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The Walking Dead Erratic Crossbow Fix

Vimtoman

Vimtoman

Registered
5Years
Joined
Sep 29, 2018
Messages
1,500
Location
Wales
My Crossbow was a real pain and moving erratically.
I had a replacement motor but it did not cure the problem.
As I had two I decided to take one apart to see what the issue was.
The gearing looked solid but the coil was pretty loose. You can tell by just moving the lead on your to see if its loose.
By bending the prongs internally that place pressure on the internal coil fixed the problem.
I did end up adding some spots of adhesive on the base of the coil to make sure it does not move again :)

To take apart use a screwdriver to lever the lid off.
Start at the cable end. It's glued but does come off.
Just inch around the base of the cap bit by bit to raise the cap.
motor 1.JPG
There are three parts so its a pretty simple design. Just the movement of the coil effects the rotor.
I placed the coil back into the same way but probably does not make any difference.
The cable does have a plastic clip which I placed down.
motor 2.JPG
Lever all the tags out slightly ,so spreading out.
Careful not to over do it as they have to allow the coil to go back on.
Do the same on the cap.
Check that the coil and cap fits.
If you dont want to glue just check that the cable does not wiggle and your good to go.

I placed some Araldite on the base internally so that the coil stuck in firm.
Push the coil in and press firmly and allow to dry.
Using a quick set Araldite speeds things up.

motor 3.JPG

Once back together it will run smooth with no judder or change of direction.
 
Last edited:
Hi all, recently managed to obtain a TWD Premium and it has an intermittent issue with the crossbow;

Sometimes all works as it should, but sometimes I get one of the following issues:

Mech/crossbow start moving clockwise, but then it automatically fores before I press the fire button.

The crossbow gets to about a third of it's full movement, but then returns back to it's resting position with the ball still inside. Then it either comes back out a bit and it launches the ball at the left sling (ball whacks bounces and whacks the glass:-), or it launches the ball near the middle (think on its own, but I'll pressing the button at this point)

I'd like to understand how the switches/mech works to try and understand what the problem/fix might be?
There's a switch which is triggered upon the ball entering the crossbow trough/mech, this must then tell the mech to start moving through its semicircle/90 degree movement. Could it be there's something happening with the initial switch which is confusing the mech and telling it not to release the ball? Or could it be the switch where the motor is causing the issue?
I went in to the test menu and I'm not sure what it's testing/confirming?; first press, it moved to about a 3rd of the way, then 2nd press it moves the rest of the way, then back to rest position.

I'll take the apron off and take a vid later hopefully.
Thanks all; brilliant game, which would be even better if I could iron out this issue (thought I'd ask in this thread, as wasn't sure if the fix posted above related to the same issue I have)
 
When I had the issue a few years ago I found that the motor was the main issue.
I looked at switches like everyone else but nothing sorted out the erratic change of direction.
I found the one switch issue which was the cam switch that was mounted too close and bending the lever too much but that had nothing to do with the direction problem.

I ended up buying a new motor and found that was the reason for the problem.
Opening up the original I found that the loose coil and alignment to the teeth on the base and cap was the problem.

So advice would be take the top off your motor.
Center and fix the coil to its base.
Centering as in its cable outlet to the bases slot.
Then bend the slots on the top straight and pop that on so that it fits the coil cable outlet.

I do have a motor already set in a box somewhere but with no connectors.

The other thing.
If you've had new plastic protectors added make sure the crossbow does not foul on them.
 
My crossbow has the exact same problem, only it does work 50% of the time. I removed the apron and spent some time testing the three switches and couldn’t find anything amiss so have just put up with it for a few years now!

But after what vimtoman has posted above about the motor I might have to have another look.
 
The crossbow had a known issue when the games first came out. Stern issued a new loom which solved the problems with erratic movement and random firing.

Before taking stuff apart I’d check that the replacement loom kit has been installed.
 
