Picked up an EARTHSHAKER yesterday

rookie123

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Friday I saw a CL ad for an Earthshaker within about 20 miles from my house, no photos on ad, said need all art, needs scoring LED, and state spliter isn't working asking $400 obo. On a whim decided to drive out an have a look, at least see what it looks like, turns out side art worse than I had imagined, but playfield was really pretty clean (just one worn area- see photos, yellow arrow on left lane and some bubbling under laminate). No display at all, on powering up just some GI, didn't even recognize credits. No action, no sound, nothing except GI. Considering how burried it was in this guys garage I was pretty much over it, then as I am walking out he says how about $300 to me. I was ready to walk at 4, even $350, but knew I'd be kicking myself tomorrow if I didn't get it. So after a long time trying to get it out, finally got it home.

Got it home, didn't even plug it in, started going through it, looking for obvious fried things on the boards, checking connections, fuses, etc. Everything actually looked suprisingly good, plugged it in to check out how many bulbs need replacing... fired right up, full display, credits, all flippers working, shaking motor is great, audio cranking. Played it for hours, love it.

Got it pretty well cleaned up, except side art and legs, just two issues left... states (CA and NV) are not splitting, the motor works and tries to go, but seems to get "stuck." there is a little black plastic piece that seems to get stuck in the closed stage, see photo I can reset it under the playfield but after about 3 games it will lock back up, any ideas?

Also the score display is missing a few lights, ie instead of reading 3 BALLS PER GAME, I see 3 BALLS PEP GAME. Pretty minor, only effects like 3 small parts of display, wondering though if I can fix that or need to replace entire display, thanks everyone for all your help.
 

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Very nice score and for $300 and I bet the guy helped you load it up for you too huh? I'am looking for this exact pin and whirlwind, I would have been all over it like you for $300 CL here in AZ. had a earthshaker for $1200 and it was 90 miles from my house but it was suppose to be "fully shopped and 100% working" like they say. I'am sure your issues are minor ones and inexpensive to get it 100%, but hey your already playing it and having fun already, too cool.
 
Get out the manual or download it off the web to see what mechanism should look like just to make sure its put together properly. Looks to be just like a standard coil and actuator gate. and not motor driven. Haven't played it in years but believe the split was just straight forward coil in/out movement. Try cleaning the linkage of any grime and remove the coil sleeve from the coil core. Make sure it is not damaged and it is clean and the metal pole moves in and out of it smoothly(not trying to be perverted). Try to determine whether the spring has lost tension. Replace any parts if in doubt. After getting it put back together go to self test and test that coil to make sure it is working reliably. You don't want to play the game and not notice your coil has stuck on and is frying everything in its path. If still havingtrouble look up in manual and identify the transistors that drive that coil. Test them to make sure they are not faulty. Check the manual to see what the part #'s are on the score LEDS. If identical try switching them to see if the broken one is now fixed, or if not, it is hopefully less noticeable in other's spot. And darn, I am so jealous. What part of CA was game located? I'm in socal, should have checked craigs list. Nice find. Next you are going to tell me the building raises and lowers. (rare prototype).
 
Great ideas vicjw66,
I do have a manual, just haven't bothered to get too deep into it yet. Game was in san marcos, and don't worry its # 500 something, not one of the samples, with drop down building, thanks again for your suggestions.
 
Great buy! The ramps sell for more than what you paid :) I have an Earthshaker and love it. Yours almost looks like it has the prototype art in the pics or its possibly faded? Whats the serial number on yours? Im just curious if anyone has a build number on the drop down building variety.
Jason
 
Friday I saw a CL ad for an Earthshaker within about 20 miles from my house, no photos on ad, said need all art, needs scoring LED, and state spliter isn't working asking $400 obo. On a whim decided to drive out an have a look, at least see what it looks like, turns out side art worse than I had imagined, but playfield was really pretty clean (just one worn area- see photos, yellow arrow on left lane and some bubbling under laminate). No display at all, on powering up just some GI, didn't even recognize credits. No action, no sound, nothing except GI. Considering how burried it was in this guys garage I was pretty much over it, then as I am walking out he says how about $300 to me. I was ready to walk at 4, even $350, but knew I'd be kicking myself tomorrow if I didn't get it. So after a long time trying to get it out, finally got it home.

Got it home, didn't even plug it in, started going through it, looking for obvious fried things on the boards, checking connections, fuses, etc. Everything actually looked suprisingly good, plugged it in to check out how many bulbs need replacing... fired right up, full display, credits, all flippers working, shaking motor is great, audio cranking. Played it for hours, love it.

Got it pretty well cleaned up, except side art and legs, just two issues left... states (CA and NV) are not splitting, the motor works and tries to go, but seems to get "stuck." there is a little black plastic piece that seems to get stuck in the closed stage, see photo I can reset it under the playfield but after about 3 games it will lock back up, any ideas?

Also the score display is missing a few lights, ie instead of reading 3 BALLS PER GAME, I see 3 BALLS PEP GAME. Pretty minor, only effects like 3 small parts of display, wondering though if I can fix that or need to replace entire display, thanks everyone for all your help.

That is an awesome machine for the money! NICE SCORE :)
 
Great game - great score!! One of my favorites in my collection.

Bill
 
Got some things working and found some new issues. I included a shot of the backglass it is really clean, only flake is tiny, unfortunately it is right above the girl's lips. All of a sudden everytime I turn the machine on now the display shows "ajusment failure." Other problem is the operator's buttons in the coin door appear to have been disconnected. This is my first Williams, wondering if there is a diagram anywhere that I can see where the wires need to be soldered. What's happening is that the coin mechs work and recognize credits; but don't register if I am in the operators adjustments menu. Anyone know what's up? Please let me know, thanks.
 

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Sweet thanks guys. Replaced batteries but in closer inspection noticed a little acid build up on the middle battery's terminal. Wondering if it wouldn't be better to have a remote battery housing and solder the leads to the board the way my gottlieb is, any recommendations?
 
Yes, remove that battery holder and install a remote one. If you leave the acid damaged holder in there it will spread, and that would be bad.
 
Here's a pic of the battery mod in my Dr. Dude.
DSC_0008.jpg

Not sure if it's exactly the same layout as Earthshaker, but they're both System 11 games.
It's recommended you change them about every 2 years from what I hear.
You may want to clean the battery terminals and make sure there is no major corrosion to the traces. Also take a look and see if anything dripped down on the components below. I think vinegar and or baking soda is recommended to neutralize the alkaline battery stuff, I'd do a search on that first though.
 
I removed the battery holder completely in my High Speed as it was pretty rotten itself (Duracell batteries best before 1994 !!!!) but the board was fine.....except for the switch matrix connector way below. Most odd.
I replaced them with a CR2032 and holder culled from a computer motherboard.
 
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