Newbie Pinball Owner (Indiana Jones WMS) Questions!

Straymute

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Newbie Pinball Owner (Indiana Jones WMS) Questions!

Ok folks,

I just picked up an IJ WMS that I got from a private owner. The story on it is it has been "home use" for about 10 years but after getting it home I can see that this guy pretty much bought it, parked it, played it, and then it sat for about 10 years with NO upkeep at all.

It had some typical light/decal issues, cabinet fade, ground in dirt in the mylar, some completely trashed rubber, some failing ramp switches and the idol multiball lock was broken. All of this can be solved pretty quickly/cheaply, but now I have another problem that is beyond my skillset in diagnosing. This is where I need HELP!

The problem is when I run the test programs, the light tests work, PoA motor/Idol Motor tests work, but the flasher test and the solenoid test don't seem to do ANYTHING AT ALL. They just cycle there in "Running" or sit in "Repeat" and nothing actually happens. The "Test" Report doesn't report anything here so I'm wondering what is going on? Is this expected, or is there something disconnected? What do you guys think!

Also, are there any other IJ Williams owners out there that can share some of the other common issues on the IJ that I should expect or look for?

Thanks!
 
You need to ensure that the coin door interlock switch is engaged/closed when you run solenoid tests. Report back your findings.
 
Aaaah. Yeah, I'll check that tonight. I should spend some time reading the manual, I'm sure it's explicitly called out there....
 
I'll try to post some pics later, need to document what I'm repairing of course... Probably will have some questions too, like "How do I make the "Friends" Inserts Brighter, and "What's up with LEDs, anyway?" :)
 
To make inserts brighter - under each insert, is probably dirt buildup. Take the bulb out (with the game off) or bend it down. Q tip in Windex should be good - clean under there. You will get lots of dirt out.

Check the insert bulbs - they are either 44's or 47's (its stamped on the bulb). 44 are brighter but run hotter. I like 44 better. What i like better are LED - get a kit from Cointaker - then you can do it all at once (clean and replace the bulbs).


Also, check the head (back box) connectors J122 ( i think thats the area) - see if you have burnt connectors. Instructions (and full details on pin repair) can be found at shaggys site, search for pin repair on google.


Good game that IJ.
 
Hey again folks! Alright, so my computer crashed so I've been away (playing lots of IJ though), and here's my mini update (no pics yet).

Coin door interlock WAS the "problem", the little yellow clip was even in the coin box, so it was an easy test after that.

The pinball got a TON of play at a Halloween party I had, and it held up GREAT. But, getting as much play as it did (probably 20-30 plays in one night), some new issues kind of cropped up.

The leftmost tiki in the ENT drop targets drops SLOOOOW. I assume there is some gunk up in there, I just need to spend some time under the hood.

My solenoid for the plunger/launcher gets TIRED as the night goes on. I mean, for the first 10 or so games its nice and strong, but then later it just stops being able to make it up into the INDY zone.. Is that more likely a *power* issue or do I just need to go ahead and replace that solenoid?

I got in a big order (new lights, posts, rubber kit, new flippers, PoA decal, etc), and I plan on doing all this at once. My plan is to basically strip the playfield down to posts, clean and wax, then rebuild it back with all the new stuff... That said:
1) Since I've got it pretty well taken apart, is there anything ELSE I should DEFINITELY be doing? I don't plan on this type of cleaning effort again anytime soon.
2) I know taking pictures for help in rebuilding is a good idea, but do you guys have any tips on how to organize all the little nuts/bolts, there must be 20 different kinds on this thing.
3) Should I really do this all at once? Or just do 1 part at a time?

Oh, Jonathan1138, you are 100% correct, there is a TON of dirt/soot under each insert. I'll try to clean all that up on the mini-shop job I describe above. I haven't checked the backbox yet, will do that tonight.

Oh yeah, and man, this game is hella fun, finally broke 400m last night, that "Mode" hole is a BEEEEYOTCH to hit and stick. I'm going to probably try a mod on that to get the ball to land IN the hole a little softer.

Thanks folks!
 
Congrats on your IJ. I love mine. Here are a couple of answers to your questions.

