Cosmic Gunfight (Williams, 1982): common faults and System 7 replacement boards
Does your Williams Cosmic Gunfight have its drop targets down, fail to boot, reset or have no sound? These symptoms are typical of Williams System 7 pinball machines, whose original boards (MPU, Driver, power supply) are now over 40 years old. The good news: the WillFA7 replacement board, Plug & Play and battery-free, brings your machine back to life.
Cosmic Gunfight (Williams, 1982): overview
Released in June 1982, Cosmic Gunfight is a Williams System 7 pinball machine on a space-western theme, featuring 2-ball multiball, lane change and three banks of drop targets. Designed by Barry Oursler (a project first named 'Dragon Fly'), it had a production run of about 1,008 units.
- Manufacturer: Williams
- Year: 1982
- Electronic system: Williams System 7
- Type: solid-state pinball, 2-ball multiball, lane change
- Theme: space western / science fiction
Common faults (System 7)
On Williams System 3 to 7, the recurring faults come from ageing: leaking NiCad battery on the MPU (corrosion, the No. 1 cause of dead boards), worn 40-pin MPU↔Driver connector (the best-known weak point), resets/reboots on a 5 V drop (power headers and connectors to be resoldered), tired power-supply capacitors, displays with missing segments, and a solenoid fuse that blows (slingshot or stuck bumper).
Issues specific to Cosmic Gunfight (forum feedback)
- Drop-target bank that no longer resets: the plunger or fork that lifts the three targets is often broken or missing, and the part is hard to find.
- Individual drop targets not scoring: target switches to clean or adjust.
- 2-ball multiball won't start: lock and trough switches to check.
- Lane change inoperative: lane switches or logic to check.
- Resets or no boot: corroded battery and worn 40-pin connector, typical of System 7.
- No sound: System 7 sound board to be diagnosed (Sound Select signals on the MPU side).
Replacement boards compatible with Cosmic Gunfight
- WillFA7 — 2-in-1 board (MPU + Driver) compatible with System 3 to 7, System 7 included.
📚 Further reading: Guide: which board for a Williams System 3 to 7?
The WillFA7 replaces the original MPU and Driver board (boot-up, logic resets, coil and multiball driving, battery-free memory) and removes the fragile 40-pin ribbon. The sound board and the drop-target mechanisms must still be maintained separately; our support team will guide you.
Plug & Play installation, battery-free, free tutorials and support. Contact us.
FAQ — Cosmic Gunfight Williams
My Cosmic Gunfight's drop targets no longer reset.
Often the plunger or fork that lifts the bank of three targets is broken or missing; also check the reset coil and switches. The WillFA7 makes coil driving reliable.
My Cosmic Gunfight won't boot or resets.
A corroded original battery and worn 40-pin connector are the No. 1 causes. The WillFA7 replaces the MPU and Driver and boots without a battery.
Is the WillFA7 compatible with System 7?
Yes. It covers System 3 to 7, System 7 included, and drives the logic, multiball and coils.
Should I keep the original battery?
No. The WillFA7 works without a battery and removes the No. 1 cause of corrosion on System 7.
