PinTech LIVE – Episode 9 – Troubleshooting Data East Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
EP009 – Troubleshooting Data East TMNT
Let’s dive into Data East’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pinball with some live troubleshooting!
3:20 Kyle introduces the DE TMNT pinball machine
4:00 Closeup of TMNT playfield
4:29 Kyle opens the machine and grabs the head key
5:16 inside of the backbox
5:40 some common issues with boards in DE games
6:08 replacing batteries with NVRAM
6:35 burnt connectors are an issue in DE games and why IDC connectors should be replaced with Molex.
7:30 boards should be screwed down.
8:45 batteries might cause corrosion and what happens when you remove batteries and don’t replace with NVRAM
9:25 removing speaker panel and why ground straps are important
9:55 indypins asks about lithium batteries and asks what they should be replaced with
10:40 Kyle removes the battery pack
10:55 TJ Beyer says the PPB is missing a transistor
11:20 using remote battery holders and where to mount them
12:45 indypins asks about ni-cad batteries and Kyle re-iterates that no batteries and NVRAM is better, but as long as you change them it’s probably okay.
13:40 some games have features that won’t work without batteries being present.
13:59 Netreamer gives us a tip on fuses and values
14:15 fuse clips and how to check them (pintip)
16:00 how to correctly power up a used game for the first time.
16:45 past owner hacks that need to be fixed (auto-launch)
17:24 Kyle comments on how the rails are “crunchy” and suggests greasing them
18:20 solid state flipper board and checking fuse clips
19:50 mitchell reeder asks about the function of the cylinder in the bottom cabinet of DE games
20:44 solid state flippers and explains why DE eventually went back to EOS switches
21:20 closer look at the auto-launch mechanism
22:45 Imoto will be back next week!
23:03 why manufacturer’s moved away from compressions springs and went to extension springs
24:00 Kyle tells us about original DE flipper links and suggests changing them for newer style links
25:46 what needs lubing
26:17 what grease to use to fix the “crunchiness”
27:30 what to check right before powering up.
28:30 PinScore DMD and the history of the smaller DMD
29:24 Kyle turns TMNT off and reconnects the coil power
30:14 Kyle explains GI strands (pintip)
32:00 the difference between GI and feature lamps
32:20 how to differentiate between GI strands
33:45 Kyle returns to the loose pop bumper coil and notices a missing screw
35:17 Kyle notices that the sewer upkicker plunger is very sticky and shows us how to lubricate the the pivot point of the mech with zoom spout oil
38:25 Kyle teaches us how important it is to be able to identify screws
41:02 Kyle shows off his hardware box and shows us the difference between a #6 and #8 screw.
42:45 Kyle explains the usage of T-nuts
43:45 Mitchell reeder asks how to remove an old T-nut
44:15 different sizes of screws and where they are used (pintip)
45:00 Steve suggests buying a fastener kit
47:20 Kyle greases the rails and gives us a closeup of the greased rail
48:20 Kyle lowers the playfield and rolls it over the grease
50:00 Kyle removes a hacked screw from the apron. 50:40 “leave everything nicer than it was before”.
51:40 ball service mech, removes the coil (pintip)
55:00 Kyle explains how he made his bent screwdriver
55:48 Kyle applies grease to a screwdriver then the pivot post
56:10 Kyle reinstalls kicker to the service assembly.
57:00 difference between extensions springs and compression spring
58:00 re-installing the ball trough kicker mech.
59:10 Mitchell asks about people using a shorter extension spring and Kyle explains that you shouldn’t have to do that if everything is clean.
1:00:10 NetReamer asks about striker ring on Data East machines.
1:01:15 Kyle gives advice about how to install flipper rubber (PinTip)
1:05:20 Kyle explains the wireform under the apron
1:06:23 Kyle replaces the plastic apron
1:07:24 playfield slide rails are short and it’s possible to pull the playfield off of them. (pintip)
1:08:35 Data East test system.
1:11:01 Rolling_wonder tells us that some EMs have a wireform in the backbox
1:11:45 TJ Beyer tells us that WMS system 11 and earlier have the same diagnostic switch setup as Data East
1:12:16 Kyle continues showing us the DE diagnostic system
1:13:00 flashers aren’t considered lamps but solenoids in the diagnostic menu.
1:13:36 Kyle shows us the ramp flaps and explains that they will need to be replaced due to kinking.
1:15:00 Kyle finds the Data East flasher test
1:16:03 Kyle points out that the DE CPU is very similar to System 11 CPU and explains what each board in the backbox is.
1:20:00 Kyle shows us that the auto-kicker is having issues and explains why it’s needing fixing.
1:21:35 Kyle slam tilts the game after putting two balls into sewer confuses the computer
1:25:29 Kyle finds a loose screw and reminds us that every pinball is broken, you just have to search the issue.
1:26:25 NetReamer gives us the DE part number for the striker ring.
1:27:10 Wrapping up.