Stern JP GI and node board issue

[Chaggers]

My stern JP Pro has developed a fault today and I'm wondering if anyone can shed any light on it
Will try and explain as best I can
Firstly as game boots up I get a message saying [CHECKING NODE BOARDS 9]
Then following that [OPERATING ALERT TROUGH MALFUNCTION ]
When I go into diagnostics and check node 9 settings it comes up with a GI fault and all top left side GI bulbs are out
So far I have changed every bulb on that chain but no change
I've also checked all wires for any damage or shorts I can physically see but nothing showing
I have looked at node 9 board and traced wires from cn15 to last GI on chain but don't know if this is the bulb I need to concentrate on or whether it's because it's last on chain
I've pulled out cn15 connector and repowered machine incase it might of re-set itself but no change
obviously this is a spike 2 board
I've tried to put photos In order of events
Hope someone can help me with this
I will point out that game plays fine and ball trough works fine too so I'm just wondering if it's a short of some sorts
Appreciate any feedback

 

[Stags6969]

Any mods or shaker motor plugged into that node board?

 

[Chris P]

It could be the node board, I’ve had a couple of node board failures over the years. If you have another spike game you could try swapping it if it uses the same board.

 

[Chaggers]

Shaker motor plugged into the board at front near coin door

 

[Chaggers]

It's not the same board though

 

[Stags6969]

Shaker motor plugged into the board at front near coin door

Have you tried unplugging the Shaker?

 

[Chaggers]

No I will try it now though

 

[Chaggers]

No still same problem with shaker unplugged

 

[kevlar]

Node board 8 and 9 are the same, swap them over to prove if it's the node board. Make sure you alter the dipswitches on the node boards to suit their position.

 

[Chaggers]

OK before I attempt to swap a board over
I've unplugged the GI cable from board and all faults have gone does this help eliminate anything before i try anything else?

 

[kevlar]

I thought I read you'd already tried that. Yes looks like there's no point swapping boards over. Best look closely at that GI string again. Remove all gi lamps in that string and if no fault add them one at a time.

 

[CHRIS B PINBALLS]

First thing don’t waste your time messing about with the shaker motor it’s nothing to do with node board 9 I really don’t know why people comment if they have no clue
It’s more than likely you have a shorted gi bulb holder it may be obvious it may not and require further testing of each bulb holder individually

 

[Chaggers]

Cheers yes can I take them all out them replace 1 by 1 as kevlar discussed

 

[Chaggers]

So I've taken all nine bulbs out of left side playfield which is connected/daisy chained to cn15
There is still a fault with them all out
Not sure where to go from here

 

[Pick Holder]

check lamp holders for shorts

 

[kevlar]

Like Chris said look at each bulb holder next closely, it only takes a hair of copper bridging the lugs to give the short. There's got to be one there somewhere. If still not found you could start de-soldering bulb holders.

 

[Colywobbles]

I will try have a shifty tomorrow some point as just got back from Jollies tonite.

 

[Chaggers]

OK col hopefully you can pop in tmrow I've triple checked all connections and holders it must be a bad solder as there's nothing on show

 

[Stags6969]

First thing don’t waste your time messing about with the shaker motor it’s nothing to do with node board 9 I really don’t know why people comment if they have no clue
It’s more than likely you have a shorted gi bulb holder it may be obvious it may not and require further testing of each bulb holder individually

Thanks Chris
I've learnt to keep my mouth shut and also learnt shakers are nothing to do with node board 9

 

[CHRIS B PINBALLS]

As kev said look closely and if nothing obvious then start de soldering bulb holder one at a time but as kev said also I would remove all the leds first could be just one of those gone bad but more likely bulb holder

 

[Colywobbles]

Popped over today and found the little bugger. It’s actually smaller than the pic makes it look and I’d have never thought this could have caused the short but everyday is a school day as they say so thx all.

It’s the tiny sliver of copper next to the point of the screw which is for size reference

 

[kevlar]

Well spotted Col, was it inside a lamp holder?

 

[Colywobbles]

Well spotted Col, was it inside a lamp holder?

Yep good call but in Johns defence I showed him before I removed and he couldn’t see it which goes to show the following formulae works:

62yr old eyes + glasses = find fault

40yr old eyes - glasses = misses fault.

Costco 4 pack for £15 I swear by em.

 

[Chaggers]

Haha yes you've p#seed on my parade again Colly but appreciate it
Maybes I might start hitting some wizard modes if pick some of them cheapo glasses up
Thanks everyone for the help too