Repairing a Gottlieb System 80 Driver Board: Replacing a Burned-Out MOSFET and Decoder
Complete 2026 Guide — Specific to GottFA80_Plus & GodRi80
Did your Gottlieb System 80 driver board catch fire? Is a MOSFET or a decoder burned out? In this complete guide, we show you how to repair your GottFA80_Plus or GodRi80 driver board yourself — by replacing an AP2310 MOSFET and/or a 74HC175D decoder.
⚠️ Important: this procedure is valid only for the GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80 boards. The original Gottlieb System 80 driver boards use different through-hole components and require a separate procedure.
- ⏱️ 30–60 minutes
- 🛠️ Beginner to intermediate
- 💶 Parts < €5
⚠️ Before You Start: GottFA80_Plus / GodRi80 vs Original Board
This procedure concerns exclusively the modern replacement boards GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80, sold on Pinballs.Store. These boards use modern SMD (surface-mount) components — AP2310 MOSFET and 74HC175D decoder — which are desoldered with a hot air station.
GottFA80_Plus / GodRi80 (this procedure ✅)
- SMD components — surface mount
- MOSFET: AP2310 (SOT-23 package)
- Decoder: 74HC175D (SOIC package)
- Required tool: hot air station
- Rule: MOSFET Q = Lamp L + 1
Original Gottlieb System 80 driver board (different procedure ❌)
- Through-hole components — leads in the holes
- Different transistors depending on the model (SCR, BJT...)
- Decoder in a classic DIP package
- Required tool: soldering iron + desoldering pump
- Different schematic and correspondences
💡 If you still have the original Gottlieb board, consult the documentation specific to your model or consider replacing it with a GottFA80_Plus to benefit from modern and reliable components.
1. Required Equipment (GottFA80_Plus / GodRi80)
Before starting the repair of your GottFA80_Plus or GodRi80 board, gather these tools. All the equipment costs less than €50 and will be useful again for future repairs.
| Tool / Component | Exact reference | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement MOSFET | AP2310 | Amazon |
| Decoder IC | 74HC175D | Amazon |
| Soldering flux | — | Amazon |
| Hot air station | — | Amazon |
| GottFA80_Plus board | Complete replacement | Pinballs.Store |
| Multimeter | — | ~€10–20 |
| Ceramic tweezers | — | ~€5–10 |
| Isopropyl alcohol | — | ~€3–5 |
| Used toothbrush | — | Free |
💡 The Amazon links are provided for guidance. You will find the AP2310 MOSFETs and the 74HC175D decoder much cheaper on AliExpress if you can wait for delivery.
2. Understanding the Fault: Why Does a Lamp Stay On?
On the GottFA80_Plus and the GodRi80, each lamp is controlled by an AP2310 MOSFET transistor in SMD mounting. This transistor acts as an electronic switch. When it fails due to a short circuit, it gets stuck in the "on" position — exactly like a switch you can no longer turn off. Result: the lamp stays on indefinitely.
The 3 symptoms of a burned-out MOSFET
- A lamp permanently lit, as soon as it is connected to power
- A lamp that glows faintly and continuously (partial short circuit)
- Several lamps in a group lit at the same time or completely off → the 74HC175D decoder is also damaged
⚠️ The most common cause is a short circuit under the playfield. The fault is localised and 100% repairable without changing the whole board.
3. Identifying the Faulty MOSFET on the GottFA80_Plus
Consult the technical documentation of your pinball machine to identify the lamp ↔ component correspondence. On the GottFA80_Plus and the GodRi80, a simple rule applies:
📌 On GottFA80_Plus / GodRi80:
The MOSFET number = the lamp number + 1
Example: Lamp L29 → MOSFET Q30
💡 If all the lamps in the same group stay lit → replace the AP2310 MOSFET + the 74HC175D decoder.
4. Desoldering the Burned-Out Component with the Hot Air Station
The components of the GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80 are SMD (surface mount) — they must be desoldered with a hot air station. The original Gottlieb boards have through-hole components that require a classic soldering iron.
Optimal settings:
| Parameter | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 300°C |
| Air flow (ventilation) | Level 6 or 50% |
| Nozzle/component distance | 4 to 5 cm |
Desoldering technique
- Place a very small drop of flux on the component
- Hold the nozzle 4-5 cm from the component
- Make regular circles — heat the PCB, not the component directly
- Push gently with the ceramic tweezers — the component slides off without resistance when it is melted
- Remove the component and let it cool for 2-3 minutes
❌ Never force it! If it resists, the solder is not yet melted. Forcing it tears the pads off the PCB — an irreparable mistake.
