Noob pulls handle and machine goes to RAM error

[Wadsworth]

I wish I were smarter.  I'm resurrecting a coinless (bill in ticket out) S2000 progressive machine.  All is fine until I pull the handle.  The machine takes a s...t and give me a RAM error.  A few turns of the JP key and pressing the reset switch 2-3 sec. and I'm back, with no credits.  WTF.

[cowboygames]

I'd start by making sure your chips are seated well on the MPU, the MPU is seated well to the motherboard and the memory battery on the MPU is 3v. The MPU is the tray in the lower part of the cabinet on the left wall. The motherboard is on the back wall behind it. Make sure the machine is turned off before removing any boards

[Shaggy]

Can you get it to run with just the buttons?

[CVslots]

Check the handle release solenoid (its kinda hard to get to and see). I think I've seen this same issue when one of the wires is shorting out on the cabinet wall.

[rokgpsman]

Check the handle release solenoid (its kinda hard to get to and see). I think I've seen this same issue when one of the wires is shorting out on the cabinet wall.

                       
^^^ What she said  ^^^

Inspect the wires that go to the handle solenoid area, make sure none of them are pinched, chaffed or otherwise look damaged. Something like that will glitch the power supply line, mpu throws an error.   

[Retro tech repair]

what is the error it gives after you turn the key the first time.

[CVslots]

what is the error it gives after you turn the key the first time.

 

I think we may be having a translation issue...

We do not know what error you are mentioning? We suggested a fix, but do not know of you did that yet?

[Retro tech repair]

RAM error.  A few turns of the JP key and pressing the reset switch 2-3 sec. and I'm back

first time op turns the key shouldn't it give a more detailed error like a crc mismatch it does for every s2k i have ever worked on. anyway i had a few machines do similar things after a massive electrical storm srams got corrupt swapped sockets(anyone attempting that should be careful the legs on some of the chips are much more delicate than a normal eprom) machines haven't erred since.

[Wadsworth]

The game plays OK with buttons, but when the handle is pulled, the system blanks out for a bit (like a short), then begins a reboot (please wait .... testing memory, etc.) leading to a RAM error.  I turn the jackpot key 4 times, press the reset button 3 sec, and it is back up and running but with no credits. 

I have traced the wires from the to the handle (orange to solenoid; black to handle switch) and they look OK, but without removing the handle assembly, I can't see where the black ones go .  The power supply, chips and boards seem to be seated OK.

I'm going to work on it again today.  I'll pull the handle assembly and give it a look.

[therockinelvis]

I had a machine doing the same thing. If I slapped the side it would do it too. I ended up replacing the mother board. When the mpu was installed it was not very tight and the slightest bump would make it reboot. But never had to turn the key etc.

[Wadsworth]

I finally found the problem.  I removed and tested the handle assembly.  Not finding a problem, I connected it and laid it on the bottom of the cabinet.  Reaching under the door with the bottom plate removed, I could activate the handle and all was well.  I re-installed the handle assembly to the cabinet and then instead of rebooting, the handle would activate as soon as I began to pull it!   

Sticking my head inside the cabinet, I could see the unused bare tab on the micro-switch in close contact with the back of the cash box chassis.  Using a screwdriver, I bent the tab up away from the chassis.  Now the handle functions normally. 

So the problem seems to have been a short between one of the micro-switch contacts and the chassis.

Thanks to all of you for your input .