Handle stuck in down position

[smileman83]

My handle is stuck in down position and I have read here about the solenoid and the locking mech. Jim said the best way is to remove the bill container and get access but I dont understand how to remove the bill mechanism. The cash box come out easily but dont see any screws or anything that holds the outerr box to cab. If I can get this out Ill post some pics and well see if we can get it working. I tried moving the plunger manually up but still would no unlock the handle and its not easy to get behind the cash box part

Thanks in advance,

Bruce

[Stayouttadabunker]

You need to show us a photo of your BV (Bill Validator).
There are several different models.
I can make a quick video for you, on how to remove the BV from your cabinet.

[hotlsot]

This is not a handle coil problem. There is a cam on the back side of the handle assembly that has no purpose other than to make a clicking sound when you pull the handle and get gummed up and lock the handle in the down position when the grease gets tacky.

[Stayouttadabunker]

Yep...also, there's a pad that likes to...uh...melt!
It often makes a gooey mess and the pawl won't release the handle mech to bounce back up to the top.
Sometimes it's completely gone, and the pawl cannot reach a cutout, to rotate the handle return pawl.

Here is a brief video I made on how a handle mech works...>>>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DqBrt63_1cE?si=OSssfOqyNCF0DMBT" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

But first you have to take out the BV unit.
I don't know how mechanically-inclined you are smileman.
It's not that hard to do, you just have to be patient.
This is a hobby, not a job....haha
Here's a link to a quick explanation I made on how to remove an MEI Cashflow BV unit...>>>
https://www.youtube.com/embed/mzG0BH1kYjs

If you want me to make a quick video on how to strip out a different model  BV, let me know.

[smileman83]

Here are the inside pics of the cash box and behind and the locking mech

[Stayouttadabunker]

That ones just a little different from the MEI BV....you have a JCM BV.
There's one or two small screws on the back wall INSIDE the cashbox area you have to remove in order to take out the validator bracket.
Only then you can start to remove the screws or nuts holding the exterior BV enclosure to the wall.
Thee will still be that onescrew attaching the enclosure to the reel shelf.
Then you undo the harnesses and pull it all outta there.

Uploading a short video I just made for you, from a machine on a live casino floor...lol
I'm trying to show you that there's a couple of small Phillips screws that hold the bracket inside the BV enclosure.
Once you get that bracket out, then you can remove the enclosure from the cabinet wall.

Here's the link from my youtube channel...>>>

https://youtu.be/pALoP4groZ4?si=MHl76arBZVDAkCDm

[smileman83]

Okay got the cash box out and i see the coil on the back. There is asmall metal piece below the coil that when i push it releases the handle back up, but as soom as you start a game and pull the handle it gets stuck back in the down position until you open cabinet and push that release piece. I can push it up; and down and it doesnt move super freely like it may be gunked up. Does this mean i ned to remove the whole assembly and clean ? IS there a coil that also pushes that release that isnt functioning? Tnanks for te help getting to it. Now what?

[hotlsot]

typically a handle that won't pull is the coil. A handle stuck in the down position is the cam.

[smileman83]

It pulls fine so must be the cam. If someone can directme to cleaning or repairing cam

[smileman83]

Thanks all- found the video on youtube to get the handle mech out and it was a lubrication issue. Funny how at 67 lubrication issues seem to part of my new world order-lol

[Stayouttadabunker]

Could you show us the bumper material inside of it?
It's usually like a  black rubber, but sometimes it's some orange material.
If it's turned soft and gooey, you'll need to replace it with something about a 1/4" to 5/16th" in thickness.
I prefer using a piece of thick harness leather glued in there, but people have used other stuff.
If there's nothing in there, the curved, hooked latch part goes too far, and won't grab to release the cam without the bumper material.
You'll see what I mean as you turn the handle slowly and watch how it works.