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My Rocky & Bullwinkle Pinball Is Not Working

Pinball machines are a classic form of entertainment that continues to be entertain generations of kids and adults alike. The Rocky and Bullwinkle pinball machine was released in 1992, so chances are it may be experiencing a few "old age" problems. Sluggish or stuck parts, problems with the digital display, and a machine that won't turn on are just a few signs that it is in need of a checkup.

Things You'll Need

Voltmeter
Screwdriver
Small cloth
91 percent isopropyl alcohol

Instructions

- 1
  
  Check to see whether any fuses are blown.
  
  Unplug the machine and wait five minutes before inspecting it. Check the fuses. You can sometimes tell if a fuse is blown simply by looking at it. For all the others, use a voltmeter. Set your voltmeter to the lowest resistance value and then connect it to the fuse. The meter should read from 0.1 -- 0.4. If it does not, the fuse is probably blown.
  
  The pinball machine has several fuses and you will have to check them all. Look for them in the backboard, coming out of the CPU, under the machine and under the playing field.
  
  If the fuse is broken you will need to replace it. Check in the machine manual or on the back of the box for the fuse specifications.
- 2
  
  If the parts are not moving, the springs may have become loose or rusted.
  
  Remove sticky parts and clean them. Sometimes the moving parts of the machine become stuck or slow down. Do not lubricate them because this will make the problem worse. Instead, remove the plastic top of the machine with your screwdriver. Pull out each part that is presenting a problem. You can do so just by pulling on it with your hand. Take a small cloth and clean the part with isopropyl alcohol. If this does not solve the problem, you may need to replace the springs. Pinball machine and parts suppliers can provide you with a "rebuild kit" for such problems. It comes with extra springs and parts and is easy to install.
- 3
  
  Check to see whether the batteries are dead or leaking fluids.
  
  Check the batteries. Pinball machine batteries should be replaced once a year. The pinball machine has batteries to maintain the memory settings, which include things such as the high score panel. An old battery can leak and destroy the CPU. Open the back box of the machine using your screwdriver. You will find the batteries' location on the main board. You can use your voltmeter to test it if you need. If the voltage is close to zero, take out the battery and replace it.
- 4
  
  Look on the CPU for any signs of damage.
  
  Inspect the CPU and look for any signs of damage. This could include blackened areas and leaking parts. Depending on the part, you might be able to find a replacement in a hardware store or you may have to call a pinball parts supplier.
- 5
  Contact an electrician or a pinball parts dealer if all of the steps above fail to yield any results. Potentially, the CPU needs to be replaced or significant wiring needs to be fixed.

Classic Console Games