Stern Pinball AC/DC Service And Operation Manual page 34

SERVICE MENU SYSTEM
TECHNICIAN ALERTS
To initiate, from the diagnostics menu select the "TECH" icon.
This menu is provided to show any switch problems and/or
missing pinballs. If this icon is not blinking, there are no technician
alerts. If upon entering the service menu the display indicated an
asterisk [*] and "USE -/+ TO VIEW TECH. ALERTS", alerts are present (the
above "TECH" icon will also blink).
Note on Switch Detection: During gameplay, activation of switches are continuously monitored. For a switch to be determined
as inoperable, or "OUT OF SERVICE", up to twenty games or so must be played for a switch to be automatically marked as "OUT
OF SERVICE". In programming, if a switch is determined to be faulty, gameplay is compensated. Switches noted as "OUT OF
SERVICE" are determined to be stuck closed or open depending on switch usage. Free up the switch actuator, adjust, or replace
if necessary. Performing a valid switch closure will put the switch back "IN SERVICE".
Determination of switch usage can be checked in Audits. Find the associated audit with the switch in question and check usage;
compare the numbers to commonly used switches. After any switch is checked and repaired or replaced, it's suggested to test
the switch in the Switch Test or Single Coil Test where the associated coil to the switch can be tested as well. After correcting the
problem, the switch will be marked "IN SERVICE" and the switch is again monitored as specified above. Only you can determine
if a switch marked "OUT OF SERVICE" is actually inoperable or if it is just not getting actuated during gameplay.
Note on Pinball Detection: While in the technician alerts menu, if the fol-
lowing is displayed, the game has detected one (1) or more pinball(s) missing
and has compensated for the last pinball(s) to provide normal gameplay.
During gameplay a pinball can get trapped or stuck. If after approximately
15 seconds of inactivity or "no scoring", Ball Search is started. Note: If the
pinball is in the plunger lane or "held" on the flipper, no ball search will be performed. The game will perform one ball search in an
attempt to "find" or free-up the pinball.
If the games does not see a switch closure (indicating the pinball has not been found), the dot matrix display may indicate [LO-
CATING PINBALLS PLEASE WAIT...], during which Ball Search will continue until the timer runs out (this feature will not happen
if the game is in Competition Mode. Ball Search will continue until the pinball is found, unstuck and/or replaced manually). The
display will momentarily acknowledge the missing pinball(s). The game will provide another pinball into play and will compensate
for the lost pinball. Gameplay will appear normal.
Note: This detection and compensation will happen with every pinball if each suffers the same fate of a ball trap. If all balls get
trapped, the game cannot be played or started until the situation is rectified.
Important: Determine where the pinball is! Do not add pinball(s) until it is determined the pinball(s) are indeed missing and not
just stuck. The most common places for a pinball to be stuck is in device holes (ejects and VUKs) or ball troughs. Determine that
all devices are functioning properly. Check around plastic pieces and ramps to see if pinballs have gotten jammed or stuck.
When the found pinball or a replacement pinball is added to the ball trough, the technician alert will immediately clear and will
then indicate any remaining alerts (if present) or "NO TECHNICIAN ALERTS".
Enter the Ball Trough Test to cycle the pinballs and to check proper switch and coil operation. If a pinball was added, and the
originally stuck pinball has freed itself at a later time, the game will not operate correctly.
Note on Device Malfunction: While in the technician alerts menu, if the
following is displayed, the game has detected a "device malfunction". Check
the device indicated (coil and/or switch).
34
After selecting this icon, the display will indicate the alert(s). If there are 2
alerts present, the display will indicate (1/2) with the 1st alert on display.
Press the red [+/>] button to view the second alert (2/2). The second number
in the parenthesis after the slash indicates how many alerts total are present.
To return to the diagnostics menu, press the green [BACK] button.
AC/DC LUCI MANUAL 500-55C8-01