Rack 'Em Up (Gottlieb, 1983): Troubleshooting and System 80A Replacement Boards
Your Rack 'Em Up by Gottlieb won't start, has controlled lamps not lighting, attract sound won't mute, or shows missing display segments? These symptoms are typical of Gottlieb System 80A pinball machines whose original boards are now over 40 years old. The good news: the GottFA80_Plus replacement board, Plug & Play and battery-free, brings your machine back to life.
Rack 'Em Up (Gottlieb, 1983): Overview
Released in 1983, Rack 'Em Up is a System 80A pinball machine with a game-room atmosphere themed around billiards and a fast-paced playfield. It uses the Gottlieb System 80A electronics.
- Manufacturer: Gottlieb
- Year: 1983
- Electronic system: Gottlieb System 80A
- Type: solid state
- Theme: billiards / pool
Common Issues (System 80A)
All Gottlieb System 80A pinball machines share the same weaknesses as System 80, with added complexity from alphanumeric displays and speech synthesis:
- Leaking NiCad battery: soldered to the MPU board, it corrodes traces and components over time — the #1 cause of dead boards. Remove it immediately.
- Floating grounds: the original ground wiring is undersized and causes resets and erratic behavior. Ground mods are virtually mandatory.
- Edge connectors (the "Gottlieb plague"): oxidized edge connectors cause display faults, missing digits, and intermittent failures. Clean or replace them.
- Corroded connectors: Molex connectors, especially the MPU-to-driver connection, lose contact and require re-pinning.
- Drifting power supply: the 5V and 12V rails sag over time; trim pots and aging capacitors need attention.
- Sound board: leaking capacitors, cold solder joints, and failing ROMs cause weak or absent sound and speech.
Rack 'Em Up-Specific Issues (Forum Reports)
- Controlled lamps with voltage problems: playfield controlled lamps may stay dim or fail to light properly.
- Controlled lamps under the playfield not lighting: while the backglass general lighting works, the controlled lamps remain dead.
- Background sound difficult to mute: attract-mode sound management via DIP switches is not always effective.
- Displays with missing segments: edge connectors to clean or replace.
- Battery damage on CPU board: corrosion to neutralize after decades.
Compatible Replacement Boards for Rack 'Em Up
- GottFA80_Plus (Light) — all-in-one CPU + driver + power supply board, without sound.
- GottFA80_Plus (Full) — same all-in-one board with integrated sound.
- Gosof — replacement sound board for System 80 and 80A.
- Godri80 — replacement driver board.
- Lisy80 — CPU board + web-based diagnostics.
- GoPOP80 — pop bumper driver board (MA-922).
The GottFA80_Plus replaces the original CPU, driver, and power supply in a single board — battery-free, no corrosion risk. The Gosof replaces the sound board (System 80 and 80A, including speech synthesis). Installation is Plug & Play, with tutorials and free support. Contact us.
FAQ — Rack 'Em Up Gottlieb
Controlled lamps won't light up.
Check the lamp voltage bus and driver transistors. The Godri80 replaces the driver board; the GottFA80_Plus includes driver circuitry.
I can't mute the attract mode sound.
DIP switches don't always work on these sound boards. The Gosof replacement gives you full sound control.
Is the GottFA80_Plus compatible with my Gottlieb System 80A?
Yes. The GottFA80_Plus covers System 80, 80A, and 80B. If in doubt, contact us.
Do I need to keep the original battery?
No. Our boards run without a battery and eliminate the #1 cause of corrosion.
How long does installation take?
Installation is Plug & Play: just a few minutes, no soldering required, with tutorials and free support.
Does a battery-free board retain settings and high scores?
Yes. Modern replacement boards use NVRAM: no battery, no corrosion, and settings are preserved when powered off.
Step-by-Step Diagnostics
- With power off, visual inspection: look for any signs of battery leakage or corrosion on the MPU of your Rack 'Em Up; remove the NiCad battery if still present.
- Power supply: measure the 5V rail and verify it reaches the MPU (re-solder the voltage regulator or Q1 if voltage drops).
- Grounds: apply ground mods between the boards (CPU, driver, power supply, sound).
- Connectors: re-pin oxidized Molex connectors, especially the MPU-to-driver board connection.
- Displays: never connect or disconnect a display while powered on; test with a known good display.
- Final test: verify startup, credits, solenoids, and displays; if needed, contact free support.
Useful Guides
- How much does pinball machine repair cost? A price guide
- How much is my pinball machine worth? Value and estimation
- Pinball machine leg sizes: the complete guide
- Which board for a Gottlieb System 80, 80A or 80B?
See Also
- Amazon Hunt (Gottlieb, 1983)
- Ready Aim Fire! (Gottlieb, 1983)
- Krull (Gottlieb, 1983)
- Royal Flush Deluxe (Gottlieb, 1983)
