Stern SPIKE™ System Repair
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1 Stern SPIKE™ System Repair
1.1 Introduction
The SPIKE™ System is the current board system used by Stern Pinball. The first full production game to use the SPIKE Board Set was Wrestlemania in 2015. The SPIKE architecture is a large departure from prior board set architectures. Per Stern, "The SPIKE Pinball system is rugged, distributed, and embedded platform custom-designed for the rigors of the pinball machine environment".
The SPIKE system is comprised of a CPU board and a series of several "node boards" that are powered from a 48VDC power bus. Each SPIKE "node board" will regulate this 48VDC down to the proper voltage required to operate the "devices" under control of that node (lamps, coils, switches, etc). Nodes are connected with standard CAT 5e (or better) 8 conductor Ethernet wiring although the interface protocol is not Ethernet, and connecting a SPIKE node to computer Ethernet will damage the board (per Stern). There are several node boards mounted to the bottom side of the playfield to control the various lamps, coils, and switches on the playfield. There is one "cabinet" node board located next to the plumb bob tilt assembly which controls start button, tilt, coin door, diagnostic switches, dollar bill acceptor, shaker motor, ticket dispenser, coin meters, etc.
1.2 Games
1.2.1 SPIKE 1
| Date | Name | Pro | Premium | Limited Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Transformers, The Pin | One Model | ||
| 2013 | Avengers, The Pin | One Model | ||
| 2015 | Wrestlemania | Yes | No | Yes (400 max) |
| 2015 | Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ | One Model | ||
| 2015 | KISS | Yes | Yes | Yes (600 max) |
| 2015 | Game of Thrones | Yes | Yes | Yes (700 max) |
| 2016 | Ghostbusters | Yes | Yes | Yes (500 max) |
| 2016 | Pabst Can Crusher | One Model | ||
| 2016 | Spider-Man, The Pin | One Model | ||
| 2018 | Primus | One Model | ||
| 2018 | Supreme | One Model | ||
1.2.2 SPIKE 2
| Date | Name | Pro | Premium | Limited Edition | Other Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Batman 66 | No | Yes | Yes (240 max) | Super LE (80 max) |
| 2017 | Aerosmith | Yes | Yes | Yes (500 max) | |
| 2017 | Star Wars (Stern) | Yes | Yes | Yes (800 max) | |
| 2017 | Guardians of the Galaxy | Yes | Yes | Yes (600 max) | |
| 2018 | Iron Maiden (Stern) | Yes | Yes | Yes (500 max) | |
| 2018 | Deadpool | Yes | Yes | Yes (500 max) | |
| 2018 | Beatles | Gold (1614 max) | Platinum (250 max) | Diamond (100 max) | |
| 2019 | The Munsters | Yes | Yes | Yes (600 max) | |
| 2019 | Black Knight: Sword of Rage | Yes | Yes | Yes (600 max) | |
| 2019 | Jurassic Park (Stern) | Yes | Yes | Yes (500 max) | |
| 2019 | Star Wars Pin | One Model | |||
| 2019 | Elvira's House of Horrors | No | Yes | Yes (400 max) | Signature Edition (50 max), 40th Anniversary Edition (199 max) released 10/2021 |
| 2019 | Stranger Things | Yes | Yes | Yes (500 max) | |
| 2020 | Heavy Metal | One Model | |||
| 2020 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Stern) | Yes | Yes | Yes (500 max) | |
| 2020 | The Avengers Infinity Quest | Yes | Yes | Yes (500 max) | |
| 2020 | Led Zeppelin | Yes | Yes | Yes (500 max) | |
| 2021 | Star Wars The Mandalorian | Yes | Yes | Yes (750 max) | |
| 2021 | Godzilla | Yes | Yes | Yes (1000 max) | 70th Anniversary Premium released 7/2024 |
| 2021 | Jurassic Park Pin | One Model | |||
| 2022 | Rush | Yes | Yes | Yes (1000 max) | |
| 2022 | James Bond 007 | Yes | Yes | Yes (1000 max) | 60th Anniversary LE (500 max) |
| 2023 | Foo Fighters | Yes | Yes | Yes (1000 max) | |
| 2023 | Venom | Yes | Yes | Yes (1000 max) | |
| 2023 | Jaws | Yes | Yes | Yes (1000 max) | |
| 2024 | John Wick | Yes | Yes | Yes (1000 max) | |
| 2024 | The Uncanny X-Men | Yes | Yes | Yes (811 max) | |
| 2024 | Metallica Remastered | No | Yes | Yes (500 max) | |
1.3 Recommended Documentation
1.3.1 Manuals
As always, it is highly recommended to possess a game manual. Every game manual is full of detailed information regarding game specific switch, lamp, and coil assignments. Equally, details for maneuvering through test, audit, and bookkeeping screen menus, schematics for all boards used, and game specific mechanical assemblies are included.
