Firepower (Williams, 1980): Troubleshooting and System 6 Replacement Boards
Is your Firepower by Williams rebooting, seeing its 5V drop under load, has a leaking battery, or shows dim displays? 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.
Firepower (Williams, 1980): Overview
Released in 1980, Firepower is a great Williams System 6 classic, famous for its multiball and lane change — one of the most popular pinball machines of its era.
- Manufacturer: Williams
- Year: 1980
- Electronic system: Williams System 6
- Type: solid state, multiball
- Theme: space combat / science fiction
Common Issues (System 6)
On Williams System 3 to 7 pinball machines, recurring failures stem from aging: leaking NiCad battery on the MPU (corrosion — the #1 cause of dead boards), worn 40-pin MPU-to-driver connector (the single most common failure point), resets/reboots from 5V drops (power headers and connectors need re-soldering), tired power supply capacitors, displays with missing segments (connectors, display resistors), and solenoid fuse blowing (stuck slingshot or pop bumper).
Firepower-Specific Issues (Forum Reports)
- Reboots caused by connectors: the connector between MPU and power supply is often the culprit (1J2 left of CPU, 3J6 top of power supply) — re-pin both sides.
- 5V drops under heat: weak power supply that drifts after warming up; check fuse holders and re-flow headers.
- Battery corrosion: it spreads to IC5 and C2 nearby.
- Displays fading out: gas tubes wearing out and the 100V circuit on the power supply failing.
- 40-pin connector: replace the male/female header and old sockets to stabilize the machine.
Compatible Replacement Boards for Firepower
- WillFA7 — 2-in-1 board (MPU + Driver) compatible with System 3 to 7, including System 7.
The WillFA7 replaces the original MPU and driver board (startup, logic resets, solenoid control, battery-free memory) and eliminates the fragile 40-pin ribbon cable. Purely power-supply issues (rectifier bridge, power connectors) need to be addressed on the power supply side; our support team can guide you.
Installation is Plug & Play, battery-free, with tutorials and free support. Contact us.
FAQ — Firepower Williams
My Firepower keeps rebooting.
Re-pin the MPU-to-power connectors (1J2, 3J6). The WillFA7 stabilizes the logic side and eliminates the 40-pin ribbon cable.
The 5V drops when the game warms up.
The power supply is weak: fuse holders and headers need servicing. The WillFA7 doesn't replace the power supply; our support team can guide you.
The battery has leaked near IC5/C2.
Clean the corrosion. The WillFA7 runs without a battery and permanently eliminates this risk.
Do I need to keep the original battery?
No. The WillFA7 runs without a battery and eliminates the #1 cause of corrosion on System 6 machines.
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 Firepower; remove the NiCad battery if still present.
- Power supply: check the 5V rail and fuses; re-solder power supply headers and MPU headers if voltage drops or the game resets.
- Connectors: re-pin oxidized Molex connectors, especially the MPU-to-driver connection.
- Solenoids: check solenoid fuses and 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: verify startup, credits, solenoids, and displays; remember the WillFA7 replaces MPU + driver. 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 Williams System 3 to 7?
See Also
- Laser Ball (Williams, 1979)
- Gorgar (Williams, 1979)
- Blackout (Williams, 1980)
- Scorpion (Williams, 1980)
