Hey guys. I've had my new LOTR for 5 days now and it has been great. I have encountered a small problem with the machine though. I've noticed that every time when you start "the fellowship of the ring" multiball mode by collecting the balls on Aragorn's sword (the big sword on the right side of the machine), the balls do not immediately release when the mode starts. The balls just sit there for about 15 seconds and then the machine goes into a ball search by activating all the mechanisims where a ball might be stuck. After doing this, the release gate lowers (because of the ball search) and the balls do release and go back into play and the machine plays fine. I was thinking it might be an error in the game's code but it would be hard to believe this because that would mean that all the LOTRs would have this same problem. I'm sure the machine has the latest and final code as well. Has anyone else come across this problem?

Thanks Robin. Its hard to believe that a switch on a brand new machine could have gone bad so quickly. I have to work out of town the next few days, so I unfortunately will not even get to look at the machine for another 2 or 3 days. I hope its a simple switch fix. Last night I gently pressed each one of the those 3 lock switches along with the one that goes up the ramp. Each one made a clicking sound like they worked. The one going up the ramp does register by finger and ball contact. I was not sure about how to test the 3 three lock switches or how they work. I pressed each one of them and nothing happened. No points registered or anything happened. I'll take a closer look when I back. So your pretty sure that its not a software issue ?

Thanks guys for all the suggestions and advice. I was away at work for the last few days and have not had a chance to look at the machine again since my original post. I live in central NY. I bought the game from PinballsSales (Jack G.) in NJ. Jack includes a 3 year warranty on all his new machines excluding bulbs and rubbers which makes sense so I'm sure these micro-switches will be covered under the warranty. From a brief inspection, it looks like part of the sword assembly will have to removed in order to get at the mirco-switches, then its finding which one is bad, removing it and re-soldering the diode back to the new switch. I'm assuming this is what will need to be done. I do not think Stern nor Jack will send a tech out to my home. Its a nice thought though. If anyone has some suggestions as to making the repair, I would greatly appreciate it. Attached are some photos of what several people have suggested what the problem might be. I'm hoping that just those 2 screws will need to be removed and then the assembly holding the 3 switches will simply lift out. Thanks again. By the way, I think your right about the cats plotting against me.

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Well the problem is solved. It turned out that the 2nd micro-switch shown in the above photos was not closing when the ball was running over it. I ended up bending the silver arm on the switch slightly upwards and that took care of the problem. Works 100% now. Thanks everyone for the advice and help. Hopefully the LEDs will arrive tomorrow. Well its back to destroying the one ring !

Hey Seal sorry you had the same problem. I've played quite a few games since the adjustment and I have not had one single problem. Just be careful when you bend the arm on the switch. My LEDs for this machine came about 20 min ago. The entire machine is being changed over today. I'll post some pics when I'm done. Happy New Year to all !