The most current versions of the game manuals are posted on Stern's website in the support section.
- Game of Thrones manuals - Pro, Premium & LE
- Ghostbusters manuals - Pro, Premium & LE
- Batman '66 manuals - Premium & LE, Super LE
- Aerosmith manuals - Pro, Premium & LE
- Star Wars manuals - Pro, Premium & LE, Comic Pro, Comic Premium & LE
- Iron Maiden manuals - Pro, Premium & LE
- Deadpool manuals - Pro, Premium & LE
- Beatles manuals - Gold/Platinum/Diamond
- The Munsters manuals - Pro, Premium & LE
- Black Knight: Sword of Rage manuals - Pro, Premium & LE
- Jurassic Park manuals - Pro, Premium & LE
- Star Wars The Pin - Manual
- Elvira's House of Horrors - Premium, LE, & SE
- Stranger Things manuals - Pro, Premium & LE
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles manuals - Pro, Premium & LE
- The Avengers: Infinity Quest - Pro, Premium & LE
- Led Zeppelin - Pro, Premium & LE
- The Mandalorian - Pro, Premium & LE
- Godzilla - Pro, Premium & LE
- Jurassic Park The Pin - Manual
- Rush - Pro, Premium & LE
- James Bond 007 Pro, Premium & LE, 60TH LE
- Foo Fighters - Pro, Premium & LE
- Venom - Pro, Premium & LE
- Jaws - Pro, Premium & LE
1.3.2 Schematics
Some Stern Spike schematics can be found here.
1.3.2.1 SPIKE 1
| Game | 520-6936-01 or 520-6936-10 SPIKE-1 CPU Node Board |
520-5319-00 Cabinet Node Board |
520-6967-xx Cabinet Node Board |
520-6935-10 8-Coil Playfield Node Board |
520-6985-72 8-Coil Playfield Node Board |
520-5322-xx 32-Light & Switch Node Board |
520-5329-10 4-Coil Playfield Node Board |
520-5345-01 Trough Serial Opto Receiver Extension Board |
Topper | Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whoa Nellie | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 | Node 10 | Node 9 & 11 | |||||
| KISS Prem/LE | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8, 9, & 10 | Node 11 | 8a | |||||
| Game of Thrones Prem/LE | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 11 | Node 9 & 10 | 8b | |||||
| Ghostbusters Prem/LE | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | Node 10 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) | Node 24 - 520-6988-00 LCD Node (Ecto Goggles) |
1.3.2.2 SPIKE 2
| Game | 509-1000-00 SPIKE-2 CPU Node Board |
509-1003-01 SPIKE-2 CPU Node Board |
520-6967-xx Cabinet Node Board |
520-7017-72 or 520-1057-00 8-Coil Playfield Node Board |
520-6998-72 4-Coil Playfield Node Board |
520-6976-72A SPI Core Playfield Node Board 520-6976-72D |
520-7001-00, 520-7001-00, 520-1051-00, or 520-8516-00 Trough Serial Opto Receiver Extension Board |
520-6996-00A Motor Driver Board |
Topper | Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batman 66 | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | 9c | Node 10 - 520-7019-72 Turntable Node, Node 24 - LCD Node (Villain Vision) | ||||
| Aerosmith | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | 8e | Node 10 - 520-5329-10 Playfield 48V 4-Coil node board (Prem/LE only) | ||||
| Star Wars (Pro) | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | Node 10 | 8a | |||||
| Star Wars (Prem/LE) | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | Node 11 | Node 10 | 8a | 9d | |||
| Guardians of the Galaxy (Pro) | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | ||||||
| Guardians of the Galaxy (Prem/LE) | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | Node 11 | Node 10 | 8a | 9b | |||
| Iron Maiden (Pro) | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | ||||||
| Iron Maiden (Prem/LE) | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | Node 10 | 8a | |||||
| Deadpool | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | ||||||
| Beatles | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | ||||||
| Munsters | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | ||||||
| Black Knight: Sword of Rage | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | ||||||
| Jurassic Park (Pro) | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | ||||||
| Jurassic Park (Prem/LE) | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | 9b | Node (unlabeled) - 520-8424-00 - (Back panel) Stepper Motor Driver board | ||||
| Star Wars The Pin | Node 0 | Node 8 | 8c | |||||||
| Elvira's House of Horrors | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) 520-6998-72 |
