Williams Time Warp Pinball (purchasing have questions?)

machfelon

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Williams Time Warp Pinball (purchasing have questions?)

Found a pin possibly I can pick up for $300.

Looks to be in good shape accept that the machine apparently shuts down after 10 secs. Maybe a power supply issue?

Is this a good price for a one and what could possible problems be with a pinball that shuts down quickly after booting? Or possible costs associated with fixing. I know there were a lot of TW's made so parts shouldnt be an issue.
 
Could be anything:

Cold solder joints on any or all of the boards.

Power supply board.

CPU board.

Interconnector between CPU and driver board.

Driver board.

Battery acid damage to CPU board.
 
Could be anything:

Cold solder joints on any or all of the boards.

Power supply board.

CPU board.

Interconnector between CPU and driver board.

Driver board.

Battery acid damage to CPU board.

This would be my first pin. Would this be a good choice, and is that a decent price for one considering the issue. Its supposed to have all new parts and clean playfield just some flaking on BG. And some leds installed too.

Of the issues listed above when I pick up what should I be looking for to narrow down the cause? Any telltale signs or issues I should walk away from deal over.
 
Man, that's a tough call for a first machine and that particular problem. Price wise...well, OK I guess. How would you feel if you ended up with $750 in this machine when you are finished? That is a possibility, so you need to keep it in mind.

The flip side - you give up in a few months and sell it for $200. Can you live with that? If so, go for it.

You really aren't going to be able to tell much without spending a lot of time on the machine. Look for acid damage on the boards (and start calculating repair costs). At this price range, I think that cosmetics rule. It's easy to replace a board or something....not so easy to replace artwork.

To me, it sounds like a great choice if you desire to learn the skill of pinball machine repair. If your burning desire is to play a game of pinball on your personal machine in the next week or so, you might consider a machine that's more functional. But then it's always the cost vs. reward consideration.

My experience with machines like this - even if everything goes wrong for you, you shouldn't really ever be in a position to lose more than a couple hundred dollars (at worst). If that's comfortable for you, jump on in!
 
Man, that's a tough call for a first machine and that particular problem. Price wise...well, OK I guess. How would you feel if you ended up with $750 in this machine when you are finished? That is a possibility, so you need to keep it in mind.

The flip side - you give up in a few months and sell it for $200. Can you live with that? If so, go for it.

You really aren't going to be able to tell much without spending a lot of time on the machine. Look for acid damage on the boards (and start calculating repair costs). At this price range, I think that cosmetics rule. It's easy to replace a board or something....not so easy to replace artwork.

To me, it sounds like a great choice if you desire to learn the skill of pinball machine repair. If your burning desire is to play a game of pinball on your personal machine in the next week or so, you might consider a machine that's more functional. But then it's always the cost vs. reward consideration.

My experience with machines like this - even if everything goes wrong for you, you shouldn't really ever be in a position to lose more than a couple hundred dollars (at worst). If that's comfortable for you, jump on in!

Thanks for the info. Its being presented as near perfect playfield etc. Just the constant shutdown after 10 seconds on.

In a perfect world I would like to find a newer one in the 6-800 range but cant seem to find anything. So thinking this might be the best route to start with a pin. You got a picture of what acid damage looks like on a pin board.
 
Thanks for the info. Its being presented as near perfect playfield etc. Just the constant shutdown after 10 seconds on.

In a perfect world I would like to find a newer one in the 6-800 range but cant seem to find anything. So thinking this might be the best route to start with a pin. You got a picture of what acid damage looks like on a pin board.

You can have the seller pull the BG and then look at the CPU board around where the batteries are and look for acid damage there. What does the machine do in those 10 seconds?
 
Quoted from ad "Nicest condition Time Warp you'll ever find. Clear-coated playfield looks great. New rubber. All new bulbs. Led's in pop-bumpers (converted to 555's). Cabinet in good shape with minimal wear. Has banana flippers. Backglass has some flaking. Will need some troubleshooting. Game usually stops working about 10 seconds after booting. Will need a score display in #4 if you're into 4 player games"
 
I had a Time Warp for a year or so (was my first pinball machine), and enjoyed it a lot. These usually fetch around $400 in good working condition. If there's nothing major going on you could be getting a good deal, but if you have to start replacing boards it could add up quick. The flaking backglass might make it tricky to unload in the future should you decide to upgrade.
 
Quoted from ad "Nicest condition Time Warp you'll ever find. Clear-coated playfield looks great. New rubber. All new bulbs. Led's in pop-bumpers (converted to 555's). Cabinet in good shape with minimal wear. Has banana flippers. Backglass has some flaking. Will need some troubleshooting. Game usually stops working about 10 seconds after booting. Will need a score display in #4 if you're into 4 player games"


What did you decide?

