Time Line (Gottlieb, 1980): Troubleshooting and System 80 Replacement Boards
Your Time Line by Gottlieb won't start, displays show 000000, has stuck tilt switches, or relay A stays energized? 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.
Time Line (Gottlieb, 1980): Overview
Released in 1980, Time Line is an original time-travel-themed System 80 pinball machine, traversing different historical eras. It uses the Gottlieb System 80 electronics.
- Manufacturer: Gottlieb
- Year: 1980
- Electronic system: Gottlieb System 80
- Type: solid state
- Theme: time travel
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).
Time Line-Specific Issues (Forum Reports)
- Displays show 000000 and start button inactive: often caused by the coin lockout wire caught or stuck in the coin switches.
- Tilt switches stuck closed: the three normally-open tilt switches (under the playfield, pendulum, ball roll) must all be open; otherwise the game starts at zero and does not run.
- Coin switches stuck closed: some games will not start if the coin contacts are not in their normally-open position.
- Relay "A" permanently energized: a documented problem on Time Line where relay A remains stuck on.
- Erratic sound and solenoids: low volume and unstable solenoid control linked to aging boards.
Compatible Replacement Boards for Time Line
- 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 — Time Line Gottlieb
My Time Line displays show 000000 and won't start.
Check whether the coin lockout wire is stuck in the coin switches. Also verify all three tilt switches are in the normally-open position.
Relay A stays energized.
This is a documented Time Line-specific issue. Check the relay coil, diode, and driver transistor on the driver board.
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 Time Line; 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)
- Star Race (Gottlieb, 1980)
- James Bond (Gottlieb, 1980)
- Panthera (Gottlieb, 1980)