|||||
| Stranger Things | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) | Node 9a1 - 520-8418-00 - Dual Motor Driver Lamp board | ||||
| Heavy Metal | Node 0 | Node 8 | 8c | |||||||
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | Node 9a5 - 520-8418-00 - Motor Driver Board-Lamp Drive (Prem/LE only) | |||||
| The Avengers Infinity Quest | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) 520-6976-72 |
Node 8c - 520-8466-00 - Magnetic Angle Sensor | ||||
| Led Zeppelin | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) 520-8087-72 |
Node 2 (optional) - 520-8087-72 - SPI Node-PWM - Cabinet Lighting | ||||
| The Mandalorian | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) 520-8530-00 HDMI Adapter-Topper |
|||||
| Godzilla | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) 520-8511-00 |
Node 4 - 509-2020-00 - QR Reader Node Node 10 - 520-5781-02 - Stepper Motor (Prem/LE only) | ||||
| Jurassic Park The Pin | Node 0 | Node 8 | 8b | |||||||
| Rush | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) 520-6998-72 |
Node 4 - 509-2020-00 - QR Reader Node Node 2 (Optional) - 520-8511-00 - Expression Lighting Node 9a4 - 520-8543-00 - Time Machine PCB (Prem/LE only) Node 10 - 520-5781-02 - Stepper Motor (Prem/LE only) | ||||
| James Bond (Pro/Premium/LE) | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) 520-8087-72 |
Node 4 - 509-2020-00 - QR Reader Node Node 9b - 520-6996-00 - PCB Serial Dual Motor Driver (Prem/LE only) | ||||
| James Bond (60th Anniversary LE) | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | Node 7 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) 520-8087-72 |
Node 4 - 509-2020-00 - QR Reader Node Node 6 - 520-5379-14 - Stepper Motor Node Board | |||
| Foo Fighters | Node 0 | Node 1 | Node 8 & 9 | 8a | Node 12 (optional) 520-5370-72 |
Node 4 - 509-2020-00 - QR Reader Node Node 2 (Optional) - 520-5370-72 - Expression Lighting (Prem/LE only) |
Notes:
- 509-1000-00 replaced by 509-1003-01
- For the Star Wars Pin (Home Edition), Node 8 subsumes the functions performed by the cabinet node board (typically Node 1 on other Spike machines).
- As per a service released in September 2022, node board 520-7017-72 (blue board) is being replaced by 520-1057-00 (green board). The boards were stated to be interchangeable.
1.3.3 Service Bulletins
Service bulletins detailed any problems or issues with games that were discovered after they were released. Stern publishes these on their service bulletins page.
| Service Bulletin | Date | Game(s) | Summary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (unnumbered) | 2022-09-30 | General | Parts advisory: Node board update | Node board 520-7017-72 (blue board) is being replaced by 520-1057-00 (green board). The boards were stated to be interchangeable. |
| (unnumbered) | 2022-06-07 | Rush | Service advisory: Rush scoop switch | |
| (unnumbered) | 2022-06-07 | Rush | Service advisory: Rush scoop protector | |
| (unnumbered) | 2022-05-26 | Avengers Infinity Quest | Service advisory: Avengers spinning disc adjustment | |
| (unnumbered) | 2020-01-03 | SPIKE 2 games | Service advisory: Guided setup mode | |
| (unnumbered) | 2018-05-01 | General | Service advisory: Shaker motors | |
| 191 | 2017-12-29 | Guardians of the Galaxy | Metal bracket protector | For GOTG Pro games prior to serial number 275330 |
| 190 | 2017-11-16 | Ghostbusters, Batman, Aerosmith, Star Wars | Core node capacitor service | |
| 189 | 2017-11-16 | Ghostbusters, Batman, Aerosmith, Star Wars | Core node stabilization | |
| 188 | 2016-12-30 | Ghostbusters | Ghostbusters flasher #129 | |
| 187 | 2016-11-21 | Ghostbusters | Ecto goggles shield kit | |
| 186 | 2015-08-27 | KISS, Metallica, X-Men | Scoop switch adjustment | |
| 185 | 2015-07-20 | Whoa Nelly, Kiss, WWE | SPIKE system updates | |
| 184 | 2015-06-12 | General | Third party shaker motors |
|
1.4 Technical Info
1.4.1 The SPIKE Board Set
Stern has issued a technical video discussing the Spike 1 system boards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvefdrNaAPg
There is a well done video by Stern, featuring George Gomez, describing the Spike 2 system boards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1xdmgeAylQ&t=190s
Spike 1 CPU board installed in a Ghostbusters.
