Flash Gordon (Bally, 1981) : pannes et cartes de remplacement (MPU Bally)

June 26, 2026

Is your Flash Gordon by Bally no longer starting, has it lost its sound and voice, is the multiball silent or the coils running wild? These symptoms are typical of Bally microprocessor pinballs, whose original MPU board is now over 40 years old and almost always suffers from a leaking battery. Good news: the BallyFA replacement MPU board, Plug & Play and battery-free, gives your machine a second life.

Flash Gordon (Bally, 1981): overview

Released in February 1981 under licence from the Flash Gordon film, this Bally pinball is the brand's first multi-level playfield and the first to use the famous Squawk & Talk sound board. Featuring multiball, it uses the Bally MPU of the AS-2518 series.

Manufacturer: Bally
Year: 1981
Electronic system: Bally MPU (AS-2518)
Type: electronic pinball (solid state), multiball, multi-level
Theme: Flash Gordon / science fiction

BallyFA MPU board for Bally — Flash Gordon — The BallyFA MPU board replaces the original Bally/Stern MPU, battery-free.

Common faults (Bally / Stern)

On Bally and Stern microprocessor pinballs (1977-1985), recurring faults come from ageing: battery leaking on the MPU (corrosion of traces and sockets around U10/U11, the number-one cause of dead boards), tired PIA 6821 (U10/U11) (oxidised pins, no start-up), RAM 5101 and sockets to replace, MPU/power connectors oxidised or burnt (look for heat marks), displays with missing segments, and power/driver board (rectifier, fuses, coil transistors) to service.

Issues specific to Flash Gordon (forum feedback)

No more sound or voice: the Squawk & Talk board is diagnosed separately (ROMs, jumpers).
Temperamental multiball: lock and trough switches to check.
Battery leaked on the MPU: corrosion around U10/U11.
Dead or partial displays: display and MPU power supply to check.
Runaway or dead coils: driver board (transistors, fuses) to service.
Oxidised or burnt connectors: to replace (re-pin) to make the machine reliable.

Multimeter check of a Bally board — Flash Gordon — A multimeter helps locate corrosion, voltages and faulty coils.

Replacement boards compatible with Flash Gordon

BallyFA — replacement MPU board (battery-free).
BallyDri — power + driver.
BallyLa_60 — lamp driver.

BallyDri power and driver board for Bally — Flash Gordon — The BallyDri: replacement power + driver board, Plug & Play installation.

📚 To go further: Guide: which MPU board for a Bally / Stern (1977-1985)?

The BallyFA replaces the original MPU board (start-up, logic, multiball control, battery-free memory) and removes the battery, the number-one cause of corrosion. For the coils and power, the BallyDri takes over; the lamps via the BallyLa_60. The Squawk & Talk board is serviced separately. Plug & Play installation, battery-free, free support. Contact us.

FAQ — Flash Gordon Bally

My Flash Gordon has no sound.
The Squawk & Talk board is diagnosed separately; the BallyFA makes the MPU and game logic reliable.

My Flash Gordon no longer starts.
Check the battery and corrosion around U10/U11. The BallyFA replaces the MPU and works without a battery.

Is the BallyFA compatible with my Bally?
Yes, for Bally/Stern microprocessor pinballs (1977-1985). If in doubt, contact us.

Should I keep the original battery?
No. The BallyFA works without a battery and removes the number-one cause of corrosion.

How long does it take to install a replacement board?
Installation is Plug & Play: a few minutes, no soldering, with tutorials and free support.

Does a battery-free board keep the settings and high scores?
Yes. Modern replacement boards use non-volatile memory: no more battery, no more corrosion, and the settings are kept when powered off.

Step-by-step diagnosis

Powered off, visual inspection: look for any trace of battery or corrosion on your Flash Gordon's MPU, especially around U10/U11; remove the original battery if it is still present.
Power supply: check the rectifier and the voltages (5 V logic, coil and lamp voltages); replace tired fuses.
Grounds and connectors: redo the grounds and re-pin the oxidised or burnt MPU/power connectors.
MPU: check the PIA 6821 chips (U10/U11) and the RAM; the BallyFA replaces the MPU and works without a battery.
Displays: never plug or unplug a display while powered on; test with a known-good display.
Final test: check start-up, credits, multiball, coils and displays; if needed, contact free support.