Check the switches on sparky. Sounds like something is constantly triggering.

So seems like you need to investigate the optos in front of sparky. You will need to check to make sure the wires are correct, and that the optos themselves are aligned.

Optos detect a switch opening due to the breaking of a beam. If the alignment is off it can be just off enough that the vibration from other things can cause it to go from open to close to open again. The reason I am guessing it is auto launching is that the switch is registering while the ball is in the shooter lane and the game thinks the ball should be in play. Does it give you the ball save animation too?

Do you have Powerbladez ? Mine was doing a similar thing, and they were interfering with the opto in front of sparky , whenever Sparky was hit, the machine went haywire in different areas . I finally had to remove the Powerbladez and put the pinblades in , with pinball refinery creeping death lighting rails ,, haven’t had another issue ,,,,

It may be vibration that is triggering the switch. Put the game into switch edges test, then pound on the playfield with your fist.

If you've already reseated the connectors on the opto board, there may be a connection issue at one of the optos. Also possibly a problem with the opto board. I'm guessing even the pro has more than one opto board. If so, swap one with Sparky board and see if the problem moves.

Your autoplunge is activating because the game thinks a ball is in play so it is related to the sparky issue most likely. Your optos at sparky are misaligned and/or the target switch needs to be regapped. Go into switch test mode and see what’s active. It should be an easy fix.

They may just not be aligned. There is one on each side, not hard to get to.

The grave marker switch (optos), at the back of the drop targets, is connected to the same opto board as the electric chair optos. Is that switch working?

The opto board used for both of those switches should have two red LEDs lit when the nothing is blocking the optos. Are you seeing those two LEDs lit?

With the power off, carefully swap the four small connectors on the board. Swap J1 with J3 and swap J2 with J4. Then power up and test each switch again.

The vibration from hitting the apron is moving the optos at the chair. You need to take a look at how they are mounted and make sure they are aligned and secured at the chair location.

No idea if you need to remove Sparky, but you should probably go ahead and order an opto. They come with the wire and connector attached. No soldering. Get a spare for later.

It could just be a bad solder connection on the board, but it could also be a cracked leg on the LED, which isn't easily fixable. Metallica uses transceivers, so same part number on both sides. Part number is in the manual.

I think they are pretty far forward, i would start with just the plastics and see if you can get to them.

Same Exact issue of Sparky/Electric Chair Optos acting all haywire - thinks it's getting hit all the time which is causing auto plunging and loads of points!! I just installed PowerBlades and didn't change anything else so that must be it. Does anyone know a fix or using Metallica Creeping Death Powerblades without an issue? Thanks! Jay

I had the same issue many moons ago after installing the powerbladez, could never quite find a fix, adjusting the optos helped for a while but issue always came back. Finally decided to take out the powerbladez,as it was ruining the game I loved playing so much. Installed the Creeping Death regular side blades, and installed the Pinball Refinery Creeping Death Lighting Rails, which, have basically the same effect, and I am very happy with and have had no issues of setting off Sparky.

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I was thinking of getting the powerblades last May when I picked up my Metallica. I read about the problem,and it seemed to be hit or miss that you were going to have problems with the powerblades. I didn’t like the odds,so I opted out. I really like the looks of them,and it’s a shame they never sorted out the problem.