1.4.2 Accessing Bookkeeping, Settings, and Diagnostic Modes
Spike system games use four pushbutton switches (located on the coin door) to access the bookkeeping, adjustments, and diagnostics very much like Williams WPC series machines do. The black pushbutton enters the menu while the two red + and - pushbuttons step you through the menu (also act as volume up and volume down). If you want to go backwards, push the green button (it acts like "escape" function).
1.4.3 Node Board Information
Node board library.
1.4.3.1 SPIKE 1 CPU - 520-5318-01
Node 0 in the backbox. Used in the home version "The Pin" games: Avengers/Transformers The Pin
1.4.3.2 SPIKE 1 CPU - 520-6936-xx
Node 0 in the backbox.
Part numbers:
- 520-6936-00
- 520-6936-00A
- 520-6936-01
- 520-6936-10 (Video Out Support; Backward compatible with -00)
- 520-6936-10B
- 520-6936-11
1.4.3.3 SPIKE 2 CPU - 509-1000-01 & 509-1003-01
Node 0 in the backbox.
- 509-1000-01 was only used on the first two SPIKE 2 games (Batman 66 and Aerosmith).
- 509-1003-01 was used in all subsequent SPIKE 2 games to date.
This CPU came in two variations: a 50Hz version for European games, and a 60Hz version for USA games. The European electrical grid runs on 50Hz power, while the USA runs on 60Hz.
If bringing a game from one electrical region to another, two known methods to convert a game are to replace the CPU, or use an external voltage transformer with a frequency converter.
Node 0 in the backbox. Used in the home version "The Pin" games: Avengers/Transformers The Pin
1.4.3.4 Node Board - 520-7019-72A
This node board was used on at least BM66.
1.4.3.5 Node 10 Board - 520-5781-02
The part that is most often damaged on this board is U1, a TMC5041-LA.
1.4.3.6 520-5331-00D Grinder Board
The "Grinder" board was used in at least AC/DC and Metallica (both S.A.M. games) to drive general illumination LEDs. Schematics for the board can be found in the Metallica manual (best) and the AC/DC manual.
It appears to be an "open loop" driver, with one way communication from the MPU/Driver to the Grinder board via the ethernet connector. The onboard microcontroller must be flashed with Stern proprietary code, making owner repair of this board problematic.
Although the schematics indicate use of an A8498 voltage regulator, that part does not appear on the actual board, nor do solder pads to accommodate the part.
