Baby Pac-Man (Bally, 1982): Troubleshooting and Bally MPU Replacement Boards
Is your Baby Pac-Man by Bally not starting on the pinball side, has runaway coils, dead displays, or a video section fault? These symptoms are typical of Bally microprocessor pinball machines whose original MPU board is now over 40 years old and almost always suffers from a leaking battery. The good news: the BallyFA replacement MPU board, Plug & Play and battery-free, brings your machine back to life.
Baby Pac-Man (Bally, 1982): Overview
Released in 1982, Baby Pac-Man is the first Bally/Midway pinball/video hybrid, combining a standard Bally MPU pinball with an integrated Pac-Man video maze. It uses the Bally MPU board (AS-2518 series).
- Manufacturer: Bally
- Year: 1982
- Electronic system: Bally MPU (AS-2518)
- Type: solid state, hybrid pinball/video game
- Theme: Pac-Man (licensed)
Common Issues (Bally MPU)
On Bally microprocessor pinball machines (1977-1985), recurring failures stem from aging: leaking battery on the MPU (corrodes traces and sockets around U10/U11 — the #1 cause of dead boards), worn PIA 6821 chips (U10/U11) (oxidized pins, machine won't boot), failed 5101 RAM and sockets, oxidized or burnt MPU/power connectors (look for heat marks), displays with missing segments, and power supply/driver board (rectifier, fuses, solenoid transistors) needing attention.
Baby Pac-Man-Specific Issues (Forum Reports)
- Leaking battery on MPU (pinball side): corrosion around U10/U11 — top priority.
- Runaway or dead coils: check the lamp/coil combo board (AS-2518-107).
- Dead or partial displays: check the display power supply and MPU.
- Oxidized or burnt connectors: replace (re-pinning) to stabilize the machine.
- Video section (Vidiot): a machine-specific board, serviced separately — not covered by the pinball MPU replacement.
- Blowing fuses: look for a shorted rectifier or solenoid coil.
Compatible Replacement Boards for Baby Pac-Man
- BallyFA — replacement MPU board (battery-free).
- BallyDri — power supply + driver board.
- BallyLa_60 — lamp driver board.
📚 Learn more: Guide: Which MPU board for a Bally (1977-1985)?
Important note: Baby Pac-Man is a pinball/video hybrid. The BallyFA covers the pinball MPU side (standard Bally AS-2518). The video/maze board (Vidiot) and the lamp/coil combo board are specific to Baby Pac-Man and are not covered by a standard Bally MPU replacement. Contact us for guidance on the video section.
The BallyFA replaces the original MPU board (startup, game logic, battery-free memory) and eliminates the battery — the #1 cause of corrosion. For solenoids and power, the BallyDri takes over; lamps via the BallyLa_60. Installation is Plug & Play, battery-free, with free support. Contact us.
FAQ — Baby Pac-Man Bally
My Baby Pac-Man pinball side won't start.
Standard Bally MPU faults (battery corrosion around U10/U11). The BallyFA replaces the pinball MPU, battery-free. The video board is separate.
Does the BallyFA fix the video/maze section?
No. The BallyFA covers the pinball MPU only. The Vidiot video board is specific to Baby Pac-Man — contact us for guidance.
Is the BallyFA compatible with my Bally?
Yes, for all Bally microprocessor machines (1977-1985). If in doubt, contact us.
Do I need to keep the original battery?
No. The BallyFA runs without a battery and eliminates 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 Baby Pac-Man; remove the original battery if still present.
- Power supply: measure voltages (especially 5V) and verify they reach the MPU; check the rectifier and power board fuses.
- MPU components: inspect the PIA 6821 chips (U10/U11) and the 5101 RAM, often corroded by battery leakage.
- Connectors: re-pin oxidized or burnt connectors, especially between the MPU and power supply.
- Displays: check display power supply; test with a known good display.
- Final test: verify startup, credits, solenoids, and displays; the BallyFA replaces the MPU battery-free; 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 MPU board for a Bally (1977-1985)?