Here's my bias against that particular ad (and maybe somebody else will chime in)...the owner is obviously a "pinball" person. They have a certain level of knowledge. Why have they given up on the machine? You know if it were an "easy" fix, they would've done it by now. How forthcoming are they on their efforts to fix the machine to date?

New rubber, new bulbs, converted 555's - somebody has already spent some time on this machine, and then gave up. Why? I'd consider that carefully. It's possible they just ran out of knowledge or desire - but also possible they understand full repair is not cost-effective. So tread lightly.
 
What did you decide?

Here's my bias against that particular ad (and maybe somebody else will chime in)...the owner is obviously a "pinball" person. They have a certain level of knowledge. Why have they given up on the machine? You know if it were an "easy" fix, they would've done it by now. How forthcoming are they on their efforts to fix the machine to date?

New rubber, new bulbs, converted 555's - somebody has already spent some time on this machine, and then gave up. Why? I'd consider that carefully. It's possible they just ran out of knowledge or desire - but also possible they understand full repair is not cost-effective. So tread lightly.

very good point... i'l give guy call back today and try to get more info...
 
They have a certain level of knowledge. Why have they given up on the machine? You know if it were an "easy" fix, they would've done it by now. How forthcoming are they on their efforts to fix the machine to date?

New rubber, new bulbs, converted 555's - somebody has already spent some time on this machine, and then gave up. Why? I'd consider that carefully. It's possible they just ran out of knowledge or desire - but also possible they understand full repair is not cost-effective. So tread lightly.

There is a huge difference between changing out bulbs and rubbers and trying to repair/troubleshoot a board, huge difference.
 
There is a huge difference between changing out bulbs and rubbers and trying to repair/troubleshoot a board, huge difference.

Time Warp is mainly significant for being the only one of two pinball machines that had banana flippers (IIRC). It's more infamous than a good machine IMO. I don't know if it would make a good first machine, but $300 isn't totally bad, but it depends upon whether or not there aren't serious problems within that might cost a bunch to fix.
 
I just picked up one of these. I like the lighting and the sounds. I have a couple of things to fix but I think it will be well-liked in the collection.
 
wonder if I just bought this pin?? I just picked one up with an excellent playfield, clearcoated - super nice restore job, backglass has pretty bad flaking and it does come one some times and cut right off, GI lights still on but displays turn off or never comes on. Previous owner bought it working I believe but seems to have given him the same issues not long after buying. seems to be just a loose wire IMO based on it somewhat working before I bought it. any of the same issues reported with other time warp owners?
 
wonder if I just bought this pin?? I just picked one up with an excellent playfield, clearcoated - super nice restore job, backglass has pretty bad flaking and it does come one some times and cut right off, GI lights still on but displays turn off or never comes on. Previous owner bought it working I believe but seems to have given him the same issues not long after buying. seems to be just a loose wire IMO based on it somewhat working before I bought it. any of the same issues reported with other time warp owners?

GI lights are no indication of function on those machines. They're powered straight off the AC power coming in from the main switch.

Likely one of the typical system 6 problems. Interboard connector, chip sockets, cracked solder on the connector pins..... that kind of stuff.

-Hans
 
thanks for the info, my guess is one of the connectors. one looks pretty bad and might have a broken connector pin and exposed wire (about 3-4 inches before going into connector)? guess I'll do some rookie troubleshooting. I'll have to take some pics of the playfield, looks like a started restoration and either ran out of money or something.

GI lights are no indication of function on those machines. They're powered straight off the AC power coming in from the main switch.

Likely one of the typical system 6 problems. Interboard connector, chip sockets, cracked solder on the connector pins..... that kind of stuff.

-Hans
 
thanks for the info, my guess is one of the connectors. one looks pretty bad and might have a broken connector pin and exposed wire (about 3-4 inches before going into connector)? guess I'll do some rookie troubleshooting. I'll have to take some pics of the playfield, looks like a started restoration and either ran out of money or something.

Shoot some photos of the damage you're seeing, may be able to point something out for you.

Worst case scenario... I do board repair on System 6's :)

-Hans
 
Shoot some photos of the damage you're seeing, may be able to point something out for you.

Worst case scenario... I do board repair on System 6's :)

-Hans

Cool will do. I'll keep that in consideration. Turned it on after being off for awhile and it actually seemed to want to work or cycle thru the audit selection. Then it would shut off. Turned off and all the scores/other info lights up. Each time shutting off but shorter time on each time. Then finally nothing again except for GI lights. power supply? hhhmm. I'll take some pics and maybe video of whats going on and post it. I'll take some of the awesome playfield as well.
 
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