I stripped my playfield down in 3 parts; bottom half, upper left and upper right to make it easier. I also remove everything from the top of the playfield but the pop bumpers. They are a PITA to take apart and are easy enough to clean and work around.

Try to group the parts together in the same general location as they are in the playfield. So all the parts to the left slingshot stay together for example. I have an old fold up table I place next to the pin and place the items on there and re-create the playfield so to speak. So the apron and ball trough would be at the bottom of the table, slings, outlanes and flippers above that, ramps and targets above that, etc... keeping left playfield stuff on the left side of the table and right stuff on the right. Again, take LOTS of pics of everything at many different angles, topside and underside of playfield. Also, put nuts back on the bolts/posts or screws back in their holes to keep them from getting misplaced.

You can remove and replace the mylar if you want. That is a whole different animal. Do a search here for those threads.

When cleaning, use Novus 2 on the playfield to bring it out to a good shine, then Novus 1 to clean it good, then a good pure carnuba paste wax (not cleaner) to protect it. The Treasurecove polishing kit works amazing too. Especially if your playfield is dull it will bring it back to looking almost new.

Buy Cliffy protectors and put them on before you put it back together. Be sure to clean the area real good with rubbing alcohol to remove the wax before you try and stick the protector to the playfield.

The mode hole needs two things to make it stick better. www.Pinbits.com "dead drop" foam on the stop and a real good adjustment of the stop. Will have to keep the upper playfield off while you get that stop adjusted left and right. You want the ball to bounce straight into the hole. If it is off a bit the ball will bounce back at an angle and then out.

The plunger coil is probably going bad but take it apart and clean it. After playing for a while see if it is getting hot to the touch compared to the other coils. If it is then it needs to be replaced. If the Ohm reading accross the lugs is below 3 Ohms it is going.

The drop targets probably just needs to be cleaned but it cold be hanging up on the playfield.
 
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Altan, thanks, good to know you are on these boards! Don't worry, I've been studying your site daily already :). Your "before" pictures are pretty much my "before" pictures, lots of dirt everywhere and a couple broken bits here and there.

SealClubber, your suggestions are awesome, I'll pick up those cliffy protectors and an extra solenoid. Also, I tried some extra beer foam in the mode "cave" to help out but it's a little too thick... About the process though, right now my pin is in a spot that my 2 year old can easily access, so I'm going to have to either do it all at night after he's in bed or I'm going to have to move this whole thing outside. Both options suck, but I can't risk him eating any screws, they are just TOO VALUABLE :)....

Also, yeah, I'm not touching the mylar. I've watched videos, and I am definitely going to practice that on someone ELSE's pinball first....

One last thing, IJ pinballers, is it just me or is that PoA ramp a complete PITA to hit? I can't for the life of me hit it square, and I don't think it's my angle OR my flipper power.
 
Plenty of IJ pictures here if you need them:

http://gallery.metahugh.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8549

Just clean up the mylar and it will be fine as long as its not bubbling up, then you should remove it. You won't have any issues as long as you go slow and don't pull on the mylar as you remove it with freeze spray (Canned air upside down).

It just sounds like you need to shop the game. Remove everything minus the pop bumpers from the top of the playfield and clean it. Replace all of the coil sleeves even if they look OK. You won't have to tear it back down for years and years.
 
Alright, quick update.. Cliffy protectors and some new plastic bits in the mail, I've started going through and replacing lamps in preparation for my topside clean/re-rubber/re-post everything session in a few days. I ran into an issue....

When I try to hit "Path of Adventure", I spell out "Adventure" and then that is *supposed* to open the path right? Well, my diverter isn't diverting, and I just ramp up and back down the inlane. So, I did the solenoid test and the diverter SWITCH is clicking/moving to shut the ramp lane, but the diverter HOLD solenoid doesn't appear to be firing (no sound). Does this mean I have a bad solenoid, or does this mean I just don't know how my game is supposed to play?

Also, Mother's Pure Carnauba Wax for the PF... Good choice or "Man that's dumb"?

Thanks!
 
Mother's Pure Carnuba Paste Wax is what I use. I also use Auto detailing terry cloth towels to buff it off.

