Check mechanical issues first. Does it move freely by hand with the power off? Anything binding? Is the coil sleeve good. It should be if it is new, but you never know. Is the flipper attached firmly to the arm that connects to the plunger. There are likely a couple of nuts you tighten with a hex screw. Are they adequately holding the flipper or have they come loose?

Being a new Stern I would definitely check the coil stops (they have had quite a problem with these) they are at the far end of the coil assembly check to be sure the rivet in the center is present and tight not wiggling around.

When you lift up on the flipper (90 degrees from the playfield) is there any play or is it tight? There should be a little play and a gap around the thickness of a credit card between the flipper base and bushing . Stern is notorious for installing these with no play and making them too tight. I would also make sure they installed a coil sleeve which they have been known to forget.

Check that the coil stop didn’t come apart, with the stop itself moving around in the sleeve.

Happened to a friends JP about a few weeks or so after he got it and apparently not hugely uncommon. His distro got him a free replacement.

Look at coil stop and compare against the other. Is the brass thing in the middle missing? I'd bet 10-1 it popped out. To remove it you only need to remove the two large screws in the coil stop. Apply a little force and they will come out. Order a pair of new one from whoever you like, Marcospec, Pinballlife, etc. Stern has a bad batch.

Borrowed from Vids guide-

You can see where the coil stop is- you just need to unbolt it. 2 screws. Then does it look kinda like the second pic, or is the center part missing?
flipper (resized).jpg
nub (resized).jpg

...or call your distro and have him fix it...

This way would be great too- if they need to be replaced, your distributor should have some on hand.

I didn't realize there were so many issues with Stern coil stops.

And, now that I see that picture, I am reminded that the flipper is attached with a clamp and a regular nut that tightens it. Sorry, OP, for misleading you about the hex nuts.

I would check to make sure the flipper is firmly clamped in.

If you get ambitious, you could get this flipper rebuild kit and install all new parts.
It sure made a big difference on my machine.
If you can get your distributor to do all that for you, more power to you...
https://www.pinballlife.com/new-style-flipper-rebuild-kit-left-and-right-flippers-for-sternsega.html

Wait. What? You're saying that the plunger was just flapping around inside the coil... naked?

Pretty amazing!

Great job Stern...

No coil sleeve? "Hilarious"!

That’s nuts!

Sorry to hear that. Nothing sucks more than not being able to play with a new pin

Start reaching out to nearby Pinsiders. I’m sure someone will give/loan you one.

Could the plunger be damaged by this? I’m thinking of the fact that the flipper was working for a while and is now not. Wondering if you should get a new plunger as well.

I appreciate the offer and glad you were able to find the issue. After being on a few Stern tours nothing shocks me anymore with regards to their quality control.

If you would ever need to add some vertical play to your flipper you just loosen the nut in this picture (courtesy of Wmsfan) and pull up on the flipper. You can see the flipper shaft has plenty of room to move vertically. One of the first things I do when I buy a game is check the vertical play on the flippers to make sure they are not too tight because even though they will still work having them too tight can reduce the strength of the flipper and also how quickly they return to the home position.
paw (resized).JPG

If you don't have the coil sleeve on hand, you can borrow one off a lower playfield flipper from that AC/DC and just avoid playing the "hell" themed songs that activates the lower playfield. That'll get you back in business and able to play about 3/4 of the songs.

My DP Premium was missing a washer on a drop target. Worked great for the first couple of months and eventually, didn't work at all. Not sure how you could assemble the first one without the washer and then remember the next two, or vice versa. Thankfully, had a washer lying around the house to fix the issue.

If you are coming up I-90 on your way to Wisconsin I could meet you at the Pinball Life warehouse and give you the coil sleeve you need. Google Maps will tell you how far away you are from our place. We are about 1 hour Northwest of Chicago right off of I-90.
Terry.
Pinball Life

*This* is the pin community in action! Happy to be a PBL customer

If the game was built in the last 90 days (look on the back) do yourself a favor and just replace all 4 coil stops. Horrifically bad batch from Stern.

Post here when your GPS says you are 1 hour away. I'll meet you at the warehouse and you can pick up your order and I'll refund you shipping $$$.
Come around to the back side of the first building. Windows and door say Pinball Life World Headquarters.
Terry.

Pinball Life
11930 Oak Creek Parkway
Huntley, IL

847-515-3415

It's a white industrial condo building with red trim.

Terry and Margaret rock.

OK, meet you there.

Got the warehouse, looked up your order and now realize it has already shipped. You most likely get your order on Monday.

You can still stop by PBL though if you want.

Congrats! A nice story all around, except for the part where they forgot the coil sleeve during assembly.

I wonder if there is a person on the Stern assembly line, that has their inspection number or something on that machine, that now realizes that they might have missed a detail on a coil sleeve that was not installed. I bet that person is aware of the potential issue. Perhaps they will be called in on the carpet now. Makes you wonder how many more were missed and never detected.