Pinball Flipper Troubleshooting

Unplug the machine from the electrical outlet.

Open the coin door. Locate the lever for the lockdown bar and rotate it. This will release the lockdown bar.

Slide the play glass off the machine carefully. If the glass sticks, wet the edges and apply a little pressure. Set the glass aside in a safe location.

Look inside the machine for any obvious problems like dirt or loose parts.

Move the flippers manually with your fingers. Feel for resistance in the movement. This may indicate the flipper needs lubrication.

Check for loose springs. If the spring is not sitting straight or securely, remove the flipper assembly and install a new spring.

Look for wires that may have pulled away from the assembly. Reattach any loose wires.

Check the surface of the flippers for cracks. Replace the flipper if it is cracked or damaged.

Inspect the rubber on the tip of the flipper crank. If worn, remove the rubber. It should pull off. Install a new rubber to the flipper. Pinballnews.com suggests that a two walled neoprene rubber works best and will last longer.

Look for the metal plunger. This is the piece the pushes the flipper back and forth. Move the metal plunger with your finger. Feel to see if the plunger hits against the coil stop when you move it. If you do not feel the bump, you will need to rebuild the flipper.

Push the plunger until it seats on the coil stop. Then move it back and forth with your finger, wiggling the plunger. You want to see if there is excess play in the flipper. If you are able to move it more than 1/8 of an inch, you will need to rebuild the flipper.

Clean off the plunger mechanism with a dry cotton swab if everything appears to be in order. The buildup of dirt may be enough to keep the flipper from moving correctly.