Not much inside. Linkage and a motor. Have a look inside for anything obvious.

LTG : )

I'm having the same issue. I've been in touch with JJP, and they've suggested they've had issues with the quality of their ethernet cables. I've purchased a new 4 ft cable to swap out with the Smaug controller board cable (pages C-78 and C-79 in the manual).

I'll report back eventually, wish me luck.

I have the same problem let me know how you fix it.

Smaug is the number one frustration for me maintaining this game. It is too finicky, and especially sensitive to the level of the game.

Reviving this old thread - did you ever get this resolved?

I gots problem trolled

I would check the hobbit thread. Smaugs mouth opening is usually a motor issue.

Hi all, I am having trouble with smaug moving left and right. Mouth moves fine but that’s it he doesn’t move otherwise. Any suggestions? I tried reseating connectors.

Smaug on my Hobbit Smaug Gold Edition is doing the same. I was able to get the head to turn to the left using the device test menu, but now it won't turn to the right. It appears to be stuck to the left now. If I make any discoveries, I'll share some photos to resolve.

I was able to resolve my issue by re-seating the yellow RJ-45 cable at the base of the dragon head under the playfield. Problem solved. I believe I've read this is a known issue in other postings? Is there a fix to replace the cable or is the board itself the issue that needs the cable to be re-seated from time to time. Does anyone know?

I have exactly the same issue. I am thinking of replacing the cable. Your fix, if like mine, will work for a while.

Our Hobbit has returned home to be shopped out, it has had problems with smaugs movement for some time. I pulled the dragon head apart completely to see if something was binding that would prevent the dragon head from moving all the way to the right. I was thinking there could be a bad opto or something, everything seemed fine, now I put it back together and nothing seems to work right. lol. My question right now is, in the mouth test mode there is a min and max adjustment for motor movement, is there any way to tell what the value is for where the motor is now? In the test mode the motor doesn't seem to move at all, but if I try and move it manually there is some resistance there.

Sounds like your mouth servo is toast. I'd also check the board that controls the mouth servo and see if there is any heat damage.

Setting those mouth end points correctly so the servo isn't binding and pulling a ton of amps is really important. Most people don't pay attention to it and then the servo gives up the ghost.

I havent played much Hobbit and seen this issue in for sale posts. Question is it just a visual problem or does this affect gameplay at all?

It's purely aesthetic, ours has been messed up for a long time, and we never even got a call on it, I noticed it when I'd go there to fix some other stuff.

Any idea on what a good replacement would be? Ours is a HK15288a, looks like its currently unavailable. Maybe I'll just shoot an email to JJP.