Gorgar (Williams, 1979): faults and System 6 replacement boards
Does your Williams Gorgar not boot, reset itself, have a faulty 40-pin connector or missing digits? These symptoms are typical of Williams System 6 pinball machines, whose original boards (MPU, Driver, power supply) are now over 40 years old. Good news: the WillFA7 replacement board, Plug & Play and battery-free, gives your machine a second life.
Gorgar (Williams, 1979): overview
Released in 1979, Gorgar went down in history as the first talking pinball machine. Set against a demonic creature, this System 6 remains a much sought-after classic.
- Manufacturer: Williams
- Year: 1979
- Electronic system: Williams System 6
- Type: electronic pinball (solid state), first talking pinball
- Theme: demonic creature
Common faults (System 6)
On Williams System 3 to 7, recurring faults come from ageing: leaking NiCad battery on the MPU (corrosion, the no.1 cause of dead boards), worn 40-pin connector MPU↔Driver (the best-known weak point), resets/reboots on 5 V drop (headers and power connectors to re-solder), tired power supply capacitors, displays with missing segments (connectors, display resistors), and a blown solenoid fuse (stuck slingshot or bumper).
Issues specific to Gorgar (forum feedback)
- Low DC voltages: check the 5 V and 12 V at the MPU connector; below 4.75 V or 11 V, malfunctions appear.
- 40-pin connector: if the female housing is yellowed/grimy rather than white, it must be replaced (male and female) — it is THE weak point of System 3-7.
- Misaligned switch matrix: after fitting new boards, check that the matrix connectors are not shifted by one pin.
- Missing digits: faulty R1-R7 resistors on the display board, to be replaced with 1/2 watt ones.
- NiCad battery on the MPU: corrosion absolutely to be neutralised.
Replacement boards compatible with Gorgar
- WillFA7 — 2-in-1 board (MPU + Driver) compatible with System 3 to 7, System 7 included.
The WillFA7 replaces the original MPU and Driver board (start-up, logic resets, coil driving, battery-free memory) and does away with the fragile 40-pin ribbon. Pure power supply faults (5 V/12 V, capacitors, power connectors) still need handling on the power supply side; our support guides you.
Plug & Play installation, battery-free, free tutorials and support. Contact us.
FAQ — Gorgar Williams
My Gorgar won't boot or resets itself.
Check the 5 V and 12 V at the MPU. The WillFA7 replaces MPU and Driver and makes start-up reliable; the power supply still needs checking.
My 40-pin connector is yellowed.
It is worn. The WillFA7 combines MPU and Driver and removes this 40-pin ribbon, the no.1 source of faults.
Some digits are missing.
Check the R1-R7 resistors on the display board. That is on the display side; the WillFA7 makes the driving reliable.
Should I keep the original battery?
No. The WillFA7 works without a battery and removes the no.1 cause of corrosion on System 6.
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
- Power off, visual inspection: look for any trace of battery or corrosion on the MPU of your Gorgar; remove the NiCad battery if it is still present.
- Power supply: check the 5 V and the fuses; resolder the power supply and MPU headers if the voltage drops or the game resets.
- Connectors: re-pin the oxidised Molex connectors, especially the MPU↔Driver link.
- Coils: check the solenoid fuses and the switches (stuck slingshot) before powering back on.
- Displays: never connect or disconnect a display while powered on; test with a known-good display.
- Final test: check start-up, credits, coils and displays; remember that the WillFA7 replaces MPU + Driver. If needed, contact free support.
See also
- Flash (Williams, 1979)
- Stellar Wars (Williams, 1979)
- Tri Zone (Williams, 1979)
- Time Warp (Williams, 1979)