| Part | Function | Locations (size) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATTiny4313-SU | microcontroller | U3 (SOIC-20) | not available as of 3/5/23 |
| STP16CPC26TTR | LED driver | U2, U5, U6 (TSSOP24) | not available as of 3/5/23 |
| A8498SLJTR-T | Voltage regulator | U7, not stuffed | not available as of 3/5/23 |
| ZXMN7A11KTC | 70V N-Channel 6.1A MOSFET | Q1-Q4 | available as of 3/5/23 |
| MAX232DR 11KTC | RS232 interface | U4 (SOIC-Narrow-16) | available as of 3/5/23 |
1.4.3.7 Cabinet Node Board - 520-6967-72B
LED indicators on the board:
- Red: 48 volts is present at the board
- Yellow: Board is communicating with cpu board
- Green: 6 volts is present at the board
Ghostbusters # 520-6967-00 (replaced by 520-6967-72) Cabinet Node Board connectors:
- CN1: Universal Card link (if present on your particular board)
- CN2: Low tickets warning in ticket dispenser
- CN3: To Meter #1 (usually coin counter, use a 12 volt meter)
- CN4: To Meter #2 (usually tickets out, use a 12 volt meter)
- CN5: From Coin Door coin switches and coin entry LED lights
- CN6: Left cabinet switch inputs (tilt, start, etc)
- CN7: Right cabinet switch inputs
- CN8: From electronic coin mechanism (for export machines only)
- CN9: From Dollar Bill Acceptor
- CN10: From coin door volume and diagnostic switches
- CN11: Ticket dispenser
- CN12: Volume and diagnostic switches output to cpu board connector CN25
- CN13: RJ45 Node Data Bus
- CN14: 48 volts DC power input
- CN15: Optional spare LED +5 volt power source
- CN16: To shaker motor
1.4.3.8 LED driver board - 520-8533-00A
1.4.3.9 32-Light & Switch Board - 520-5322-xx
There are two known board revisions: Revision E and revision H (notated on the board as 520-5322-00E or 520-5322-00H)
This board currently has 5 known designations based on the game code installed on it. Otherwise, the physical hardware appears to be the same. Note that installing a board in the wrong game will (at minimum) prevent it from working.
- 520-5322-00: Some documentation indicates when this was offered online purchase, it was in an unconfigured board with no code (thus did not work in certain games, such as Star Trek). Game manuals indicate this board originally came with WWE Wrestlemania Pro (SPIKE game), Star Trek Pro/Premium/LE (SAM games), KISS Pro/Premium/LE (SPIKE game)
- 520-5322-10: The Walking Dead Pro/Premium/LE (Note: SAM games)
- 520-5322-20: Star Trek Pro/Premium/LE (Note: SAM games)
- 520-5322-30: WWE Wrestlemania Pro, KISS Pro (and likely Premium/LE), Pabst Can Crusher, Primus (SPIKE games)
- 520-5322-72: Whoa Nelly, Pabst Can Crusher, Primus (SPIKE games)
1.4.3.10 Spike 2 Dual Motor Control Board - 520-8414-00
This board appears on at least the following games:
- Elvira's House of Horrors
- Mandalorian
- Stranger Things (drives the ramp)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1.4.3.11 Spike 2 Dual Motor Control Board - 520-5781-02
This board appears on at least the following games:
- Godzilla Premium and LE
- Rush Premium and LE
1.4.3.12 Trough Serial Opto Receiver Extension Board
Part numbers:
- 520-8516-00 (current version)
- 520-1051-00
- 520-7001-00
- 520-5345-00 (initial version)
1.4.4 Dollar Bill Acceptors
The Spike system machines come with a bill acceptor coin door and dollar bill acceptor wiring harness already installed. Many are wired for using 120 volts AC powered bill acceptors (Mars/MEI AE-2411-300 is recommended), but there are reports some machines are wired for 12 volts DC models instead. Here is a Ghostbusters which comes wired for 120 volts AC power for the bill acceptor.
1.4.5 Optional Equipment
This power supply for 12 volt and 5 volt accessory items has four Molex output jacks and is fused:
Power supply for backbox mounting
This power supply is the same as above except it mounts in the lower cabinet near the cashbox:
Power supply for lower cabinet mounting
This 8 way splitter provides eight 12 volt only Molex jacks and mounts only in the backbox:
8 Way splitter for backbox mounting
Knocker Kit provides a real knocker:
Real Knocker Kit for Spike 1 and Spike 2
1.4.6 Linux OS
Spike's central CPU node in the backbox runs Linux. The hardware is a derivative of the NXP i.MX6 Wandboard.
The SD card has ext4 partitions, the most interesting being the root filesystem and /games. The rootfs contains a yocto build with no toolchain or kernel headers, but cross-compilation is possible using gcc-arm-linux-gnueabihf.
There is a serial console on connector CN2. This connector is generally not populated. It's also possible to configure the Ethernet port for remote access.
The game executable has a text-based interactive debug interface with some interesting options:
commands:
adj: perform operations on adjustments.
amp: amp system interface.
aud: perform operations on audits.
coil: fire a coil.
credit: manipulate credits.
debug: get debug information.
display: display system interface.
dsp: DSP interface.
knocker: perform operations on the knocker.
le: lamp effect system interface.
mode: interact with modes.
node: node diagnostics commands.
nv: get non-volatile ram info.
proc: get information about processes.
red: redemption interface.
replay: replay interface.
scene_cache: scene cache system interface.
score: manipulate player scores.
sound: sound system interface.
textsafe: show text safe region.
video_display: video display system interface.
