Gottlieb Solved Caveman (Gottlieb, 1982) What is the Video Test Jack?

[Dan Riboflavin]

So I've just unearthed a Gottlieb Caveman that's been sitting for at least 10 years. Just getting started on it's repair. It's mostly complete, but I seem to be missing something:

On page 15 of the manual:

VIDEO-PINBALL INTERFACE TEST

Located inside the game envelope you will find a six pin molex jack. This jack will be needed to step through the video-pinball interface test.

NOTE: There must be at least one credit on the game before the test can be initiated.

1. Turn dip switches six, seven, and eight located on the A 1-control board to the ON position.

2. Remove the front moulding and disconnect the joystick plug/jack, A9P1/A9J1.

3. Insert the test jack into the A9P1 plug.

...

I can't find ANYTHING on the net about this, except some site in French that briefly references it.

So... any ideas on what this "test jack" is? First tries of this thing showed the video portion of the game actually working fine, but there's nothing quite as not-reassuring as not being able to do tests. :hmm:

Anyway, whatever this plug is, I don't have one. Can't find a pinout or schematic anywhere. Anyone here have any ideas?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[sleepy]

Understand, I'm only guessing, but it SOUNDS LIKE the molex is used to bypass the physical joystick, so MAYBE in test mode the video game is controlled by the board and not by the joystick,
so MAYBE if you are having trouble with controlling the caveman in the video game, then it's a test to find out whether it is the board or the joystick that is at fault, but remember that I'm only guessing.

 

[rascal]

I found this site that explains what that connector does. It simply makes a closed curcuit on all 4 joystick switches. So it would be like the joystick is pushed in all directions at once. Here is the link.
http://replay.pinball.ch/system80pins/Caveman-tec.html

 

[Dan Riboflavin]

Fantastic! This is exactly the info I was looking for and more! Thank you!!!

 

[rascal]

Fantastic! This is exactly the info I was looking for and more! Thank you!!!

Glad I could help.