Williams Blue Chip (Williams, 1976) driving me batty! HELP!! :)

[drsfmd]

Last summer I acquired a Blue Chip on Craigslist in exchange for a Pachislo machine. I've got it mostly working now, but I'm stuck on one small (?)thing... it won't reset.

I have and can read the schematic, I also have the repair manual. I've cleaned all of the contacts, chased all of the wires. The relays all fire when voltage is applied. The score reels reset as they should, and the score motor seems to be working properly.... but the game won't reset.

When I credit the machine up, and push the start button, it goes through the reset of the score reels, decredits by one, etc... but doesn't kick out a ball. If I manually insert the ball into the playfield, it will activate the kickout holes, but nothing else.

I'm perplexed at what to turn to next...

 

[pinballdaveh]

does the ball count advance back to 3 or 5 balls to play? does the bonus unit go to zero and advance 1 increment? does outhole relay pull in after reset is completed? no playfield power is usually a switch on game over latching relay.

 

[drsfmd]

does the ball count advance back to 3 or 5 balls to play? does the bonus unit go to zero and advance 1 increment? does outhole relay pull in after reset is completed? no playfield power is usually a switch on game over latching relay.

I'll have to check these points out-- I can't definately say on any of them.

 

[drsfmd]

Finally got some time to test things last night, and I have some answers...

does the ball count advance back to 3 or 5 balls to play?

Yes, it does. Aside from no ball kickout and no playfield power, it LOOKS like you're ready to go-- I think the machine thinks it's in play.

does the bonus unit go to zero and advance 1 increment?.

It goes to what is listed on the schematic and manual as 10 (the position closest to the player), then advances to 9. This appears to cooincide with what the manual indicates should be happening.

does outhole relay pull in after reset is completed?.

I neglected to check this one... didn't remember you had asked this question. Sorry! I will check in the next day or two and get back to you.

no playfield power is usually a switch on game over latching relay.

I pulled the bottom panel last night (I didn't realize how easy they were to take out!) and got a much better look at things. The switches themselves all appear to be in good shape, and making contact when they should and not making contact when they shouldn't. The switch stacks are tight. It appears that I did a pretty good job with the burnishing tool (I earned myself quite a backache trying to use that thing bent over into the machine like a pretzel).