IGT Players Edge Plus Video Poker - Stuck Hopper

[MMER1116]

I have a 1992 Players Edge Plus PE  Video Poker that has a stuck hopper.  At Christmas, I slid the hopper out made a small repair, then slid it back in.   Since then, the battery on the MPU has gone out.  I tried to remove the hopper today.  Have tried everything.  it does move in and out about 1/4 inch. I have slammed it in and out about 30 times, tried to put a flat bladed screw driver between the plug halves,  even had my college football buddy hold the machine while doing this because the game was tipping over.


If i destroy the plug, are they available.  Has anyone seen this?  Any suggestions?


Thanks,


Mike

[rokgpsman]

Are you sure it is the hopper electrical connector on the back of the hopper that is holding it in place/not letting it slide forward? There are 2 metal guides on the cabinet floor that the bottom plate of the hopper slides under, maybe something is jammed in there, like a coin or something, and that is keeping the hopper from moving forward. Hate to see enough force applied that you break something. Was whatever you did to make the repair back at Christmas in the area that is jammed?

I've heard of people parting out machines and the hopper connector would be available. It may even be the same connector that is used on the S and S+ models, which would make it easier to locate.

[MMER1116]

Finally got it out.  Required a 2 ft bar that I hooked into the hopper handle and pried against the side of the cabinet.  The hopper would slide back and forth about 3/8 of an inch, but would not come out.  After removal I found the problem.  The lower screw holding the female socket vibrated out.  When I was pulling the hopper forward, the plug was tilting up and not allowing the male pins on the hopper to dis-engage.  Everything looks clean, no corrosion or damaged pins.


Thanks,


Mike

[rokgpsman]

Good that there was no serious damage. If that screw that came loose doesn't feel very tight when you put it back in you might want to put some fingernail polish or other mild threadlock (like the blue Ford threadlock stuff) on it so you don't have this problem again.