Before starting to unbolt
things, disconnect the wiring harness underneath the playfield and label the
two identical connectors with something easily identifiable. While they are still
connected, you can either label them with a marker or put some kind of colored
tape on both connectors of one set to ensure they get back together correctly. The
wires are colored differently and you can match them up that way, but this is
just another step that is recommended, making reassembly a no brainer.
Although the new switches can be installed without removing the
mini playfield, it is recommended to remove it.
It is relatively easy to do, just take your time and be careful.
Once everything is unbolted/disconnected,
place a towel over the playfield so you can set the mini playfield down to work
on getting the wiring harnesses through the hole in the main playfield. It's easiest
to pull them through the hole one wiring harness at a time.
Once the mini playfield is free from the machine, unbolt all of
the switches. Keep all hardware
organized so you know where it goes for reassembly. Lay out the new parts to make sure you've got
everything and you know where it's all supposed to go. Make sure you've got a
good pen-style soldering iron and be sure to tin the pads of where the switch
wiring is going to go. If you're unsure
of your manual dexterity, it may be a good idea to use a third-hand tool with
the clips and a magnifying glass to make it easier. Take note of the pads and look closely to
which side the wires are going to go. They're also labeled on the board as to
where the white and the green wires are supposed to go.
When cutting the wires from
the old switches, trim them back a bit to get nice, fresh copper exposed and
then tin them with some fresh solder. Do
not trim the wires to length on the new switches. Leave as much wiring as
possible intact for the benefit of any future repairs/choices.
As a part of the "wiring clean up" upon assembly, sheathe
everything with heat shrink tubing. There is no real need to shrink it, the
tubing is merely used as a protective conduit and as a way to make things look tidy.