s2000 repair help needed

[slotdoofus]

I have a 5 line Double Diamond that works...but has issues.

Here's the scoop....When the machine is powered down, the pull arm is locked, and won't move. Once powered on, the pull arm is no longer locked, and moves freely even before the credit button is pushed. The reels don't activate when the handle is pulled w/o a credit which I know is correct. Once a credit(s) is played, the arm causes the reels to spin as usual for game play. The other issue, (which is probably related) is when the game is powered on, ALL of the console buttons are lit, even the spin reels button. The 5 lamps for the individual lines played are also lit, (the picture shows the upper 2 are out...waiting on bulbs to arrive so I can replace). Last, but not least, both lamps in the candle remain lit at all times.

I've only had this machine for a week. I have had the machine behave like it should a couple of times, but each time, the normal game play conditions only lasted for a few credits...so, needless to say, the problems are intermittent.

The only thing I've tried so far is I've swapped both I/O boards with others from my other machines, but this hasn't fixed my problem. The machine is still misbehaving.

Can anyone please provide help in what I should check, and in what order, to help me diagnose this problem.

I'm not totally unfamiliar w/ game repairs...I know my wat around pinball machines pretty good. These slot machines are a completely different beast.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide.

[Shaggy]

I don't know a lot about the different settings on an S2000. I'm wondering, could this be some sort of a tournament option that the machine is set on? Candles lit but don't flash. Maybe just a bad MPU or motherboard. It's like it's accepting a credit when powered up. But with no credits on it no matter which button you push it won't spin the reels right? We gotta start somewhere.

Dave

[slotdoofus]

Thanks Dave,

You are correct, when no credit is played, none of the buttons drive the reels, (except the bet max button).

I haven't tried swapping the CPU or mother boards just yet. The first thing I'm going to try is re-seat each connector inside the machine a few times. Maybe I have a bad connection somewhere. Like I said earlier, I have had the machine behave properly a couple of times, but each time was only for a few credits.

Are these circuit boards known to get/have broken/cold solder joints, similar to pinball boards?

[Shaggy]

Thanks Dave,

You are correct, when no credit is played, none of the buttons drive the reels, (except the bet max button).

I haven't tried swapping the CPU or mother boards just yet. The first thing I'm going to try is re-seat each connector inside the machine a few times. Maybe I have a bad connection somewhere. Like I said earlier, I have had the machine behave properly a couple of times, but each time was only for a few credits.

Are these circuit boards known to get/have broken/cold solder joints, similar to pinball boards?

Any board can have that sort of problem. The trouble being, these boards are pretty complex and it's hard to track a trouble spot. Have you pulled out the MPU and checked the green Varta battery? That dude can leak and cause more troubles than you can even imagine. I would start there. As always power off the machine before removing any boards or connectors. I don't know if any of this has been covered before with you but I'm trying to get up to speed.

[slotdoofus]

I've replaced the battery already.

[qbert]

If it's a 500 series mpu just pitch the green varta you don't need it.
Back to the original problem you said you swapped out the two I/O cards I'm assuming the ones on the door? Also you said for a short time it worked properly.
Sounds like maybe a chaffed wire. Check the harness by the door going into the cabinet and the wires close to the pull handle. Also if you have another machine you might want to try also swapping the cabinet I/O card also.
Check for bent/broken pins on all of the I/O cards also.

Rich

[slotdoofus]

Well.....I feel kinda stupid now.

I thing this connector not being plugged in may have been causing the problem? I don't remember unplugging this.

I followed the wiring coming from the coin door I/O and re-seated it several times to ensure a good connection. It was either the re-seating, or plugging in the black connector that solved my problem.

Machine is playing fime now....(hoping it'll last).

Thanks for taking time to help guys....

[qbert]

Never feel stupid these machines can be intimidating. We have all spent hours/days trying to diagnose a problem only to find it was self induced for something just like this . The more you work through problems the more you learn about the machines.
Great job glad you got it working 
Rich

[slotdoofus]

Thanks Rich,

Ya gotta love it when the repair is something simple.

I remember being overwhelmed/intimidated when it came to pinball repair 7 years ago. Today, no pinball repair/restore scares me. I've done it so much I can do it in my sleep now.

I hope I never have to do much board repair on these slots. I hate surface mount components.

 

[qbert]

Surface mount does suck. Fortunately replacement boards are still plentiful and relatively cheap. There will come a day though...

[slotdoofus]

Yeah...I noticed the boards seem fairly cheap...especially compared to the price of pinball boards.

[Shaggy]

Never feel stupid these machines can be intimidating. We have all spent hours/days trying to diagnose a problem only to find it was self induced for something just like this . The more you work through problems the more you learn about the machines.
Great job glad you got it working 
Rich