Very much doubt there's room to install optos there without shorting something out. That VUK is the worst thing about LOTR though. If it's not the stupid switch design, it's the VUK kicking too hard or not hard enough and the ball falling back down into it 3-5 times before sticking in the wireform. Was SUPER annoying.

I probably replaced my Shire VUK switch 6 times in the 3 years I had my LOTR. Replaced Gimli twice. The switches started to become scarce, so I bought 10 of them. Still have them even thought LOTR is now gone. Unfortunately just a LOTR characteristic.

I got pretty good at replacing them in 15 minutes or less, though!

Gimli switch is terrible on that game. We have one on location at Abari, and it gets a lot of play. We keep that little fork switch in stock at all times. Since its been on the floor (about 4 months), I just replaced it the third time.

There's a couple threads on it https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-to-install-shaker-motor-in-lotr-standard-edition
You also need to update your Sound OS to version 8, so you don't get the random callouts.

I use to have switch issues like this. Turned out the wires seemed to be loose on the Gimli vuk connector from unplugging it and reconnecting after when changing out the switch. Might be worth checking that out if you had to unplug it a lot.,

I know when we first got ours.. It would be out as many times as it worked.. I would spend lots of time bending and adjusting.. Only to have it break the silver y part.....,,,,,,After about 5 new switches... I must of gotten a good batch. NO problems since...

Also when I first changed the switch... I would solder it to long on install. And melt or damage it sometimes... Maybe that could be happening in your experience.. Good luck...

Having issues with mine as well. Could you post some pictures of what you did. I may try and duplicate it. Thanks!

This happens about as often on the vari-VUK target in RBION. I have both games and have replaced that Y switch on RBION a half dozen times; just replaced it for the first time on LOTR (which I've owned for just 3 months).

If the Stern ST switch works better, maybe that's what we should move to.

Data East owner here... I had inconsistent vuk issues, game went into ball search, etc. Turns out the Vuk assembly was sticking. I ended up using silicone lube on the kicker assembly. Smoothed it right out. Worth a shot!

Yes. Please post those and thanks for following up!

Looks good and makes sense. Has to be a stronger switch than that crappy fork switch.

So I replaced this switch with the Star Trek one. It passed the switch test, by now the gimli coil sets of a malfunction. It pumps up several times.

What did it do? Reverse wires? Only reconnected wires to the switch. Didn’t pay attention to that, by figured If passed the switch test it was fine.

Help.

Any chance the plunger is hitting the switch arm? If so, just bend the arm in so it doesn't hit and you should be fine.

Just had the wires the wrong way. Needed to adjust the switch a bit so it would trigger better, but I believe I have it back to normal.....thanks you!

I also have been having this problem since I got my LotR. The forked switch sucks and is pure garbage. I put in the Star Trek switch and now the thing works perfect. I posted a few additional pictures which show how I bent the “hooked” part of the switch where it meets the straight part. It just needs to be bent down a few degrees. I removed the rubber on the post just to the left of the VUK which allows you to stick in a needle nose and adjust it incrementally until the optimal angle is achieved. Just make double sure it doesn’t overhang the kicker, or you’ll probably destroy the switch in short order. It also has mostly fixed the issue of the ball falling out of the wireform. I suspect the fork acts as a spring that predisposes the ball to kick up at a slightly odd angle, thus greatly increasing the chances of the ball not perfectly catching the guide.
13F5E7B0-370C-44AA-98A1-3B1BD13DA30F (resized).jpeg459B3FDF-A745-4A44-A4A6-5C6E4E1CCBCE (resized).jpeg62770448-48F1-4937-82DC-9763A912463D (resized).jpeg

I am also went 3 weeks with the Gimli VUK working great with a fix similar to ST Pro. However, I am also getting the Gimli Coil malfunction now (as you mention, I get several attempted upkicks on empty Gimli target. I know the wires are correct and it's not touching the upkicker. Anyone know another reason why this may be failing.

Gimli VUK (resized).jpg