Six Million Dollar Man (Bally, 1978): Troubleshooting and Bally MPU Replacement Boards
Is your Six Million Dollar Man by Bally not starting, has brittle connector pins, a poorly served ball, or worn flippers? 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.
Six Million Dollar Man (Bally, 1978): Overview
Released in 1978, Six Million Dollar Man is a licensed Bally machine based on the hit TV series about the bionic man. It uses the Bally MPU board (AS-2518 series).
- Manufacturer: Bally
- Year: 1978
- Electronic system: Bally MPU (AS-2518)
- Type: solid state
- Theme: bionic man TV series (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.
Six Million Dollar Man-Specific Issues (Forum Reports)
- Brittle female connector pins: they become fragile and break; replace the affected connectors.
- Ball poorly served / feed coil: often fixed by reseating MPU connector J4.
- Worn flippers: excessive play from lack of servicing, coils breaking at the plastic bobbin, worn under-playfield parts.
- Power supply: mains fuse, MOV, transformer, or mains cord to check.
- Leaking battery on MPU: corrosion around U10/U11.
- Displays off or partial: display power supply and MPU to check.
Compatible Replacement Boards for Six Million Dollar 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)?
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 — Six Million Dollar Man Bally
My ball is served poorly.
Often fixed by reseating MPU connector J4, plus checking the feed coil. On the power side, the BallyDri renews the driver stage.
My connector pins are brittle and breaking.
Replace the affected connectors (re-pin). Battery-free boards plus fresh connectors make the machine reliable again.
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 Six Million Dollar 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)?
