Bally Golden Nugget - Repair Advice

[tim1088]

Hello,

I am in South Florida, my family has had a Bally Gold Nugget slot machine for over 20 years and it stopped working recently. I was hoping to find a forum like this where we can do some trouble shooting or find someone close enough to maybe help out.

I really don't know anything about these machines, any advice is greatly appreciated. I'm also curious what a machine like this is realistically worth to see how much to spend to fix it.

Thank you and I appreciate your help.

[702collector]

Nice looking machine! Hopefully Wolftalk will chime in with some info and tips for repairing it. What are the issues you are having with it currently? Those electromechanical ballys are really simple to troubleshoot and work on with some guidance from the knowledgeable guys on this forum and also Newlifegames.com.

[tim1088]

It worked great for a long time, it jammed up once and ever since we just let it it there. I just don't even know where to start. It could be the most simple solution in the world or the thing is completely shot. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[702collector]

Definitely not completely shot. Most likely needs a good cleaning and some lubrication in the right spots with the right lubricant. Check out the new life games forum. I think you can look at the forum topics without being a member. There is a section specifically for the Bally electromechanicals. Tons of information there. Also two books that are extremely helpful are” The owners complete pictorial guide to the Bally EM” I think that’s the name, I will check when I get home. And the second is from Liberty bell books on the Bally EM. like I said hopefully some of the other guys that will be way more helpful then I can be will chime in.

[mazzeosa17]

702collector is correct. The names of the two books are: (1) Owner's Pictorial Guide For the Care and Understanding of The Bally Slot Machine by Robert Geddes and Daniel Mead, and (2) Bally Slot Machines-The Complete Service Manual for Electro-Mechanicals 1964-1980 by Marshall Fey via Liberty Belle Books. There's also some parts guide books out there that show the various Bally EM modules (mechanism, hopper, feature unit) and their detailed parts.

[Bally Bill]

Hello and Welcome, I don't live close to Florida, but I do have 4 EMs slots so maybe I can help you identify your issue. Your machine hit a Bar jackpot so if it ran out of coins the safety timer will shut off the machine and you just need to push in reset button.
1. Does the machine have power?
2.If you do have power do you see a red light on the bottom section behind the Coin Hopper?
3.You stated "jammed" when you add a coin does it drop into bottom tray with the power on?

[702collector]

@ mazzeosa17 thanks for clearing that up. The Liberty Belle book is available directly from them. They are old school print and fill out an order form then send them a check by mail. The price of the book is correct on the website but the shipping has changed. I believe it is now $7 for shipping. Call and ask. The other book is available at The Gamblers General Store in Vegas. It’s the cheapest place to get it. Thanks @Wolftalk for that info. @Bally Bill great observation on the jackpot. I noticed that in the picture and didn’t even think about the timer running out from lack of coins.

[tim1088]

I have the machine at my parents house, I won't be over there again to do some of this trouble shooting for a week or so but I'm diligently watching the thread and excited to try to get this working for him.

[tim1088]

I was able to do some more troubleshooting. Here are a few more details and answers to the questions asked.

I know there’s power there’s a humming noise in one light illuminated but when I insert the coin it doesn’t register. The side that has information on payouts isn't illuminating as far as I can tell.


1. Does the machine have power? -

Yes most of it lights up, just not the payout side. It makes a faint humming noise, but opening and closing the front door will eventually make that stop.

2.If you do have power do you see a red light on the bottom section behind the Coin Hopper?
No the red light is not iluminated.

3.You stated "jammed" when you add a coin does it drop into bottom tray with the power on?
Yes it drops in fine, but doesn't register anything on the screen.

[702collector]

Did it drop into the bottom tray?”payout tray” or did it go to the hopper?
Did you hear a solenoid when the coin went in?
Could be a burned out bulb behind coin accepted
Will the handle pull?
The buzzing is probably the coin acceptor.