Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Gottlieb, 1978): Troubleshooting and System 1 Replacement Boards
Is your Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Gottlieb, 1978) tilts at startup, has dead displays, or blows a fuse under the playfield? This widebody Gottlieb pinball machine runs on the System 1. Here are the typical issues reported on forums and the battery-free replacement solutions.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Gottlieb, 1978): Overview
Released in 1978, Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a widebody solid-state Gottlieb System 1 pinball machine inspired by the Steven Spielberg film, featuring a roto-target.
- Manufacturer: Gottlieb
- Year: 1978
- Electronic system: Gottlieb System 1
- Type: solid state, widebody, alphanumeric displays
- Theme: science fiction, UFOs, Close Encounters film
Common Issues (System 1)
The Gottlieb System 1 shares a well-known set of weaknesses regardless of the game:
- Leaking battery: the NiCad battery soldered to the MPU board corrodes traces and components over time. This is the #1 failure — remove it immediately.
- Poor grounds: the original ground wiring is undersized and causes resets and erratic behavior (ground mods are virtually mandatory).
- Corroded connectors: Molex connectors, especially the 46-pin MPU-to-driver connection, lose contact and require re-pinning.
- Power supply: unstable 5V, tired rectifier bridges, and overheating transformers cause crashes.
- Displays: digits that fade, flicker, or freeze at zero.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind-Specific Issues (Forum Reports)
- Tilts at startup: the tilt relay triggers on every power-up (lamps off, flippers dead); holding it engaged allows the game to start — a sign of a tilt and ground defect to fix.
- Dead displays even after CPU replacement: check the power supply and display connectors before blaming the board.
- L-bracket power supply: the 5V section is problematic; the 5V ballast transistor mounted on the rear of the bracket often has failing solder joints that need re-flowing.
- Wrong reset coil: installing a 3-4 target bank coil instead of the correct 5-target coil can burn the U1 chip on reset.
- Blown fuses under the playfield: prevent the ball kicker from working at the start of the game.
- Stubborn boot failures: some machines refuse to start even after ground mods, re-pinning, slam switch bypass, and power cap replacement — also check the roto-target and sound board.
Compatible Replacement Boards for Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind runs on the Gottlieb System 1, a platform known for its fragility (leaking battery, weak grounds, corroded connectors). Pinballs Store offers battery-free replacement solutions:
- Gosof — replacement sound board.
For a dedicated System 1 CPU/driver board, contact us: we'll point you to the best solution for your Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Plug & Play installation, battery-free, with free support.
FAQ — Close Encounters of the Third Kind Gottlieb
Why does my Close Encounters tilt at startup?
The tilt relay triggers on power-up: check the tilt mechanism, grounds, and connectors. A replacement board and ground mods provide a lasting startup fix.
Do I need to remove the original battery?
Yes, immediately. The original NiCad battery will eventually leak and destroy the board. A battery-free replacement board permanently eliminates this risk.
Is there a replacement board for Close Encounters?
Yes. Contact us for the System 1 CPU/driver solution that fits; installation is Plug & Play, battery-free, with free support.
How long does installation take?
Installation is Plug & Play: just a few minutes, no soldering required, with tutorials and free support.
Does a battery-free board retain settings and high scores?
Yes. Modern replacement boards use NVRAM: no battery, no corrosion, and settings are preserved when powered off.
Step-by-Step Diagnostics
- With power off, visual inspection: look for any signs of battery leakage or corrosion on the MPU of your Close Encounters of the Third Kind; remove the NiCad battery if still present.
- Power supply: measure the 5V rail and verify it reaches the MPU (re-solder the voltage regulator or Q1 if voltage drops).
- Grounds: apply ground mods between the boards (CPU, driver, power supply, sound).
- Connectors: re-pin oxidized Molex connectors, especially the MPU-to-driver board connection.
- Displays: never connect or disconnect a display while powered on; test with a known good display.
- Final test: verify startup, credits, solenoids, and displays; if needed, contact free support.
See Also
- Cleopatra (Gottlieb, 1977)
- Sinbad (Gottlieb, 1978)
- Pinball Pool (Gottlieb, 1979)
- Genie (Gottlieb, 1979)
