Bally 873 Jackpot reset not working, after hitting largest Jackpot

[Amechanic]

I have a friend that has a Bally 873 five line machine.. After playing it for over a year they finally hit the largest jackpot, all 7's on the 5th pay line.. The lights all started flashing as they should, but the problem is that the machine didn't reset after using the reset switch? They said they heard a click, but the lights stayed flashing, and it won't accept coins? I was wondering if manually cycling the machine by holding the lever on top of the handles gearbox would help reset it? OldReno I need you advice.. 

Thanks, Gary

[off-track]

Not sure if this is the same but, that was the exact scenario when I picked up mine at auction. The staff had been playing it the night before, hit 5 X 777 and it shut down.  They thought that it was broken so I got it for a song.

Mine didn't show the red reset light and the reset bar seemed to stick a little.  Pulled the hopper and exercised the switch a few times.  We then pulled the reel mechanism and cycled it manually and the reels worked as they should.  Put the hopper and reel mechanism back in and it worked just fine.   

[Amechanic]

It's not the safety timer behind the hopper. If it was the machine would seem dead. This one still thinks its in jackpot mode? The light are flashing on the top box.

[Jon]

when you hit the reset key The Click you hear should be the coin reject solenoid while holding the key on you insert coin that should reset the machine it will continue making noise till you pull the handle

[Jon]

I guess I forgot to answer your question this is the right way to reset the machine yes you can hold that lever pull the handle and it will auto reset or you can just open the door and flipped the coin switch and it will reset

[OldReno]

The only 'real' thing that the machine does during jackpots (other than blinky lights and bells and whistles) is that the coin lockout coil is de-energied.
That means the machine will not take any coins.  This was installed so that the lucky player did not 'accidentally' play off his/her jackpot.
A jackpot means a hand pay of currency is owed.
Normally the key or change person has a reset key, and while they insert and hold the key turned, the attendant will ask the customer to insert another coin, and play off the jackpot. As soon as coin is inserted the reset key can be turned off and removed.
In lieu of that the operator can either open the door and push down on the coin in switch, or as mentioned just hold the handle toggle and pull handle.
Normally I would wait until customer inserted coin and then say,
"Ok, this is a pull it sir prize.
Pull it sir..."
(I know, I know...ewwww bad pun)

[Amechanic]

Thanks Jon & OldReno.   I thought it was that simple, but since I've never hit the big one, I've never tried to rest one.. I'll call my friend and talk him thru the reset.

Gary

[OldReno]

It's real easy to set up a jackpot.
Coin machine, pull the handle (door open) stop the clock fan with your left hand, and then roll the reels until your jackpot pay comes up. release fan after last reel symbol is up.
Then quickly push the variator arm back fully (it runs the clock), and then you have enough time to close and lock the door.
Then you can check pay and see if the machine locks out the next coin in.
If so, it's working ok.

[Paul]

Isn't that when your supposed to ship that slot to
some else so they can fix it and play till the next jackpot?

[RiseLikeRa]

Then quickly push the variator arm back fully (it runs the clock), and then you have enough time to close and lock the door.

Reno you must have had reflexes like a cat in your hay days!  You probably did all of this while dealing a deck of cards, pouring a drink, and completing your tax forms! 

[Amechanic]

It's real easy to set up a jackpot.
Coin machine, pull the handle (door open) stop the clock fan with your left hand, and then roll the reels until your jackpot pay comes up. release fan after last reel symbol is up.
Then quickly push the variator arm back fully (it runs the clock), and then you have enough time to close and lock the door.
Then you can check pay and see if the machine locks out the next coin in.
If so, it's working ok.

I have done this before, but I didn't mess with a rest key or switch. I just manually spun the reels while holding the lever on the top of the handle gearbox. The clicking sound threw me off track. It would have been my luck if I were older and been able to play the EM in a casino, and hit a large JP that without the coin rejector feature I'd spin again and lost the JP...    Thanks for the explanation on the operation of the JP reset switch.. 

Gary