Mechanical Reel 5 Error on Boot, bad reel?

[enchanter100]

Bally Alpha S9000, 5 reel.  Quick hits 7..  Working fine, turned off.  Later that day turned on and now mechanical reel 5 error.  They all keep spinning, #5 stops.  Then spins.. Then stops.  Then spins.. 1-4 keep spinning like normal.  I moved 5 to 1, error followed the reel to #1.  Do I need a new reel or is there something I can do to this one to fix?  I have a video as well if needed.  Thanks in advance for the help!

[coolwavepic]

Before ruling out if you need to replace the reel. Trouble shoot these steps. If the reel itself follows with the issue move back to reel 5.

1) - Connection - Just because you screw down the connection, sometimes this could cause the right side of the connector to lift up if you screw it in too tight. Loosen the screw and evenly press on the connector while its spinning. (this also works if one of your reel backlights seem to be burned out)
2) - Check that all the wires are sector in that connection. You may have a loose wire.
3) - Some games, if you go into game diagnosics you can calibrate the reels. Try that if your game has that option. I dont know why some games have it and other dont.

I think thats all the steps I can think of before ruling out its a bad reel. Maybe others can chime in with some tips as well. If I think of anything else, I will reply.

[enchanter100]

I inspected the connector on the reel bar, found a pin pushed in.  Fixed that, didn't clear the issue.  But I think it did make a lamp error go away! 
I think I've narrowed it down to something with the reel, because it follows the reel when I move it.  No matter what position (now i have errors on 1 and 4 as well).  I'm hoping those go away on their own once 5 is fixed.  Will investigate the reel calibration possibility. 

[coolwavepic]

I assume you have already closed all doors to the point where it says "Performing Memory Check"... Sometimes that can clear errors, not always but sometimes. Another option would be to ram clear and resetup the game. If you do this, you may have some errors that carry over. Setup the game as normal and close all the doors and see if that fixes it.

I am not saying you don't have a bad reel. (It can also be the reel controller board too) but I have had these same issues on one of mine, and have never replaced any parts on my machine. I did all these steps to mine, and it "fixed it self" some how.

I just want you to troubleshoot before you spend money on a part that may not be needed.

I hope you have a ram clear and know how to setup the game because that also goes a long way with most issues.

[enchanter100]

I actually just purchased this week.  Have not done a clear yet, but that's on my list of things to try.  I turned it off for the night as family are all going to bed.  Will try some more stuff tomorrow.

[enchanter100]

After troubleshooting and narrowing it down, it's related to the optics board. Any reel I put that bad board in fails the same way. But functions once a good board is used.  See attached.  Looking for replacement or I'm also getting a hold of my contacts to see about a repair.

[dailey]

I had a reel fail once and it turned out to be the optics board. Examine the board closely for burned or over heated traces.

[enchanter100]

I had a reel fail once and it turned out to be the optics board. Examine the board closely for burned or over heated traces.

It is indeed that board.  I ended up fixing it by flipping it upside down and using a heat gun on it.  Got all the traces and solder joints hot and then let them cool.  Working now!