TX-Sector (Gottlieb, 1988): faults and System 80B replacement boards

Q: A target bank doesn't count.

This is a matrix or switch fault. Check the contacts; a new MPU makes the reading more reliable.

Q: Do I need a wiring extension for the board on 80B?

Often yes: on the TX-Sector, the display ribbon cable can be a little short and the backbox neon sometimes has to be raised to clear the GottFA80 Light. Our tutorials and our free support guide you.

June 25, 2026

Is your Gottlieb TX-Sector not booting, showing uncounted targets, losing its voice or resetting? These symptoms are typical of Gottlieb System 80B pinball machines, whose original boards (MPU, Driver, power supply, sound) are now over 40 years old. Good news: modern replacement boards, Plug & Play and battery-free, give your machine a second life.

TX-Sector (Gottlieb, 1988): overview

Released in 1988, TX-Sector is a System 80B pinball machine with a science-fiction and futuristic teleportation theme. It features the series' alphanumeric displays and speech synthesis.

Manufacturer: D. Gottlieb & Co.
Year: 1988
Electronic system: Gottlieb System 80B
Type: solid-state pinball machine, alphanumeric displays
Theme: science-fiction / teleportation

Gottlieb System 80B boards — TX-Sector — The CPU and Driver boards of the Gottlieb System 80B.

Common faults (System 80B)

System 80B machines use alphanumeric displays and an MPU with a battery-backed RAM 5101. Recurring faults: leaking battery on the MPU (corrosion and loss of the 5101 memory), unstable power supply (the original trim pot struggles to hold the 5 V and 12 V rails), cracked solder joints (notably on the CPU daughter card), inter-board connectors needing re-pinning, poor grounds (ground mods essential), dead displays if a single bit fails to pass from the MPU to the display, and start-up disrupted by the fluorescent tube starter in the backbox.

Issues specific to the TX-Sector (forum feedback)

Battery corrosion on the MPU: can cause the absence of multiball then, after ground mods and reworking the power supply, a refusal to boot.
Faulty drop target bank: the left bank does not count and does not reset when all the targets are down.
No more voice (MA-886 sound board): test ROM OK but no audio signal found in the sound path.
Lower display cutting out: works at boot then goes dark when switching to the game screen.
Connectors and grounds: re-pinning and ground mods essential.

Battery corrosion on a Gottlieb System 80B board — TX-Sector — Typical corrosion from a leaking battery on System 80B: address it first.

TX-Sector compatible replacement boards

GottFA80_Plus (Light) — all-in-one CPU + Driver + power supply board, without sound.
GottFA80_Plus (Full) — same with integrated sound board (80B audio limited to a few titles).
Gosof — replacement sound board for System 80 and 80A (80B support currently limited to a few titles).
Godri80 — replacement Driver board.
Lisy80 — CPU board + web diagnostics.
GoPOP80 — pop bumper driver board (MA-922).

GottFA80_Plus board for Gottlieb System 80B — TX-Sector — The GottFA80_Plus: all-in-one board (CPU + Driver + power supply), battery-free.

System 80B specifics: favour the GottFA80_Plus Light — the 80B is covered on the CPU/MPU side. On the audio side, support is for now limited to a few titles (Bounty Hunter, Chicago Cubs Triple Play, Tag Team); for the other System 80B machines, keep and repair the original sound board and contact us (an audio solution is in preparation).

To plan for when fitting on 80B: in full transparency, on a System 80B such as the TX-Sector, the original display ribbon cable is sometimes a little short to reach the GottFA80 Light in its new position: a small display wiring extension may be needed. You also often need to raise or slightly reposition the backbox neon (fluorescent tube) to clear the board. Nothing complicated: we provide advice and support free of charge.

Plug & Play installation, battery-free, free tutorials and support. Contact us.

FAQ — TX-Sector Gottlieb

My TX-Sector won't boot.
Check for battery corrosion on the MPU. A GottFA80_Plus Light or Lisy80 replaces the MPU and eliminates this weak point.

A target bank doesn't count.
This is a matrix/switch fault. Check the contacts; a new MPU makes the reading more reliable.

I have no more voice.
The MA-886 sound board is often to blame: repair the original sound board. For 80B audio, support is limited to a few titles — contact us.

Do I need a wiring extension for the board on 80B?
Often, yes: on the TX-Sector, the display ribbon cable can be a little short and the backbox neon sometimes has to be raised to clear the GottFA80 Light. Our tutorials and our free support guide you.

And what about 80B sound?
Audio support is for now limited to a few titles (Bounty Hunter, Chicago Cubs Triple Play, Tag Team). For TX-Sector, keep and repair the original sound board and contact us; a solution is in preparation.

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 battery or corrosion traces on the MPU of your TX-Sector; remove the NiCad battery if still present.
Power supply: measure the 5 V and check that it reaches the MPU (resolder the regulator or Q1 if the voltage drops).
Grounds: apply the « ground mods » between the boards (CPU, Driver, power supply, sound).
Connectors: re-pin the oxidised Molex connectors, especially the MPU↔Driver link.
Displays: never plug or unplug a display while powered on; test with a known-good display.
Final test: check start-up, credits, coils and displays; if needed, contact free support.