FLIPTRONIC opto conundrum

[smartbomb2084]

Worked on a JUDGE DREDD today with a weak lower left flipper. The flipper coil was already previously replaced with a brand new one.  When the game was powered up cold, the flipper would work fine for about 20 flips.  After that, the strength of the flipper steadily weakened and the coil heated up.  I  removed and reseated the flipper fuses on the FLIPTRONIC board and checked all the connectors and didn't see any obvious problems. Put the game  in SWITCH EDGES test, held the left flipper button in and pounded on the playfield to see if our little switch matrix squares for the flipper blinked on and off upon inpact but they seemed steady.  I replaced both opto switches on the flipper switch board anyway and now life is good again.

So, if you have a weak flipper that you cant nail down try swapping the opto boards and see if the problem changes to the other side.

This wasn't my original idea. I remember reading it somewhere (pinrepair.com maybe?)  Anyway, without this info I GUARANTEE you will be chasing your tail for a long time with this type of problem.