Stellar Wars (Williams, 1979): faults and replacement boards System 6
Does your Williams Stellar Wars have no more display, does it reset, start slowly or keep a stuck coil? 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.
Stellar Wars (Williams, 1979): overview
Released in 1979, Stellar Wars is a Williams System 6 pinball machine with a futuristic space battle theme. A science-fiction title appreciated from this solid state generation.
- Manufacturer: Williams
- Year: 1979
- Electronic system: Williams System 6
- Type: electronic pinball (solid state)
- Theme: space battle / science fiction
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 MPU↔Driver connector (the best-known weak point), resets/reboots on a 5 V drop (power supply headers and connectors needing resoldering), tired power supply capacitors, displays with missing segments (connectors, display resistors), and solenoid fuse blowing (stuck slingshot or bumper).
Issues specific to Stellar Wars (forum feedback)
- No display, master flashing: often a collapsed 5 V (measured at 2.7 V instead of 5 V).
- Slow start-up: resolved by replacing the 4 large power supply capacitors.
- Inconsistent boot: the two CPU LEDs light up then go out, the result of a self-test that varies from one power-up to the next.
- Stuck pop bumper: the top right bumper coil stays energised; the switches under the bumper then no longer make contact.
- Faulty sound: missing, doubled or distorted sounds.
Replacement boards compatible with Stellar Wars
- 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 drive, battery-free memory) and removes the fragile 40-pin ribbon cable. Purely power-supply faults (capacitors, 5 V, power connectors) still need to be addressed on the power supply side; our support guides you.
Plug & Play installation, battery-free, tutorials and free support. Contact us.
FAQ — Stellar Wars Williams
I have no display and the master flashes.
Check the 5 V (often collapsed). Repair the power supply; the WillFA7 replaces MPU and Driver and makes start-up reliable.
My Stellar Wars starts slowly.
Replace the 4 large power supply capacitors. The WillFA7 then makes the logic side reliable.
A pop bumper stays stuck.
Check the transistor and the coil diode. The WillFA7 replaces the faulty Driver stage.
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 Stellar Wars; 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.