Some more information can be found here:
* https://docs.missionpinball.org/en/latest/hardware/spike/connection.html * https://pastebin.com/raw/RryUb8iC
1.5 Problems and Solutions
1.5.1 Power Problems
The main power supply is 48 volts @ 10.5 amps and has a cooling fan. Some versions have the fan on the front of the power supply while others may have the fan mounted on the top. Power supply is a Mean Well # RSP-500-48 (Jameco Electronics # 2198014).
Ghostbusters wiring interconnection label.
1.5.1.1 Excessive "clicking" in some 2023 games
SternSpikePS.jpg
An excellent analysis and repair recommendation was posted by PinSider "PinMonk" regarding excessive "clicking" in some modern Stern games.
The post can be found here.
1.5.1.2 Noisy Power Supply Fan
There have been reports of the fan on the switching regulator 48 volt power supply becoming too loud. There is now a plug n play replacement fan kit. The fan in the kit is a lot quieter.
1.5.1.3 Relocating the Power Switch
One complaint with Spike machines is the fact the power on-off switch is located in the backbox. If the machine is located in a bank of machines, it may be difficult to reach the power switch. Some people have ordered a Stern # 515-7085-00 Power Switch and Bracket assembly and mounted it in the usual right front bottom cabinet location. Then wires are run up to the backbox and connected in place of the backbox power switch. Stern installs a shaker motor in the right front of the cabinet now. So the shaker motor (if installed) must be relocated farther back in the cabinet (about 6 inches) to the other side of the wooden divider.
Stern Power Switch and Mounting Bracket Assembly
1.5.2 MPU boot issues
If the MPU doesn't boot, check that the memory card is firmly seated in its slot on the MPU board. Also, you can try re-seating the memory card. Sometimes this fixes Spike games that won't boot.
1.5.3 Game resets
Some reset/slam tilt problems have been traced to the shaker motor. Please check the shaker motor service advisory
Game software bugs are often the source of random crashes. This manifests itself as the screen freezing while the flippers still work for a while. The OS will eventually restart the game program and it returns to the attraction mode. This is very common in early software revisions for new titles.
A failing memory card can also cause game resets. This causes the game to crash when specific video is running or it may just go into a boot loop.
1.5.4 Stern Insider Connected Displays Invalid Factory Config Message
As of September 2022, it was discovered that installing a new replacement Spike 2 MPU into a game causes the Stern Insider Connected feature to stop working and display the message when accessing the Insider Connected setup screen: "This machine has an invalid Factory Config. Contact your distributor."
To fix the problem, contact Stern support. The MPU will need to be shipped to Stern, where they will use proprietary software to program the board. Once the MPU is returned and installed, Stern Insider Connected should start functioning again.
1.5.5 Solenoid problems
1.5.6 Lamp problems
Spike system uses LED driver boards that are daisy chained together and receive their communication from the nearest node board over SPI bus. Each node board may have their own set of LED driver boards. The LED driver boards themselves often house several surface mounted LEDs to cover areas with higher concentration of feature lights. The LED boards also have direct outputs to either individual single LED boards or larger boards that house multiple LEDs. These smaller LED boards have no onboard logic. Note that LED driver boards are not the only type of devices controlled by the SPI bus, as there are for example motor control boards that are part of the LED driver board daisy chains.
1.5.6.1 Directly controlled LED boards
These boards house single or multiple LEDs and have no other logic on them. They are fed 5 volts by the LED driver board above them and as many grounds as there are LEDs on the board. RGB LEDs have individual grounds for each color. The simplest variant has typically the wires soldered directly onto it, larger ones have connectors. Typical failure modes include cracked soldering points and loose wires. Should the LEDs themselves fail, surface mount soldering skills are needed. All normal shaped boards are however readily available from Stern.
1.5.6.2 LED driver board
These boards receive lamp control commands from a node board above them and translate that into individual LED control signals. The signals and 5 volt feed for the logic and LEDs comes through the connector marked as "SERIAL IN". The next board in the chain is connected to the "SERIAL OUT" connector. The rest of the connectors are individual LED drives. These boards also often have LEDs on them. Replacing components requires surface mount soldering skills, but the most commonly cracked soldering points tend to be the Molex connectors, that can be reflowed with a thin soldering iron tip. Since the LEDs on these boards need to be on specific places, these are game-specific and in some cases game variant (pro/premium/LE) specific.
