Capcom Repair

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For history of Capcom Pinball see Capcom Pinball.

1 Introduction

Capcom turned its hand to Pinball in 1995. The company brought its electronics experience from designing video games. The Capcom platform included a number of technological advances ignored by mainstream manufacturers. In particular, Capcom made extensive use of surface-mount parts and moved to the high performance Motorola 68xxx 32-bit processor.

2 Games

• Flipper Football
• Airborne
• Breakshot
• Pinball Magic
• Big Bang Bar
• Kingpin

3 Technical Info

Capcom used an electronic system that differs in several ways from most WMS and DE/Sega/Stern systems. Some major differences and noticable design points: Seperate switch matrix board with discrete wiring to each switch, the switch matrix diodes are not mounted on the switch but on the board instead. No batteries on the CPU board but an SRAM chip with a built-in backup battery (this battery will eventually wear out just like standard batteries). Adjustments, audits and diagnostics are done using the flipper and start buttons and the menu is entered upon opening the coin door (memory protect switch activated). It features a diagnostic system detecting lamp and switch failures. DMD high voltages are 110V DC (125V on WMS), 98V DC (113V on WMS) and 68V DC (62V on WMS) It supports up to 128 CPU controlled lamps (2x 8x8 lamp matrix). All lamps are CPU controlled and therefore there's no GI and so it doesn't have the burned GI connectors issues either as is common on some other pinballs.

The electronic system consists of the following parts: CPU board A0015403 (mounted behind the DMD). Power supply board A0015204 (upper board in backbox) Driver board A0015105 (big board in the middle of the backbox) Sound board A0015003 (most right in the backbox) Switch board A0015301 (lower board in the backbox) Display power board A0015502 (mounted behind the DMD)

Only exception is the Breakshot which uses a combined Power/driver/switch-board and a different sound board: CPU board A0015403 (mounted behind the DMD). Power/driver board A0017701 (big board in the middle of the backbox) Sound board A0021701 (most right in the backbox) Display power board A0015505 (mounted behind the DMD)

4 Problems and Solutions

4.4 Solenoid problems

General Solenoids in Capcom machines are driven by an STP20N10L logic level N-channel MOSFET. Tie back diodes (1N4004 which can be replaced by 1N4007) are mounted on the driver board so there aren't any on the solenoids. When a solenoid problem occurs the software will report a solenoid problem in the diagnostics.

Locked on solenoid A locked on coil is often caused by a defective MOSFET driver on the driver board. With the power off, first test the resistance between pin 2 (middle) and 3 (right) of the MOSFET, disconnect the connector to the affected coil first so you only measure on the MOSFET. When the resistance is zero or close to zero the MOSFET is defective and needs to be replaced. Before powering on the machine after replacing a defective MOSFET, test the coil's resistance and check the tie back diode and it's connections to the driver board because these are the main causes for a defective MOSFET. If the MOSFET seems to be good next to test is the input of the MOSFET on pin 1 (left) for a signal. When there's no pulse on pin 1 while testing the solenoid in diagnostics it could be a defective 74LS74 driving the MOSFET.

Non working solenoid A non working solenoid is often caused by a broken wire but other causes are possible. The easiest to check is the solenoid itself so check the resistance of the coil first. When the solenoid's resistance is very high or when it doesn't have any resistance at all the coil wire might be broken from the solder tab. When the solenoid seems ok check for continuity of the wires to the coil. When the wires check out fine as well the problem might be caused by a defective MOSFET driver. Check pin 1 (most left pin) of the MOSFET for a signal while the solenoid is activated in diagnostics, if there's a signal the MOSFET is probably broken, if there isn't any signal on pin 1 it's probably caused by a defective 74LS74 driving the MOSFET. After replacing a MOSFET, check the tie back diode and it's connection to the driver board because in this case this is the main cause for a defective MOSFET.

Repeatedly broken MOSFET driver When a defective MOSFET is replaced but fails again after a short period of use, or even the first solenoid activation, test the coil's resistance and check the tie back diode and it's connections to the driver board because these are the main causes for a defective MOSFET. This also occurs when a wrong type of MOSFET is used, a non logic level MOSFET (IRF540 for example) will not be driven correctly because the gate voltage will be insufficient to fully drive the MOSFET causing it to get too hot and fail.

STP20N10L MOSFET alternative In case of a defect STP20N10L MOSFET, this part is getting scarce but it can be replaced by the IRL540N which is readily available. Do NOT use the IRF540N instead (not logic level)! Please note that these MOSFETS are quite sensitive to static electricity.

4.5 Lamp problems

There can be up to 128 CPU controlled lamps in two seperate 8x8 matrices called A and B. The lamp columns are driven by VN02N solid state relais and the rows by STP20N10L MOSFET's. The MOSFETS are more likely to fail then the solid state relays. Whenever you have a locked on lamp row it is likely to be a failing MOSFET driving that row but it can also be the 74LS74 driving the MOSFET. Check pin 1 (most left pin) of the MOSFET for a signal while the pin is flashing all lamps. Suspect the 74LS74 driving the MOSFET when there's no signal (permanent 0V or 5V) on pin 1 of the MOSFET. If the signal seems good you can check for ground on pin 3 (most right) of the MOSFET, if the ground is good as well you probably have a defect MOSFET.

In case of a defect STP20N10L MOSFET, this part is getting scarce but it can be replaced by the IRL540N which is readily available. Do NOT use the IRF540N instead! Please note that these MOSFETS are quite sensitive to static electricity.

4.6 Switch problems

In general switch matrix problem resolution is similar to other brands of pinballs but for a part it's a bit easier to work on, unfortunately for the bigger part it's harder to work on. Because of the discrete wiring from the switch matrix board to the switches and the diodes mounted on the board there aren't any diodes on the switches so it's impossible to put the wire on the wrong side of the diode when replacing a switch. However, the wires to the switches are quite thin and are known to break easily, the switch matrix board is mounted very low in the backbox and it's position doesn't make it easy to reach when diagnosing, the LM339's on the switch board are SMD (surface mounted) and sometimes their solder joints crack causing bad contacts.

4.7 Display problems

The display power supply board is based on a switching power supply built around an LT1271CT switching regulator from Linear Technology and a transformer. There are little parts to fail on this power supply. Problems can occur due to cracked solder joints but it rarely ever happens. Although unlikely to fail the LT1271CT is still available but it seems to be getting scarce.

A service bulletin (95-017a) regarding Pinball Magic was issued about the display power supply to solve some issues. The originally used 1N4936 rectifier diodes on D4, D5 and D6 are too slow and need to be replaced by faster rectifier diodes (Motorola MUR160). Capacitor C6 should be removed. Resistor R6 should be changed from 47k 1/2W to 15k 1W.

The service bulletin is available on IPDB: [1]

5 Game Specific Problems and Fixes

Capcom used tiny connectors to the ball trough opto boards. Carefully wrap a small cable tie around it and it stays put better.

Capcom also used too fine a wire for switches. Easy to have one break off, which in turn can make that switch and others not work. First thing to check for when a switch doesn't work.

6 Repair Logs

Did you do a repair? Log it here as a possible solution for others.