Repairing a Gottlieb System 80 Driver Board: Replacing a Burnt MOSFET and Decoder
Complete Guide 2026 — Specific to GottFA80_Plus & GodRi80
Did your Gottlieb System 80 driver board catch fire? Is a MOSFET or decoder burnt 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 only valid for GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80 boards. 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 exclusively concerns modern replacement boards GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80, sold on Pinballs.Store. These boards use modern SMD (surface mount device) components — AP2310 MOSFET and 74HC175D decoder — which are desoldered with a hot air station.
GottFA80_Plus / GodRi80 (this procedure ✅)
- SMD (surface mount) components
- MOSFET: AP2310 (SOT-23 package)
- Decoder: 74HC175D (SOIC package)
- Tool required: hot air station
- Rule: MOSFET Q = Lamp L + 1
Original Gottlieb System 80 driver board (different procedure ❌)
- Through-hole components — leads in holes
- Different transistors depending on the model (SCR, BJT...)
- Decoder in classic DIP package
- Tool required: 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. Necessary Equipment (GottFA80_Plus / GodRi80)
Before you begin repairing your GottFA80_Plus or GodRi80 board, gather these tools. All the equipment costs less than €50 and can be reused for future repairs.
| Tool / Component | Exact Reference | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement MOSFET | AP2310 | Amazon |
| Decoder IC | 74HC175D | Amazon |
| Solder 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 |
💡 Amazon links are for reference only. You can find AP2310 MOSFETs and 74HC175D decoders much cheaper on AliExpress if you can wait for delivery.
2. Understanding the Failure: Why Does a Lamp Stay On?
On the GottFA80_Plus and 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 becomes stuck in the "on" position — exactly like a switch that can no longer be turned off. Result: the lamp remains lit indefinitely.
The 3 symptoms of a burnt out MOSFET
- A lamp permanently lit as soon as it's connected to power
- A lamp glowing faintly continuously (partial short circuit)
- Several lamps in a group lit simultaneously or completely off → the 74HC175D decoder is also damaged
⚠️ The most common cause is a short circuit under the playfield. The failure is localized and 100% repairable without changing the entire board.
3. Identify the Defective MOSFET on the GottFA80_Plus
Consult your pinball machine's technical documentation to identify the lamp ↔ component correspondence. On the GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80, a simple rule applies:
📌 On GottFA80_Plus / GodRi80:
MOSFET number = lamp number + 1
Example: Lamp L29 → MOSFET Q30
💡 If all lamps in the same group remain lit → replace MOSFET AP2310 + 74HC175D decoder.
4. Desolder the Burnt Component with a Hot Air Station
Components on the GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80 are SMD (surface mount) — they must be desoldered with a hot air station. Original Gottlieb boards have through-hole components that require a classic soldering iron.
Optimal settings:
| Parameter | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 300°C |
| Airflow (ventilation) | Level 6 or 50% |
| Nozzle/component distance | 4 to 5 cm |
Desoldering technique
- Apply a very small drop of flux onto the component
- Hold the nozzle 4-5 cm from the component
- Make regular circles — heat the PCB, not the component directly
- Gently push with ceramic tweezers — the component slides without resistance when melted
- Remove the component and let it cool for 2-3 minutes
❌ Never force it! If it resists, the solder has not yet melted. Forcing it will tear off the PCB pads — an irreparable error.
5. Clean and Prepare the PCB
A well-cleaned PCB is the key to successful re-soldering. Pour a few drops of isopropyl alcohol on the pads and gently scrub 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 cause a short circuit.
6. Solder the New AP2310 MOSFET
Positioning and soldering the new AP2310 component on the GottFA80_Plus or GodRi80:
- Apply a tiny drop of fresh flux onto the clean pads
- Place the AP2310 MOSFET in position — check the orientation: two pins on one side and only one on the other
- Station at 300°C, ventilation level 6
- Describe circles 3-4 cm around the component
- When the solder melts, the component sinks slightly and self-centers
✅ Sign of successful soldering: The solder shines uniformly and the component is flat.
7. Check the Solder 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 ✅ |
⚠️ Gently place the probe without pressing on the component — you would mechanically create an artificial connection.
8. Test the Pinball Machine after Repair
Reassemble the playfield, insert the GottFA80_Plus or GodRi80 board, turn on the machine. The repaired lamp should turn off normally at startup. Run the lamp test menu to check everything.
🎉 If everything works: congratulations, you just repaired your board for less than €5 in parts!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Does this procedure work on the original Gottlieb driver board?
No. This procedure is exclusively valid for Pinballs.Store's GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80 boards. Original Gottlieb System 80 boards use different through-hole components, requiring 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 System 80 A/B full.
Can it be repaired without a hot air station?
No, not for the GottFA80_Plus / GodRi80 — the AP2310 and 74HC175D components are SMD and cannot be properly desoldered with a classic soldering iron. A hot air station at €25-30 is essential.
MOSFET or decoder — how to tell?
Only one lamp lit → AP2310 MOSFET only. Several lamps in a group lit at the same time → AP2310 MOSFET + 74HC175D decoder.
Can the entire board be replaced rather than repaired?
Yes, and it is recommended for very old machines. Pinballs.Store's GottFA80_Plus completely replaces the original board and makes the pinball machine much more reliable.
Where to Buy Parts
For individual components (AP2310 and 74HC175D), Amazon and AliExpress links are available in the video description. For a complete overhaul:
| Product | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| GottFA80_Plus Board | Full System 80 A/B | Pinballs.Store |
| Go Bumper Board | Electronic pop bumper board | Pinballs.Store |
🔒 By replacing both the GottFA80_Plus AND the go bumper board, your pinball machine becomes virtually indestructible electronically.
Conclusion: Repairing a GottFA80_Plus is Simple
Repairing a Gottlieb System 80 GottFA80_Plus or GodRi80 board is not intimidating. With a hot air station, a multimeter, flux, and AP2310 / 74HC175D components, you can diagnose and repair a failure in less than an hour for less than €5. Remember: this procedure does not apply to original Gottlieb driver boards.
- ⚠️ This procedure is ONLY valid for GottFA80_Plus and GodRi80
- Always consult the documentation before touching anything
- Never force when desoldering — if it resists, continue heating
- Always test with a multimeter before reassembling the board
More repair tutorials are coming soon. Questions? Contact us or visit Pinballs.Store to discover all our boards and spare parts.
Keywords: pinball repair, Gottlieb System 80, GottFA80_Plus, GodRi80, MOSFET AP2310, 74HC175D decoder, driver board, SMD, hot air station, Pinballs.Store.
