Universal 8563 Jokers Wild Help

[WiDiLi]

First time posting! Hopefully I can get much needed help with this machine. It’s my first project and I don’t know if I am in over my head! I purchased it as a gift in 2023, then got some health issues that put it on the back burner. All is well and I’m ready to get this baby running again! I haven’t plugged it in yet. Is it safe to power it up? It needs a door lock and a set of reset keys.

[Pitts256]

Before plugging the machine in and turning on the power switch you'll need to complete a pre-startup check.

First step would be to pull the CPU board out, pop the cover off and take a closeup photo of the battery area. If the board has signs of acid damaged you'll need to make some repairs. Check the battery voltage, if the machine's been off for awhile it may be dead. If the battery is dead and has some age on it now's the time to replace. The battery has some voltage? It may charge up okay once the machine is powered up but I'd still replace as soon as you take possession of a new one.   

While your taking photos post one of the entire front of the door, the inside of the door and the reels-hopper.

Once the CPU board passes inspection we can reinstall and power-up with a master reset.

The door lock is needed to secure the door latch as well as flag the photo eye to satisfy the CPU interlock. Is the lock linkage still there? Parts of the lock still there? The barrel lock is easy to find, the linkage and a spacer-bushing not. We can run without the lock, the photo eye will have to be blocked with tape. The second barrel key is for the jackpot reset and accounting locks. The second key works on both those locks and is common to all Universal machines.
 
 

[WiDiLi]

So Glad I reached out before doing anything, the last thing I want to do is make matters worse! I have pictures to review, it does need a cleaning. There isn’t anything left of the lock. The cabinet looks like it may have been taped down to operate.
I truly a newbie at this so I will need some tutorial on what and where things are and best ways to do tasks!

[Pitts256]

Thanks for the photos. So what you have so far looks good.

The door interlock appears to be a micro switch rather than a photo eye. If it hasn't been you'll need to tape the lever down. We'll address that more later.

Inside the cabinet, upper left side, is the power supply. Lets turn the switch to the off position and also coil up the power cord and twist tie while servicing.

On the left side of the cabinet is the CPU board. Remove the screw at the handle and unplug the two Molex plugs exiting the hole at the topside. Grab the handle and pull the CPU cage straight out. Remove the 5 screws that secure the cover and then remove the cover. Post a photo of the entire board and also a close-up of the battery area.



 

[WiDiLi]

 :propeller:Ok, switch is off, cord secured. I have pulled the unit out, haven’t check for power yet for the battery. I will follow up with that info in a bit. Here are some pictures of the board. Battery has some corrosion on it , I think it has to be replaced

[Pitts256]

You up for the repair work?

Definitely change the battery. When the battery is out the board needs to be cleaned with some vinegar, the strongest you can find, I use 40% concentration. Apply the solution anywhere there's signs of acid, and let it soak in for several minutes. Lightly scrub the area with a nylon brush, be careful around those small capacitors and transistors, they'll break off. Blow off the solution with some compressed air and then dry the area thoroughly with a hair dryer. Apply some heat to the bottom side of the board too. Next we'll need to check the continuity of some traces and resistors near the battery. If all checks good then reinstall the new battery, install the CPU board back in the cage, reinstall back in the cabinet and power up with a "ALL CLEAR" reset. If the CPU boots up okay there will be some sound pulses from the door speaker.

I'll PM you the continuity checks when your ready.

-Randy

 

[Pitts256]

Hi WiDiLi,

While waiting for your repaired board to arrive the coin comparitor has a jamb that can be addressed now. There's probably a couple of coins stuck in the chute (see photo). The sensor is spring loaded and can be pushed to the right to allow the coins to pass through. Once the coins are clear one coin needs to be inserted in the sensor as shown in the second photo.

-Randy

[WiDiLi]

Glad to hear that it’s working!
I cleared the jamb, it was just one coin. This is the best position I can get with out the coin going through.
Let me know if there’s something I need to adjust.
Look forward to putting the CPU back in!
Thank you Pitt256!

[Pitts256]

Your close...

Here's a better photo.

[WiDiLi]

CPU is back in and I have codes flashing in the win meter. Codes 50 and 13 which I expected. But it also was showing code 21 (coin jam)and 31(coins over dispensed). TILT in the left corner as well. I pushed the reset and it cleared the 31 code. Still getting the others.  I don’t know what code 13 is. Taped off the door sensors and checked for coin jams and I don’t see anything. The coins are dropping straight down to the tray. I have the quarter in the comparitor sitting properly.
Hope this is a simple fix! Any help is appreciated!

LD

[Pitts256]

Almost there...

Codes 50 (door was open) and 13 (machine was powered up) are normal at start-up. They'll clear after the first play.

Codes 21 (coin photo eye jam) and 31 (hopper over dispensed) are a blockage seen at one of the three photo eyes below the coin comparitor and the second is an error code left from when I set up the CPU for the high speed hopper. The coin comparitor will not work until we clear the Error 21/TILT. Check the 3 photo eyes as seen in the photo below and make sure there's no coins, paper or dust covering the small holes...there's two holes for each eye on either side of the coin path gap. If they are all clean/clear then take some pieces of paper and block all 3 eyes, now try pushing the reset button. Did the tilt clear? If so then we'll have to change the CPU board DIP switch setting.

The door switch in the photo below needs the micro switch lever taped down to satisfy the interlock until you can locate a door lock and linkage.