I'd check the shooter lane switch first. See if it works and stays closed with a ball on it.

Be sure right number of balls in the game too.

LTG : )

This can be caused by a stuck switch on the playfield. (Ours did this for a bit, and a stand up was stuck closed.)
If the ball gets in the shooter lane and then points are scored by a stuck switch the machine will exit the song choice menu and launch the ball after a bit.
If it does this and your points are still at zero then I would suspect the shooter lane switch or maybe a bad connection on your trough boards.

I had this issue intermittently (1/30 games?) and I happen to reinstall the software and it has not happened since. I am not sure if there is any relation at all just thought I'd pass it along.

Go into switch test and look for an intermittent switch that opens/closes with slight vibration of the game. It could be a drop target opto (re-seat connectors).

Rob

Thanks everyone. Some of the ideas I have tried. Others, I will try this weekend. I have tried calling Stern but I have trouble getting them to answer their phone. I just keep hearing how valuable a customer I am and to please leave a message. It's frustrating. I am handicapped and I can't get to my machine in the basement at the snap of a finger, so if I do leave a message, chances are I won't be standing next to my game when & if they ever call back. I'm tired of wanting to play my machine, but having to fix it first. I went through "Hell" to get it as it was my Disability Retirement/Birthday gift from my wife. Now all I hear is how we spent that much money for something that doesn't even work. I'm just about ready to sell it and buy a game that works. I hear the "Hobbit" is looking interesting. Anyone know of someone looking for a Premium that's hardly used. Never left my basement. Looks pretty nice. Here's a picture of my baby. Enjoy.IMG_20150219_170756_763.jpg

Hi BigB

May as well try reseating the connectors to the small ball trough opto boards. If that fixes it, at some point remove them and reflow the solder on the optos and pins the connector plugs onto.

LTG : )

I wonder if the cannon button is stuck or thinking its closed. I know if you press the fire button it will launch as well.

Easy to check in switch test.

LTG : )

Wow this is actually an easy one to diagnose. It does not require a plethora of random ideas. Instead take a systematic approach and solve the problem.

The problem is caused by one of the in game switches being triggered when it should not be. The game thinks the ball is already in play and therefore bypasses the skill shot and song select. This is not something that will likely be solved by reseating connectors or reflowing solder randomly on a wild hunch. This does not sound like a ball trough related issue so that generic advise is a waste of time also (ball through problems exhibit different symptoms). This is not a software problem and will not be solved by reinstalling the same software again (which does nothing).

Get into the switch test. This is where you will solve the issue. From there, manually trigger every single switch in the game. Use the game manual switch chart to make sure you get all of them. You can use your hand to do them all most likely. You should see each one toggle state. Things to look for: switch is pulsing, switch is stuck on that shouldn't be. Also pound the playfield and see if a switch toggles from that. Figure out which switch is on and solve it by adjusting it most likely. If it's an opto it may require additional steps to repair.

UPDATE: Thanks for the great advice everyone. I have figured out the problem and solved the issue. Everything is working as it should so it looks like I won't have to sell it after all. I did get some nice offers though. People must really like this title because they are willing to give a lot for it, amazing. It's been out a few years now and it's worth more now than when it was NIB!
The culprit was a lane switch on the right side. It was stuck closed so the game thought there was already an active ball on the playfield and it was automatically kicking the ball onto the playfield. That also explains why I was getting points generated without the ball activating any switches. I adjusted the switch so that it is only activated when the balls rolls over it and all is good again. Thanks for the advice..... Later.... BigB