New Life Games LLC
**Reel Slots** Gaming Machines => IGT S and S-plus Reel Games => Topic started by: jlreispro on May 30, 2022, 08:00:48 PM
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Good day to everyone.
I am a first time slot machine owner and purchased one that was not working. After some very minor repairs, the machine was playing. After a ten coin payout came up and it spit out 2 coins, a 3300 code appeared. Opened the door and checked the hopper (coins present) and found a jammed coin in between the halves of the plastic bucket. Got it cleared, put it all back, shut door and the code stayed. I ran test number 3 to have it output 10 coins and that works - sort of. Completely disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled the hopper only to figure out the coin counter switch works fine but the knife and wiper are not making correct contact after adjustment. Ordered new of each but that doesn't seem to be creating the 3300 error. One other thought I had was to cheat the door sensor so I could watch but the hopper does not turn when the door is shut, only during a test. This is officially where I ran out of ideas.
I've seen posts about people using a clear chip but one of the warning messages by the folks who know way more than me was not to ever use it. Are there any other tests I can use or other adjustments I can make? My machine also does not have the attendant key but a push button on the side by the arm. Would an attendant switch make a difference here?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks and have an awesome week,
Justin
IGT S-Plus: 3342-0872
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Hi Justin,
Welcome to the site.
:NLG_WELCOME:
A 3300 error is a "Hopper Empty" error on an IGT S+ machine. Basically, the machine will throw that error if it is attempting to dispense coins from the hopper and no coins have passed through the coin-out optic on the hopper within about ten seconds. Typically this would be due to a lack of coins in the hopper, although as you discovered it can also happen if there's an issue with the knife and coins aren't being dispensed out of the machine even if the hopper isn't actually empty.
The typical resolution of this error is to refill the hopper (or fix the knife issue in your case), close and fully latch the door, and the machine should attempt to resume the payout that was in progress. Once it has successfully paid out every coin owed to the player, it will be ready for play again.
I'm not 100% clear on whether you repaired your hopper issue or not based on your message. You said it "works - sort of".
With the 3300 error on the screen, if you close and fully latch the door the 3300 code should disappear from the display (at least for a little while until the machine thinks the hopper is empty again), and you should hear the hopper spinning and attempting to pay out the remaining coins owed. You can remove the coin tray prior to closing the door and the machine will still allow you to close the door -- that will allow you to better hear the hopper and what it's doing or not doing. If the 3300 code does not disappear from the display upon closing and latching the door, the machine is not sensing that the door is closed and will not do anything until it has sensed that the door is closed.
As far as the door optics, I am not a big fan of bypassing them. You can if you need to, but I prefer to leave them hooked up and working normally as it just adds additional complications and failure points in my opinion if you bypass them.
As far as your jackpot reset keyswitch just being a simple doorbell button, that's not an issue. All the real jackpot reset keyswitch does is momentarily close the circuit of the two wires that go to the keyswitch when the key is turned. A pushbutton would accomplish the same result.
The RAM clear chip is frowned upon because folks tend to want to use it as a first attempt to "fix everything" rather than addressing the actual problem. For folks who have an otherwise functioning machine, using the RAM clear chip just serves to reset every setting that had already been configured, and it also disables the dollar bill validator (if equipped). As such, we tell folks not to use the clear chip because for the average homeowner it can cause more problems than they expected, and folks can accidentally damage their boards in the removal, EPROM installation, and insertion process. In short, yes, a RAM clear can fix some issues, but generally fixing the actual problem is a better solution.
In your case, if you ran a RAM clear, it would indeed clear out the issue of the machine trying to pay out and your game would be functional again (but you'd have to re-enable the bill validator if you have one). However, you'll just run into the same issue again the next time the machine tries to pay out, until you actually fix the hopper.
If you're able to, a great diagnostic tool for us who aren't there seeing your machine and what it's doing or not doing is to take a video on your phone, and upload it to YouTube and post a link here. Then we can see exactly what's happening and give some suggestions. You don't have to do that, but it can certainly be helpful to get some extra sets of eyes on what your machine is doing.
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Thank you for the explanation and ideas.
I did get the hopper cleared. What I did not get was it to dispense correctly. The motor will turn and the pinwheel picks up coins but between the knife and the wiper, coins are not being properly dispensed. I ordered new ones but they won't be here until week's end. When I run test three, I can manually actuate the coin detection switch to make it think it releases all ten coins if it keeps spinning but not ejecting all the coins.
The part I don't quite understand is that the machine used to self-test the hopper. Once this message came up, I can close the door after powering up but I only hear the bill validator going through exercises. Latch down should be the only requirement to make sure the door is closed as I did not see any lock sensor.
I will shoot a video and post the link a little later per your suggestion.
Again, thank you for the wonderful information and help.
Cheers,
Justin
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Good day, again.
Progress! It seems part of the self test issue is the bill validator door, which sits off to the side of this machine. The door was apparently not closed fully (lock is broken). When I was closing everything up and clearing things out of the way, I must have moved the door enough to make it fall back open. Closed it tight and viola, the machine when through wheel spin back to the last payout and spun the hopper. No coins came out but progress.
Now I just need to get the hopper parts and get it adjust correctly and see if that can clear the 3300. The repair manual has the wiper adjustments for a pinwheel style hopper but nothing for the knife. Any recommendations on the best way to get it dialed it to start kicking out quarters?
Thanks!
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Knife and optics sold at www.slotmachinerepair.com (http://www.slotmachinerepair.com)
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I have used a heat gun to re-shape the knife while waiting for the replacement
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"The repair manual has the wiper adjustments for a pinwheel style hopper but nothing for the knife. "
The knife is held by two screws.
The pointy end just rests on top of the coin shelf so coins can roll onto it.
If the knife is worn or misshapen, you can turn it over and run the top flat on some sandpaper or an emery board.
Take some pictures...let us see your knife with a coin sitting on the coin shelf just before it goes onto the knife.
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Good day, all!
I took a picture of the old knife and the replacement knife. it's hard to see in the second blurry photo but the backside of the knife had a chip out of it. Along with the wear, I think this was the problem as the machine now kicks coins out wonderfully.
As for this problem, I think that's a wrap. I still have some additional issues I want to sort out but that is for another string.
Thank you for all the help!
Justin