tech: stern meteor reboot issue

jbshocks

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Oct 18, 2012, 11:35:24 AM10/18/12

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I am hoping to get a little help on an issue I am having. First I have
the same issue with my repaired MPU 200 and ultimate MPU. I will have a
situation where when I press the start/credit button it causes the
machine to reboot. Last time it did this I lost my high score and
credits on the MPu200 and this is after installing a super cap for the
battery. I am wondering if this crashing is what killed my 5101 as
well. The only way I have found to stop the reboot issue once it kicks
in is to put the machine into self test/burn in mode. If I let it run a
cycle through on the test mode then reboot the machine it will work
normally. You think maybe a bad diode on the start switch?

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jbshocks
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flyer666

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Oct 18, 2012, 2:14:07 PM10/18/12

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so it boots up fine ..all 7 led blinks and attract mode ???

If so check your tlit door switch

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flyer666

John Robertson

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Oct 18, 2012, 2:34:39 PM10/18/12

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Yes, a shorted (or wiring shorted to ground) diode that could account
for the problem.

I suggest you put the game into switch test and see what results you get
for the start, slam, pendulum, and coin switches - in other words the
switches on the 1st column shown on the switch matrix diagram...

John :-#)#

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Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
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jbshocks

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Oct 18, 2012, 3:52:28 PM10/18/12

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It boots and goes into attract mode 9 Times out of 10 it starts and
plays. Then you will try to start the game and it reboot and goes back
to attract. You can keep doing this until running test 1

seymour.shabow

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Oct 18, 2012, 5:30:44 PM10/18/12

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jbshocks wrote:
> It boots and goes into attract mode 9 Times out of 10 it starts and
> plays. Then you will try to start the game and it reboot and goes back
> to attract. You can keep doing this until running test 1
>

Diodes on the coils that reset at game start, or the diodes on the
solenoid driver board.

Check the rectifier board for cracked traces as well.

John Robertson

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Oct 18, 2012, 7:49:58 PM10/18/12

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jbshocks wrote:
> It boots and goes into attract mode 9 Times out of 10 it starts and
> plays. Then you will try to start the game and it reboot and goes back
> to attract. You can keep doing this until running test 1
>
>

You didn't say this before (I wish you would quote previous messages!).

This looks more like a problem with the 5VDC power - check the main
filter cap for proper voltages (about 10VDC) and ripple (<1.0VAC).

jbshocks

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Oct 18, 2012, 8:07:30 PM10/18/12

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main filter cap was replaced and checked out when installed but I will
check it again.

jbshocks

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Oct 25, 2012, 4:32:43 PM10/25/12

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I check and also swapped the filter cap. 5 volt line seems fine. I can
now duplicate the trouble at will. On the lower left drop bank which
are the "1" targets. If the center and right targets are down at the
same time, it will reset the game when hitting the credit button. I can
add a player if I am still on ball one with the 2 targets down but I can
not start a game. If I list one of the drops it will start. I might
see if I have the switch diodes on hand and switch them out. Any other
ideas?

bara...@gmail.com

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Oct 25, 2012, 5:44:01 PM10/25/12

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Just looked at the switch matrix. Slam tilt is on the same row as the middle target on the lower left three bank. I would be checking all the diodes around there for proper isolation.

Make sure your coin door switches are not shorting out against each other or the door itself. If i remember right stern put a slam switch nearby to credit button.

bara...@gmail.com

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Oct 25, 2012, 5:55:43 PM10/25/12

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Make sure the drop target switch isn't stuck closed too.

seymour.shabow

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Oct 25, 2012, 6:39:20 PM10/25/12

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bara...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> Make sure the drop target switch isn't stuck closed too.

Of course it's stuck closed when it's down ;)

jbshocks

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Oct 25, 2012, 9:04:25 PM10/25/12

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I tested the drop diodes, slam and start and now it isn't acting up. I
had to bend a couple to get at them so I am wondering if it was shorted.
I guess I will watch it a bit.

bara...@gmail.com

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Oct 26, 2012, 5:48:00 PM10/26/12

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Yay. If they get bent and lead is touching metal they could be giving a path around the diode and that might light up multiple switches at once.