:
IMG_4414.jpg

IMG_4415.jpg
 
The picture shows a screw that holds the bracket for the End Of Stroke switch is missing, that allowed the switch to turn and be out of adjustment.

Install a new coil and sleeve then replace the missing screw, make sure the switch opens when the flipper is in the up position and made when in the stand by position or the flipper will not work..
 
eos

From your photo, it looks like your EOS mounting bracket is mounted with one screw. It shifted the home position for the EOS, not allowing the pawl to open it.
 
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