Algar (Williams, 1980): common faults and System 6 replacement boards
Is your Williams Algar not booting, resetting, producing no background sound or showing 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. The good news: the WillFA7 replacement board, Plug & Play and battery-free, brings your machine back to life.
Algar (Williams, 1980): overview
Released in 1980, Algar is a widebody pinball machine powered by Williams System 6 electronics. It was one of the first Williams games to feature speech, thanks to a Type 1 sound board. Its very limited production makes it a sought-after title among collectors today.
- Manufacturer: Williams
- Year: 1980
- Electronic system: Williams System 6 (6A variant)
- Type: solid-state pinball, widebody cabinet
- Theme: jungle / adventure
Common faults (System 6)
On Williams System 3 to 7, the 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 headers and connectors to be resoldered), tired power-supply capacitors, displays with missing segments, and a solenoid fuse that blows (slingshot or stuck bumper).
Issues specific to Algar (forum feedback)
- No background sound: a frequent Type 1 sound board fault — dry solder joints at the connectors, a tired TDA2002 amplifier, loose IC sockets or a failing PIA.
- Wavering displays or missing digits: a classic System 6A defect; the 7-digit display connectors and solder joints need reworking.
- No general illumination (GI): GI connectors that overheat and darken, to be reconditioned.
- Drop-target and flipper wiring: on this widebody, the original harnesses are fragile; many owners look for wiring photos to make these areas reliable.
- 40-pin MPU↔Driver connector: the System 6 weak point; a single pin losing contact and the game refuses to start.
- Overheating power connectors: the Williams fire-risk warning (Sys. 3 to 11) targets the power headers and Molex connectors, to be replaced as a precaution.
Replacement boards compatible with Algar
- 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 (boot-up, logic resets, coil driving, battery-free memory) and removes the fragile 40-pin ribbon. Purely sound, display, GI and mechanical wiring faults still need to be addressed separately; our support team will guide you.
Plug & Play installation, battery-free, free tutorials and support. Contact us.
FAQ — Algar Williams
My Algar won't start or reboots on its own.
Often an unstable 5 V and/or the 40-pin connector. The WillFA7 replaces MPU and Driver and removes the fragile ribbon; our support helps you diagnose the power supply.
I have no background sound.
Sound depends on the Type 1 sound board, separate from the MPU. The WillFA7 does not repair sound but makes boot-up and driving reliable; we point you to the sound board repair.
My displays waver or lose digits.
A typical System 6A defect: display connectors and solder joints. The WillFA7 makes the MPU logic reliable; the displays are handled separately.
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 Algar; 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
- Scorpion (Williams, 1980)
- Alien Poker (Williams, 1980)
- Blackout (Williams, 1980)
- Firepower (Williams, 1980)