Vimtoman said:
When I had the issue a few years ago I found that the motor was the main issue.
I looked at switches like everyone else but nothing sorted out the erratic change of direction.
I found the one switch issue which was the cam switch that was mounted too close and bending the lever too much but that had nothing to do with the direction problem.

I ended up buying a new motor and found that was the reason for the problem.
Opening up the original I found that the loose coil and alignment to the teeth on the base and cap was the problem.

So advice would be take the top off your motor.
Center and fix the coil to its base.
Centering as in its cable outlet to the bases slot.
Then bend the slots on the top straight and pop that on so that it fits the coil cable outlet.

I do have a motor already set in a box somewhere but with no connectors.

The other thing.
If you've had new plastic protectors added make sure the crossbow does not foul on them.
Click to expand...
Many thanks for the quick response mate! Will have a look inside the motor when I get the chance 👍🏻
Will consult the manual, but looks like a simple un-clip from connector (once relevant screws are removed) to take out the mech, so doesn't seem any harm in does as you suggest, even if it turns out to be a harness issue.
 
johnwhitfield said:
The crossbow had a known issue when the games first came out. Stern issued a new loom which solved the problems with erratic movement and random firing.

Before taking stuff apart I’d check that the replacement loom kit has been installed.
Click to expand...
Thanks John; is there a way to tell if I have the newer harness or not?
AFAIK, the premiums were made after the LEs, as originally there were only Pros and LE's, so maybe a good chance that premiums have the newer harness?
 
The loom is a really long black and red cable stretching from the back of the playfield to the front of the cabinet.
Im guessing my the lose wire still cable tied was the original wiring.
IMG_4295.webp
 
johnwhitfield said:
The loom is a really long black and red cable stretching from the back of the playfield to the front of the cabinet.
Im guessing my the lose wire still cable tied was the original wiring.
View attachment 261380
Click to expand...
I'll check tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure that's what I have, as earlier this evening I un/re-plugged that connector in and remember it being the white connector, rather than the see-through one cable tied in your pic 👍🏻
I also moved the outlane posts in today (ball ache, as to do that had to unscrew and move the left and right plastic ramps out of the way), as I was getting so many outlane drains off of the slings etc I was getting really mad 😄
Can handle drains when I fluff a shot (the game has to be one of the most punishing games!), but when I'm playing well and still getting cheap drains it's less fun (but even then, somehow I can't help but press the start button again for further punishment - some of the NSFW Negan callouts really rub it in too he he)
 
Den - aka Wolfgang said:
I'll check tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure that's what I have, as earlier this evening I un/re-plugged that connector in and remember it being the white connector, rather than the see-through one cable tied in your pic 👍🏻
I also moved the outlane posts in today (ball ache, as to do that had to unscrew and move the left and right plastic ramps out of the way), as I was getting so many outlane drains off of the slings etc I was getting really mad 😄
Can handle drains when I fluff a shot (the game has to be one of the most punishing games!), but when I'm playing well and still getting cheap drains it's less fun (but even then, somehow I can't help but press the start button again for further punishment - some of the NSFW Negan callouts really rub it in too he he)
Click to expand...

This might be what your looking for.

Save post for TWD | All modding! | Pinside.com

| Forum Topic by yoyokopter
pinside.com pinside.com
 
Update; don't want to speak too soon, but looks like I sorted it; thanks so much @Vimtoman !
Have only been able to test it 3 times so far (neighbours next door had a baby recently so trying to keep the noise down tonight) - motion looks very smooth and didn't shoot the ball without me pressing*

*tried just leaving it; crossbow went all the way out and back. Rested briefly, then swung back out and auto launched towards the prison 👍🏻, which I believe is normal behaviour.

Was surprisingly easy to do; didn't even need to disconnect any wires or remove the motor from the game (seems glued doen hard)- just unlocked the spring and removed the small screw from the centre of the gear (?) underneath (be carefully with that screw; it's short and appears it could break if forced)
When moving the tags out a bit I moved them a bit too far at first (coil wouldn't go back in - should've paid more attention)- so not to damage the wheel in the middle, I used one of those tiny screwdriver ends.
Glad I took a pic before I disassembled, as for a while I p'd about trying to put the arm back on in the wrong manner.

