Alien Star (Gottlieb, 1984): Troubleshooting and System 80A Replacement Boards
Your Alien Star by Gottlieb won't start, has erratic displays and ball return, a faulty switch, or a missing ground pin? These symptoms are typical of Gottlieb System 80A pinball machines whose original boards are now over 40 years old. The good news: our battery-free replacement boards, Plug & Play, bring your machine back to life.
Alien Star (Gottlieb, 1984): Overview
Released in 1984, Alien Star is a relatively rare System 80A title sought after for its space artwork. It uses the Gottlieb System 80A electronics.
- Manufacturer: Gottlieb
- Year: 1984
- Electronic system: Gottlieb System 80A
- Type: solid state
- Theme: extraterrestrial science fiction
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.
Alien Star-Specific Issues (Forum Reports)
- Game won't start: documented startup problem; often a faulty switch or connector.
- Erratic displays and ball return (kicker): reported display and kicker faults.
- Faulty switch to replace: a bad contact can lock up the machine; replacing it fixes the problem.
- Power cord with no ground pin: some units have a cable lacking earth ground — a shock hazard to fix as a priority.
- Connectors to clean: pencil eraser and isopropyl alcohol, then reseat the connectors as a first step.
Compatible Replacement Boards for Alien Star
- 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 — Alien Star Gottlieb
My Alien Star won't start.
Often a faulty switch or connector locking the machine. Check and replace the bad contact, clean the connectors; a GottFA80_Plus stabilizes startup.
The power cord has no ground pin.
Some units shipped with a cable lacking earth ground — a shock hazard. Replace it with a properly grounded cord as a priority.
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 Alien Star; remove the NiCad battery if still present.
- Power supply: measure the 5V rail and verify it reaches the MPU (replace the drifting trim pot or re-solder the regulator if voltage sags).
- Grounds: apply ground mods between the boards (CPU, driver, power supply, sound).
- Connectors: re-pin oxidized Molex and edge connectors, especially the MPU-to-driver 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
- Ice Fever (Gottlieb, 1985)
- El Dorado City of Gold (Gottlieb, 1984)
- The Games (Gottlieb, 1984)
- Super Orbit (Gottlieb, 1983)
