Star Race (Gottlieb, 1980): Troubleshooting and System 80 Replacement Boards
Your Star Race by Gottlieb won't start, has missing display segments, unstable voltages, or corroded connectors? These symptoms are typical of Gottlieb System 80 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.
Star Race (Gottlieb, 1980): Overview
Released in 1980, Star Race is a vivid space-race-themed System 80 pinball machine, typical of Gottlieb's first electronic generation. It uses the Gottlieb System 80 electronics.
- Manufacturer: Gottlieb
- Year: 1980
- Electronic system: Gottlieb System 80
- Type: solid state
- Theme: space race / science fiction
Common Issues (System 80)
All Gottlieb System 80 pinball machines share a well-known set of weaknesses regardless of the game:
- 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.
- RIOT 6532 chip failure: aging RIOT chips (U2, U3) cause a wide range of switch, lamp, and display problems.
- 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.
- Displays: missing segments or digits (J2/J3 edge connectors are the first thing to check).
Star Race-Specific Issues (Forum Reports)
- Connectors damaged by battery: connectors A1-J5 and A1-J6 are often damaged by a leaking battery — if the pins are corroded, they must be replaced.
- Displays with missing segments or digits: missing segments between P1/P2 or digits between P3/P4 generally indicate an edge connector problem.
- Displays restored by reseating J2/J3: reseating the J2/J3 connectors on the MPU board multiple times can resolve display defects.
- Unstable 24 VDC line: adding a large capacitor to the 24 VDC bridge rectifier improves power supply stability.
- Permanent maintenance required: like all System 80 machines, Star Race requires regular attention to startup, playfield lighting, and displays.
Compatible Replacement Boards for Star Race
- 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). Installation is Plug & Play, with tutorials and free support. Contact us.
FAQ — Star Race Gottlieb
My Star Race displays have missing segments.
Check the edge connectors first — reseat or replace J2/J3 on the MPU board. A GottFA80_Plus replaces the entire MPU.
The 24V line is unstable.
Adding a large capacitor to the 24 VDC bridge rectifier helps. The GottFA80_Plus includes a modern power supply.
Is the GottFA80_Plus compatible with my Gottlieb System 80?
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 Star Race; 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
- Circus (Gottlieb, 1980)
- James Bond (Gottlieb, 1980)
- Counterforce (Gottlieb, 1980)
- Panthera (Gottlieb, 1980)
