Star Tech Journal
Issue: 1983-March - Vol 5 Issue 1 - Page 8
8
STAR*TECH JOURNAL/MARCH 1983
ATARI
" POLE POSITION"
* HIGH SCORE RETENTION MOD* GAS PEDAL MAINTENANCE
* STEERING WHEEL LOCK-UP* INTERMITTENT GEAR SHIFT* DOUBLE VISION
High Score Retention Mod
Problem: Some " Pole Position" games do not retain high score-to-date memory. The game allows
you to write your name, but it does not save in memory.
Solution: The 3.6-volt NI-CAD battery initially has no charge. lfit is a brand new game, then the new
game must be on for at least 16 hours to fully charge the battery.
Solution: American Board: On the CPU board change CR6 from a 1N4728 ( 3.3 volt) zenerdiode to a
1N748A (3 .9-volt ¼-watt) zener diode.
Japanese Board: On the CPU board change zener diode DlO from a 1N4728 to a 1N748A or a
1N4228.
The 1N748A zener will normally measure 3.6 to 3.75 volts. The lower voltage is the result of
operating current levels. The zener manufacturer specifies 3.9 volts with a zener current of20 mA.
The back-up circuit operates the zener at 6.4 mA (derate zener voltage at .023 volts per mA).
WARNING
Some individuals may cross the 1N748A to another 3.9-volt lNXXXX number or an ECG
equivalent. This may not work. The final criteria is that the voltage across the diode be 3.5 volts
minimum.
Gas Pedal Maintenance
Problem: Game will not reach top speed of 190 mph.
Solution: The top speed is determined by the value of the pot on the foot pedal. When the game is
turned off and then back on, or when the game is put into self test, the game program checks to see what
the value of the pot is. To get the maximum speed, make sure the foot pedal is all the way up before
powering up the game or going into self test. You can check to see if you have the maximum setting in
self test. The pedal will vary numbers displayed in self test. The numbers will be between O and 94-9F.
Problem: The gas pedal does not return to the full up position.
Solution: Apply a light oil like WD40 to the potentiometer shaft.
In some cases the base plate may be defective and cause the pedal to bind. If the base plate is defective,
exchange it for a new one.
It is also possible for the cables to come out of the eyelet crimp. Replace cable with a new one.
Steering Wheel Lock-Up
Problem: Steering wheel locks up.
Solution: Replace the two nylon washers on both ends of the bearing. Make certain the bearing is
lubricated.
Intermittent Gear Shift
Problem: Intermittent gear shift
Solution: Use a longer actuator pin. Temporarily a "Battle Zone" pin filed 1/16" will suffice.
Double Vision
Problem: Double vision or tearing of motion objects.
Solution: The board may contain National 74LS161 !Cs in the HORIZONTAL ADDRESS
COUNTER section. Replace with non-National 74Sl61 !Cs.
ROM/PROM TEST CABLE ASSY
By Jerry Aiello, World Wide Distributors, Mt. Clemens, MI
I read the service tip entitled " ROM/PROM TEST RIG for signature analysis" in the S*TJ
November ' 82 issue (Vol. 4, No. 9).
Bill Say's idea is a good one, but apparently he purchases the header and test clip separately, and
then wires them together himself.
There is a better, although more expensive, way.
The entire assembly, consisting of the header, test clip, and an 18-inch ribbon cable, all wired to-
gether, is available from: Digi-Key Corp., Highway 32 South, Box 677, Thief River Falls, MN 56701.
The part numbers and prices, according to my January 1983 catalog, are:
16-pin
923884-16
$15 .20
24-pin
923884-24
$29.75
40-pin
923884-40
$39.55
STAR*TECH JOURNAL/MARCH 1983
ATARI
" POLE POSITION"
* HIGH SCORE RETENTION MOD* GAS PEDAL MAINTENANCE
* STEERING WHEEL LOCK-UP* INTERMITTENT GEAR SHIFT* DOUBLE VISION
High Score Retention Mod
Problem: Some " Pole Position" games do not retain high score-to-date memory. The game allows
you to write your name, but it does not save in memory.
Solution: The 3.6-volt NI-CAD battery initially has no charge. lfit is a brand new game, then the new
game must be on for at least 16 hours to fully charge the battery.
Solution: American Board: On the CPU board change CR6 from a 1N4728 ( 3.3 volt) zenerdiode to a
1N748A (3 .9-volt ¼-watt) zener diode.
Japanese Board: On the CPU board change zener diode DlO from a 1N4728 to a 1N748A or a
1N4228.
The 1N748A zener will normally measure 3.6 to 3.75 volts. The lower voltage is the result of
operating current levels. The zener manufacturer specifies 3.9 volts with a zener current of20 mA.
The back-up circuit operates the zener at 6.4 mA (derate zener voltage at .023 volts per mA).
WARNING
Some individuals may cross the 1N748A to another 3.9-volt lNXXXX number or an ECG
equivalent. This may not work. The final criteria is that the voltage across the diode be 3.5 volts
minimum.
Gas Pedal Maintenance
Problem: Game will not reach top speed of 190 mph.
Solution: The top speed is determined by the value of the pot on the foot pedal. When the game is
turned off and then back on, or when the game is put into self test, the game program checks to see what
the value of the pot is. To get the maximum speed, make sure the foot pedal is all the way up before
powering up the game or going into self test. You can check to see if you have the maximum setting in
self test. The pedal will vary numbers displayed in self test. The numbers will be between O and 94-9F.
Problem: The gas pedal does not return to the full up position.
Solution: Apply a light oil like WD40 to the potentiometer shaft.
In some cases the base plate may be defective and cause the pedal to bind. If the base plate is defective,
exchange it for a new one.
It is also possible for the cables to come out of the eyelet crimp. Replace cable with a new one.
Steering Wheel Lock-Up
Problem: Steering wheel locks up.
Solution: Replace the two nylon washers on both ends of the bearing. Make certain the bearing is
lubricated.
Intermittent Gear Shift
Problem: Intermittent gear shift
Solution: Use a longer actuator pin. Temporarily a "Battle Zone" pin filed 1/16" will suffice.
Double Vision
Problem: Double vision or tearing of motion objects.
Solution: The board may contain National 74LS161 !Cs in the HORIZONTAL ADDRESS
COUNTER section. Replace with non-National 74Sl61 !Cs.
ROM/PROM TEST CABLE ASSY
By Jerry Aiello, World Wide Distributors, Mt. Clemens, MI
I read the service tip entitled " ROM/PROM TEST RIG for signature analysis" in the S*TJ
November ' 82 issue (Vol. 4, No. 9).
Bill Say's idea is a good one, but apparently he purchases the header and test clip separately, and
then wires them together himself.
There is a better, although more expensive, way.
The entire assembly, consisting of the header, test clip, and an 18-inch ribbon cable, all wired to-
gether, is available from: Digi-Key Corp., Highway 32 South, Box 677, Thief River Falls, MN 56701.
The part numbers and prices, according to my January 1983 catalog, are:
16-pin
923884-16
$15 .20
24-pin
923884-24
$29.75
40-pin
923884-40
$39.55
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).