Also checked; looks like my machine has the newer harness 👍🏻

Next job will be to adjust the popper sensitivity/clean switch contacts (not sensitive emough) and possibly adjust sensitivity of the prison Zombie head (takes a fairly precise shot to register; not sure if that's normal)

Also want to install a bycicle girl light; any recommendations (guy on ebay sells, but seems a bit overpriced and not sure of it's an alligator clip job)- so silly that Stern doesn't have that included; can't see the head it's so dark!

Not sure if there are any other "must have" mods to get? (Not looking to go cray cray on it)

Sod's law; during testing I completed ARENA for the first time, but drained on purpose to switch it off before I annoyed next door.1000019985.webp
1000019984.webp
 
Thought I would post as after much time spent messing with motor, switches, spring tension, adding a washer etc this is what finally solved my crossbow problem:

IMG_5073.webp

Seems that Lyman added this in his last code update to help solve the issue.
Default setting was 750 (I assume milliseconds?) so I tried doubling but still not good so ramped it up to 4000 and works perfectly now.

My motor was pausing and reversing or stopping at the point where the spring that pulls the crossbow into home position was at maximum tension so considered buying a new motor for £60, assumed the current one not quite strong enough but then spotted this adjustment from an old post on pinside.
I did try the motor fix suggested above but didn’t help in my case.


I notice that my pin has the original power cable to led board as a post above suggests that is the problem but the only issue I can see that causing is the leds flashing madly?Reseating the connector cures that, think I will hot glue it to hold it in place. Can’t see how the led board power cable could affect the crossbow but maybe I’m missing something?
 
The power cable causing the LED’s flashing goes brown with heat as not tight enough probably, nothing to do with the crossbow.
Mine had the new improved power cable but still had the odd crossbow issue, looked at the micro switches and adjusted etc which mostly sorted it.
Never knew there was a setting in the menu, shame I sold it. One of the few games I would like back here, had an LE😏
 
Yeah the vibrations cause the bad connection on the power cable to the led board, the new connector is the type that clips in, whereas the old type slowly slides off.

I’ve had my LE from new and still love it, Lyman really turned the code around as it was poor at first. Still haven’t achieved crossbow frenzy, last man standing or terminus, keeps me coming back.
 
mark9 said:
Thought I would post as after much time spent messing with motor, switches, spring tension, adding a washer etc this is what finally solved my crossbow problem:

View attachment 262669

Seems that Lyman added this in his last code update to help solve the issue.
Default setting was 750 (I assume milliseconds?) so I tried doubling but still not good so ramped it up to 4000 and works perfectly now.

My motor was pausing and reversing or stopping at the point where the spring that pulls the crossbow into home position was at maximum tension so considered buying a new motor for £60, assumed the current one not quite strong enough but then spotted this adjustment from an old post on pinside.
I did try the motor fix suggested above but didn’t help in my case.


I notice that my pin has the original power cable to led board as a post above suggests that is the problem but the only issue I can see that causing is the leds flashing madly?Reseating the connector cures that, think I will hot glue it to hold it in place. Can’t see how the led board power cable could affect the crossbow but maybe I’m missing something?
Click to expand...
Glad you sorted it out 👍🏻
Makes such a difference when you can just play without just watching for issues.
I was aware of that timing setting, but didn't really make any difference for me, but mine's been rock solid since I carried out @Vimtoman 's fix.
Such a great game - I'd played it loads of the years, but until I got one I never really noticed the drop targets/how they tied in to the game :)
Has 2 of the best spiners in a modern game I think, partly because of the bright white lights near them. Right spinner is cool because it ads to the satisfaction of hitting the Woodbury shot 👍🏻
 
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