Metallica (Premium)
Stern, 2013My Metallica LE lights (6) directly behind Sparky aren't working each time I turn it on unless I reseat the connector located on CN2 next to the blue data cable.
Does anyone have any ideas on what i should do before i start tinkering? There are two wires (black and red) coming out of it and the connector is turning a brownie colour.
Thanks
You mean the GI on the backboard? The GI in Met LE is controlled, and most problems seem to stem from the data cable. The connector you have there is the power though, and if reseating that every time fixes it then perhaps start by replacing that connector.
Reseating the power may not, however be highlighting a problem with the power connector itself. It may be that by reseating the power you are power cycling the board and that is overcoming an issue with the data. If you can, try another data cable and see if that helps. New data cables have helped most of the cases of controlled GI issues, I believe.
Connector turning brown? Is it getting super hot?
Quoted from Macca101010:My Metallica LE lights (6) directly behind Sparky aren't working each time I turn it on unless I reseat the connector located on CN2 next to the blue data cable.
Does anyone have any ideas on what i should do before i start tinkering? There are two wires (black and red) coming out of it and the connector is turning a brownie colour.
Thanks
Your answer is probably here:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/all-gi-out-on-metallica-led-solution
You have a displacement connector on the power for that board (next to where the data cable is plugged in). Stern is sending too much current through that and it's heating up and oxidizing the connectors. They were supposed to switch over to trifurcon crimped connectors to solve this. Replacing the three pin connector solves the problem for another year or two.
Quoted from PinMonk:Your answer is probably here:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/all-gi-out-on-metallica-led-solution
You have a displacement connector on the power for that board (next to where the data cable is plugged in). Stern is sending too much current through that and it's heating up and oxidizing the connectors. They were supposed to switch over to trifurcon crimped connectors to solve this. Replacing the three pin connector solves the problem for another year or two.
Did you ever get around to measuring the current going through there?
Quoted from TimeBandit:You mean the GI on the backboard? The GI in Met LE is controlled, and most problems seem to stem from the data cable. The connector you have there is the power though, and if reseating that every time fixes it then perhaps start by replacing that connector.
Reseating the power may not, however be highlighting a problem with the power connector itself. It may be that by reseating the power you are power cycling the board and that is overcoming an issue with the data. If you can, try another data cable and see if that helps. New data cables have helped most of the cases of controlled GI issues, I believe.
Connector turning brown? Is it getting super hot?
Hmm it's a super nice machine this one @timebandit. Wonder who had it originally cause whoever did made it a super nice machine 
I tried a new data cable thanks to AMD and reading your previous postings (yes I've been stalking your posts) but no such luck unfortunately.
The connector doesn't appear to be getting hot.
Quoted from PinMonk:Your answer is probably here:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/all-gi-out-on-metallica-led-solution
You have a displacement connector on the power for that board (next to where the data cable is plugged in). Stern is sending too much current through that and it's heating up and oxidizing the connectors. They were supposed to switch over to trifurcon crimped connectors to solve this. Replacing the three pin connector solves the problem for another year or two.
Thanks PinMonk my next thought was to buy a new three pin connector and give that a try. Any suggestions on where i should purchase one?
Quoted from Macca101010:Hmm it's a super nice machine this one timebandit. Wonder who had it originally cause whoever did made it a super nice machine
I tried a new data cable thanks to AMD and reading your previous postings (yes I've been stalking your posts) but no such luck unfortunately.
The connector doesn't appear to be getting hot.
The data cable was an issue before the power connector issue as brought up by vireland. Both are issues now so, as he points out, power connector replacement probably required.
Quoted from Macca101010:Thanks vireland my next thought was to buy a new three pin connector and give that a try. Any suggestions on where i should purchase one?
I can make you up a replacement, with trifurcon crimps, in about ten minutes. What's on the other end of the cable?
Quoted from TimeBandit:I can make you up a replacement, with trifurcon crimps, in about ten minutes. What's on the other end of the cable?
Awesome thanks TimeBandit ...just trying to find the other end...geez she's been tied up with plenty of cable ties. I'll get a pic for you.
Quoted from extendo:Ive had a look on mine to trace it back but sheesh what a spaghetti. Looks like it goes to this ?
Makes sense. But means to do a replacement cable you'd have to rip the old one out then press new ones in with an IDC tool. Probably easier to fit new crimps in situ at the other end.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Makes sense. But means to do a replacement cable you'd have to rip the old one out then press new ones in with an IDC tool. Probably easier to fit new crimps in situ at the other end.
Thanks Mike, can you explain that to a non tech head like me in layman terms?
Quoted from Macca101010:Thanks for your help Con. I lost it once it went under the playfield. Can anyone else confirm this is correct?
Schematic in the manual will confirm it.
Quoted from Macca101010:Thanks Mike, can you explain that to a non tech head like me in layman terms?
I could send you a replacement cable, then you'd have to pull the old one out of that connector at the CPU board, then press the new wires into the connector using a specific tool for the job. Then run the cable back along the route of the old one.
Or you snip off the old three pin connector at the playfield end and fit your new crimps and housing there. That would actually be easier, but you would have to go back to plan A of getting the crimps, the housing, a crimp tool, and replacing the connector..I couldn't really help.
Sort of damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Quoted from Macca101010:Thanks vireland my next thought was to buy a new three pin connector and give that a try. Any suggestions on where i should purchase one?
Get some from pinball life along with some trifurcon connectors to do the replacement right rather than using the insulation displacement connectors that cause the issue.
Quoted from Macca101010:ok thanks Mike, really appreciate your time and help
Yeah, get the trifurcon connectors and the 3 pin plastic connector. You can use needle nose pliers in a pinch instead of a crimp tool. Best to do it right and not have to do it again for a loooong time.
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