Demolition Man Claw Problem

[shredso]

I'm looking to buy a Demolition Man pin fairly cheap ($750).  I haven't seen it in person because its a bit of a drive but he said the claw works when it wants to.  What is the worst case scenario of an intermittent problem?  I havent played the game in awhile but it looks like some sort of magnetic motorized ball grabber.

[LLUncoolJ]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=91296.0

These things can be a mystery.

[shredso]

Wow, that sounds like a headache.  Do you think the machine is worth $750 with that problem?  Also, I'm assuming the claw is crucial to completing game modes and not just a novelty?  I remember seeing it years ago at an arcade but very vaguely remember the gameplay.  Maybe I can load it up in virtual pinball.  Except it always takes me hours to get that damn program to work!

[LLUncoolJ]

You could PM Flake, he is my step bro. He said the game is functional w/o the claw. I think you just don't get to choose which mode to go into. I've only played it a couple of times w/o the claw, and never with, so I don't really have a frame of reference. I will say it is a fun, fast game with a lot of shots.

[Flake]

The claw is not required for game play.  You can turn it off in the menu settings.  Many people on RGP actually think the claw feature is a drain on the game and slows it down.

That being said, I prefer the claw to work.  There are a slew of potential fixes on RGP.  You would have to be more specific about it "works when it wants to".  Sounds like it could be a bad connection on the fliptronics board in which case you might need to resolder some connections or replace the molex connectors on the pin (I'm reciting from memory of my issue and am no expert - please seek more sound advice).  It potentiall could also be a bad opto switch.  The optos for the claw are in a tought spot, you almost have to take off all the ramps to get to them.  Again there is lots of info on RGP. 

But for $750, if the game is in otherwise decent shape I say its well worth it.

[shredso]

Ok, I got the game home.  I'm not sure if this is the same problem the guy was having but the claw seems to work fine.  The problem I'm having is after the claw drops the ball it gets stuck in that little finger and wont come down the ramp.  I'm gonna check the angle of the machine, maybe it's too flat.  Seems to be in otherwise great shape for the price though.

[Flake]

I remember reading about some guy on RGP having this same problem with his ramp.   You might try checking there for a solution.  I cant remember what his specific problem/fix was.

[shredso]

When people talk about RGP are they talking about this?
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.pinball/topics
I searched there and didn't see anything about my problem, do you have a link?  I'm wondering if one of the ramps wasn't quite put on right, they seem to have a good amount of play when touching them.  I've read this machine is quite a ---smurfette--- to take apart and reassemble, have you taken yours apart?  I wanted to give it a good cleaning along with new rubbers and it looks like to do anything I really need to take the ramps off.

[Flake]

I was going to attempt it at one point but shortly after I started I stopped because I had that creepy feeling I was about to really ---fudgesicle--- something up.  I dont have much experience with repairing pinball machines and this one in particular would be a bad one to start with.

But to answer your question, yes if you want to get down to the claw mech I believe you have to take off the ramps.

There actually is shop guide for a DM someone put together on RGP.  I just tried looking for it real quick but it didnt come up.....sometimes I have a really hard problem searching in that forum.  I know its out there though.  It should guide you in removing the ramps.

[Flake]

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.pinball/browse_thread/thread/d619bb043b4f7077/abd4780b385e6292?lnk=gst&q=demo+man+claw#abd4780b385e6292

I finally found the ramp removal guide from RGP.  Hope it helps.

[shredso]

Thanks!  Maybe I'm missing something with the search. I went through every post with demolition man, DM, Demo Man, etc and didn't see that.  I still haven't figured out that ramp diverter, I'm still hoping it's because its the wrong coil.