One very common failure mode is bad connection for the serial in/out connector. This causes complete blackout, severe flickering or incorrectly lit lamps. Since the following board(s) receive their data over the same connector, the symptom is also observed in the following boards, including non-LED boards.
1.5.7 Switch problems
1.5.7.1 Long Range Opto Problems
"Long Range Opto" - part numbers TX "515-0215-00" and RX "515-0215-01" boards, and TX "515-6940-00" and RX "515-6940-01" boards
These opto switches are failing due to what seems to be an inferior part choice on the receiver side. The receiver seems to lock the switch in an "open" position, even if the IR light is blocked. Power cycling the RX board seems to "reset" and temporarily "fix" it.
Stern has not currently supplied a schematic or part list for this board, so it's difficult to find out what the original parts are, but due to the fact the IR transmitter LED and the IR receivers IR frequencies need to be matched really close to detect properly, both must be replaced with a new matched set.
The same parts work for the old and new part numbered boards.
- Replace the TX IR LED with "HSDL-4220" Lite-on 875nm 30 deg. IR LED.
- Replace RX phototransistor with "SFH313FA" Osram 870nm NPN transistor.
- Replace the switching transistor "2N7002" for the sake of reliability.
The 2N7002 transistor is an extremely small surface mounted transistor, and it can be difficult to line up and solder in place.
1.5.8 Display problems
Starting with Pirates of the Caribbean (a S.A.M. board set game), Stern replaced the normal Plasma Dot Matrix Display on European models with an LED variant because of the RoHS law. They first used PinLED DMDs, and later, switched to a red DMD specifically made for them (520-5052-05). The debate which looks better will be going on for your remaining lifetime and continue right into your next few lives.
1.5.8.1 LED DMD bad vertical line
If a game is always showing a semi-bright vertical line on the DMD, usually one of the LED segments is bad. Fortunately the bad segment can be found easily. As shown in the picture to the left, one pixel in the line is always dark. This 8x8 segment is the bad guy and needs to be replaced. The good thing is that this problem usually occurs with NIB games just after a few hours or days of game play so the DMD is still under warranty. If not, ask Stern for the availability of the LED segments. When replacing a block, be advised that the vias are small and are difficult to remove without the proper equipment.
1.5.9 Sound problems
The Spike 1 cpu board connector CN1 is the 2 channel backbox speaker output (two 4 ohm @ 10 watt 4 inch square speakers, use Stern # 031-5004-02). Connector CN4 is the lower cabinet woofer speaker output (one 8 ohm @ 20 watt 8 inch round speaker, use Stern # 031-5007-01).
CN1 pinout:
- 1: Black-White backbox right speaker -.
- 2: Red-White backbox right speaker +.
- 3: Key
- 4: Black backbox left speaker -.
- 5: Red backbox left speaker +.
CN4 pinout:
- 1: Yellow-Black lower cabinet woofer speaker output -.
- 2: Yellow-White lower cabinet woofer speaker output +.
CN18 (TRS headphone 3.5mm jack) pinout:
- TIP: headphone left, 8 ohm, 200mw maximum output
- RING: headphone right, 8 ohm, 200mw maximum output
- SLEEVE: Audio ground
CN27 Preamp (line) output to feed sound to an external monaural amplifier or subwoofer amplifier:
- 1: Line out +, 600 ohms
- 2: Line out ground
- 3: Line out -, 600 ohms
The latest game codes now have speaker impedance settings for whether 4 ohm or 8 ohm speakers are installed in the machine. Added UTIL->VOL adjustments, Speaker Balance, backbox speaker type, and cabinet speaker type for Spike 1 and 2 games.
1.5.10 Flipper problems
See Common Flipper Troubleshooting for general flipper information.
