Tech: TAF backbox "thing" lights out

[mike in p-hill]

Hi, I've got a problem with the Thing lights under the DMD. The
lights work in the test modes but don't come on during game play.
I've reflowed the solder and there's no difference in voltage between
test and play modes.
I have it set to factory settings so 3 lights should be on.

The only thing I haven't done is replace the diodes but I don't see
how that would help, since they are on in test mode. I'd find it hard
to believe all the diodes are out.

I searched the archives but found nothing. What am I missing? I'm
out of ideas on what to look for.

As usual, thanks for the help

Mike

[psk445]

Can you earn the "thing" lights during game play by shooting the ball
through the pop bumpers around things box and then shoot it up the
left ramp from the upper right flipper to spot a "thing" letter? No
reason why they would work in test and not during game play, maybe
something else is screwy in your adjustments (maybe do a factory
reset?)
JJ

[mike in p-hill]

Yes that works. They were all off until I triggered it and 4 lights
came on.

I could swear that three lights would come on when a game was
started. They're still out in attact mode.

Maybe there is another setting somewhere, I'll check the manual again.

> JJ- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[psk445]

On Nov 24, 4:29 pm, mike in p-hill <miller...@msn.com> wrote:
> Yes that works. They were all off until I triggered it and 4 lights
> came on.
>
> I could swear that three lights would come on when a game was
> started.  They're still out in attact mode.
>
> Maybe there is another setting somewhere, I'll check the manual again.

There is an adjustment for "spot thing" (or something like that.)
Whatever number you set it for will be the number of letters light up
when you start a game (default is 3.)

Also the thing lights do NOT light up during attract mode.

[mike in p-hill]

Well it's working now. Turned it back on and started a new game,
three lights came on.

I had a switch error #38 that I fixed last night. Apparently that's
the switch that activates the thing lights. It looks like none of the
lights come on until you make the loop/ramp shot.

Now, I know.

Thanks,
Mike

[Rommel]

On Nov 25, 1:58 am, mike in p-hill <miller...@msn.com> wrote:

> It looks like none of the
> lights come on until you make the loop/ramp shot.

Not true. They should be on from the start of the game.

Sounds like a loose connector to me.

[mike in p-hill]

I agree and they are now.

The thing lights were out for a couple weeks. I tried changing the
number of lights in the adjustments. No lights.
Replaced pinds on the light board, no lights
replaced connector at the light board, no lights.
Connected and disconnected light wires to both boards several times,
No lights.
Tested voltage at the light board, 12v +/- at the pins, no lights.
I had switch error #38. Even with this error I should have had three
lights on at the start of the game. No lights.
Fixed the error, played several games, not sure if I actually made the
shot to trigger the lights. No lights.

Posted here, manually made the loop/ramp shot, 4 lights came on. (3
that were the defaul and 1 for making the shot)

Why? I don't know. Must be the magic of RGP? Post a nagging problem
that doesn't make sense and it starts working making you feel like a
fool for posting. 8)

Maybe this will help someone in the future.

MM