5. Cleaning and Preparing the PCB
A well-cleaned PCB is the key to a successful resoldering. Pour a few drops of isopropyl alcohol on the pads and rub gently with an old toothbrush. Repeat if necessary.
ℹ️ Isopropyl alcohol is not conductive. If a trace of it remains on the PCB, it will not create a short circuit.
6. Resoldering the New AP2310 MOSFET
Positioning and soldering of the new AP2310 component on the GottFA80_Plus or GodRi80:
- Place a tiny drop of fresh flux on the clean pads
- Set the AP2310 MOSFET in position — check the orientation: two leads on one side and only one on the other
- Station at 300°C, ventilation level 6
- Make circles 3-4 cm around the component
- When the solder melts, the component sinks slightly and centres itself automatically
✅ Sign that the soldering is successful: The solder shines uniformly and the component is nicely flat.
7. Checking the Soldering with a Multimeter
Set your multimeter to continuity mode (diode or speaker symbol):
| Test | Probes | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| Drain-source connection | Left pad ↔ right pad | Beep = connected ✅ |
| Pad ↔ component (each pin) | Probe on pad, probe on pin | Beep = soldered ✅ |
| Short-circuit check | Between unconnected pins | Silence ✅ |
⚠️ Place the probe delicately without pressing on the component — you would mechanically create an artificial connection.
8. Testing the Pinball Machine after Repair
Reassemble the playfield, insert the GottFA80_Plus or GodRi80 board, turn on the machine. The repaired lamp must turn off normally at startup. Launch the lamp test menu to check everything.
🎉 If everything works: congratulations, you have just repaired your board for less than €5 of parts!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Does this procedure work on the original Gottlieb driver board?
No. This procedure is exclusively valid for the GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80 boards from Pinballs.Store. The original Gottlieb System 80 boards use different through-hole components, with a classic soldering iron and a specific procedure.
What is the difference between GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80?
Both boards are modern replacements for the Gottlieb System 80. They use the same SMD components (AP2310, 74HC175D) and the same repair procedure. The GottFA80_Plus is compatible with the complete System 80 A/B.
Can you repair without a hot air station?
No, not for the GottFA80_Plus / GodRi80 — the AP2310 and 74HC175D components are SMD and cannot be desoldered correctly with a classic soldering iron. The hot air station at €25-30 is essential.
MOSFET or decoder — how do I know?
A single lamp lit → AP2310 MOSFET only. Several lamps in a group lit at the same time → AP2310 MOSFET + 74HC175D decoder.
Can you replace the entire board rather than repair it?
Yes, and it is recommended on very old machines. The GottFA80_Plus from Pinballs.Store completely replaces the original board and makes the pinball machine much more reliable.
Where to Buy the Parts
For the individual components (AP2310 and 74HC175D), the Amazon and AliExpress links are available in the video description. For a complete renovation:
| Product | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| GottFA80_Plus board | Complete System 80 A/B | Pinballs.Store |
| Go bumper board | Pop bumper electronic board | Pinballs.Store |
🔒 By replacing the GottFA80_Plus AND the go bumper board, your pinball machine becomes practically indestructible on the electronic level.
Conclusion: Repairing a GottFA80_Plus Is Simple
Repairing the GottFA80_Plus or GodRi80 board of a Gottlieb System 80 is nothing to be intimidated by. With a hot air station, a multimeter, some flux and the AP2310 / 74HC175D components, you can diagnose and repair a fault in less than an hour for less than €5. Remember: this procedure does not apply to the original Gottlieb driver boards.
- ⚠️ This procedure is ONLY valid for GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80
- Always consult the documentation before touching anything
- Never force it during desoldering — if it resists, keep heating
- Always test with the multimeter before reassembling the board
More repair tutorials are coming soon. Any questions? Contact us or visit Pinballs.Store to discover all our boards and spare parts.
Keywords: pinball repair, Gottlieb System 80, GottFA80_Plus, GodRi80, AP2310 MOSFET, 74HC175D decoder, driver board, SMD, hot air station, Pinballs.Store.