1.5.10.1 Issues with Coil Stops with Brass Bushings
Stern switched to a coil stop bracket that uses a brass bushing behind the coil stop. After some time and the repeated hits of the flipper's plunger, the bushing gets mashed down and deformed. The stop develops excess movement and wears the brass bushing out even further and the stop becomes very loose. This causes damage to the coil sleeve and plunger end due to the movement and misalignment. Brass dust can then be found sprinkled in the bottom of the cabinet just inside the coin door. This damage causes the plunger to drag or even catch in the sleeve. It is recommended to replace the coil stop bracket with ones that do not have this brass bushing. A loose stop that has just started to wear out its bushing can temporarily be repaired by pushing the stop tightly against the bracket and peening the riveted end with a ball peen hammer. A center punch and some carefully applied hits near the center and the edges will also tighten up the factory rivet. The stop's brass bushing (if there is any left) will still continue to deform, and the stop will work loose again, but this quick fix will buy some time until the coil stop can be replaced.
1.5.10.2 Flipper button switch contacts
The contact area in flipper button switches is a thin, laser welded piece of wire. If this contact part falls off, the related flipper starts acting erratically. Check that both sides of the contacts are intact.
1.5.11 Pop bumper problems
1.5.12 Opto problems
1.5.13 Shaker Motor Problems
The shaker motor connects to connector CN16 (CN2 on early boards) on the cabinet node board located next to the plumb bob tilt. It will be labeled Shaker Motor.
The pinout of CN16 is this:
- 1: Shaker motor - (Blue wire)
- 2: Shaker motor - (optional extra connection)
- 3: Shaker motor + (optional extra connection)
- 4: Key
- 5: Shaker motor + (Red wire)
Genuine Stern SPIKE Shaker motor causes mysterious slam tilts during game:
If your shaker motor is damaged or worn out, you can purchase just the motor itself if desired.
Replacement Spike/Sam shaker motor only
1.5.13.1 Third Party Shaker Motors
All current SPIKE™ games allow for a shaker motor, but it should be a SPIKE shaker motor, not a SAM-system shaker motor (SAM is the previous system). After the initial launch of SPIKE™ games, it was discovered that motors from third-party manufacturers (in particular Pinball Life) had a capacitor that caused problems, and will blow out the node board. Service Bulletin 184 advises against using third-party shaker motors entirely. Installation will void the game's warranty.
The symptom of this problem is that the Start button, plumb bob, and coin door GI lamps won't work; that is, the game becomes unplayable.
Some owners have reported that removing the capacitor from the third-party motor will fix the problem. Stern's public position is that owners should spend the extra money and buy an OEM motor. Many vendors do not clearly differentiate between an OEM part and a third-party part.
Genuine Stern Spike shaker motor kit
Third party Spike shaker motor kit
All SPIKE system games already have the holes for a shaker motor pre-drilled and 10-32 T-Nuts already installed for mounting the shaker motor to the right of the cashbox.
1.5.14 Missing Playfield Slide Brackets on Pro Models
Starting with the Pro model of WWE, Stern removed the playfield slide brackets and replaced them with a couple of cheap pieces of threaded rod covered in heat shrink tubing and a ball shooter tip. This was so you could pull the playfield toward you a bit and rest those "pegs" on the lockdown receiver to service under the playfield. That didn't work very well if you needed to get to something at the very back of the playfield. Pinball Life has reproduced the playfield slide brackets as a set. Once installed, the playfield can be pulled out a lot farther to make it easier to work at the rear of the playfield. Premium and LE models already have the playfield slide brackets installed.
Spike cabinet playfield slide bracket kit
Note: It now appears, starting with Iron Maiden, that Stern has gone back to installing the metal slide brackets on the bottom of the playfields on Pro models.
1.6 References
1.7 Game Specific Problems and Fixes
Ghostbusters Premium and LE models damaged Ecto Goggles LCD screen. Air balls flying up and hitting/damaging the LCD screen on the Ecto Goggles unit. Stern issued a service bulletin about this problem and came up with a metal shield to install on the machine to prevent this from happening.
Ecto Goggles Shield Kit Service Bulletin
Guardians of the Galaxy Groot's motor behaves erratically. Motor itself seems fine, but ceases to function at random. The driver board for the motor is at the end of a very long SPI bus daisy chain, starting from the lower node board, going through several LED driver boards before the motor board. A bad connection in any of the previous board causes the motor control board to freeze. This issue also causes erratic LED behavior, but in the beginning it may be too brief to notice. Reseat the SERIAL IN/OUT connectors above the motor control board one by one. Once you find the problematic one, then replace the connector.