After you spell Adventure the diverter should open and allow the ball to go to the POA. It should stay open until you get the ball up there.
That ramp is a tight shot. If you don't hit it just right the ball will bounce around inside the ramp and not have the energy to go all the way up. Even with brand new flipper mechanisms and coils, the ball barely makes it up that ramp.
 
I am also a relatively new IJ owner. Physically mine is great shape and I LOVE it! but it has some issues with the POA. It shudders or shakes when I go tot he left.


Works fine in diagnostics. Tried switching the flipper optos... No change. However, how I differ from others with this issue is that my problem is intermittent. Seems to work better when first turned on, then it starts that shaking thing it does when I try to go to the left. Goes to the right with no problem. But looks like its going to far to the right. actually hits the ramp below.

Other issue: Very annoying cause I can't figure it out. When the Idol releases balls, half the time they roll great right down to the flipper and the other half they hit the back side of the right bumper and bounce out into the right outlane.

Any thoughts
Thanks in Advance
 
WOO Another Status Update:

Since I last checked in, I have completed the following:

1) Removed everything from the PF (including PoA, Ramps, Etc)
2) Replaced about 50 555s
3) Rebuilt my 3-bank Solenoid
4) Installed Cliffy Bank Protectors, Pinbits Dead Drop Mode Hole mods
5) Cleaned all the plastics, installed Pinbits Plastic Protectors.
6) Cleaned/Waxed the playfield (Novus#2, Mothers' Pure Carnauba)
7) Replaced all Yellow Star Posts (Cheap)
8) Replaced Rubber Rings
9) Started Reassembly, all that's left is ramps+PoA+a few plastics

Boring, normal stuff, right? Ok, now here's for the interesting bits:

1) My left flipper is a red coil, no wonder I couldn't get up the PoA ramp, as such, I'm going to go ahead and do a flipper rebuild and order the correct coil
2) My PoA ramp diverter is intermittently NOT working, I fixed it by running a ball down the ramp to hit the PoA switch right in front of the post which releases the ball onto the PoA. If it starts doing it again, I'm going to replace that solenoid.
3) I found a drop target head lodged behind the ball lock hole (presumably destroyed and lost in the PF approx 15 years ago)
4) I nearly sh*t myself removing the PoA. It's actually pretty easy to remove, but I had to use a little elbow grease to remove the post from the motor and I rammed the entire PoA into the Mode Start Saucer.
5) As much as I was HOPING that my playfield was immaculate condition, I found a couple of nasty wear spots underneath the ramps and down the left inlane.
6) Getting nasty decals off of the drop targets is a PITA, what do people suggest to remove that?
7) It takes a LONG F*ING time to shop an IJ
8) Plastics get destroyed, man, I have a lot of Plastics damage, one day I'll need to replace them (probably the same time that I decal the cab).
9) It's a fact, you will wind up with more washers than you started with. Kind of like loosing socks, you are guaranteed to have extra washers after rebuilding it.


Hey AG, congratulations on your IJ! As for your PoA, I have heard that it could be an optical issue with your flippers, get a qtip in there and clean em up and see if that has any effect, if not, you might be having a more serious optical issue. If it's working fine in Diag mode I'm guessing it might not be the motor, but who knows....

As for your Idol Eject, I'm not exactly sure which bumper you are talking about. Does your IJ have the little metal gate in between the in/outlanes? If so, is your ball hitting that bumper that is just north of the gate?

Metahugh, your pictures are awesome, they've saved me a couple times from incorrectly reassembling my IJ (even though I took hundreds of pictures too)...


I should be done with the IJ this weekend, will post my pics after that.
 
Thanks for your reply. It's actually going through the little gate and bouncing off of the large rubber ring in back part of the right kicker. Does your ball roll straight to the right flipper every time?
 
Ag, it rolls straight and FAST, I've never had it NOT roll straight to the flipper, but we'll see once I finish putting it back together :)... I'm guessing whatever is diverting your ball through the gate is misadjusted (I can't remember what diverts it right now, is it a metal ramp?)

-Wes
 
Yeah thats whats so strange. There's nothing to it. It just comes out of the idol and rolls.
 
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