Hey guys... I brought home a RBION machine on Jan 9. Pretty nice shape overall.

IMG_20140109_154647_654.jpg

First of all... let me introduce myself as a pure pinball n00b when it comes to repair. I do software; you hardware guys are allowed to make fun of me for this

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Upon starting to play the game on Jan 9, the vari-target VUK switch (ball detector switch) wasn't working, and when you shot the ball into the VARI-target, the game would lose track of the ball. I fixed that (at least temporarily). Will post a video thread on it.

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/rbion-fixing-the-vuk-vari-target-switch-52-video

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The other main issue appears to be the right ramp diverter.

In the coil test, the coil (#5) appears to fire. I can see and hear it. During gameplay, I can hear it and see the plastic cover vibrate a little when it fires.

However, the balls don't get diverted to the left inlane... they drop into the kicker/lock.

When "lock is lit" and you hit the right ramp, the coil doesn't fire... which assume is correct (the balls should go into the kicker).

Is there supposed to be a mechanical part to that diverter? I don't see anything that would physically move the ball. Is it a magnetic type diverter?

What would cause the coil to fire, yet not be able to move the ball? There doesn't appear to be any weird alignment issue for the ramp.

Thanks!
Chad

Cool. Thank you G. Will have to look, but don't think my machine is equipped with one of these. There's a metal piece on top (not the ball-side) of the coil that moves when the coil fires, but nothing that appears to come in contact with the ball.

I'll take a few photos and post them up to see if you guys could tell me if it looks right/wrong.

I'll be doggoned. Thanks Geldaien. Here are the pics of the diverter:

IMG_20140126_225159_418.jpg
IMG_20140126_225211_023.jpg
IMG_20140126_225204_098.jpg

In the first pic it's plain to see that the rivets are missing and that a part could be hanging off of that.

A thorough inspection of the playfield and down into the cabinet didn't reveal any loose parts.

It's as if the previous owner removed the part on purpose.

Guess I'll have a look at buying the replacement. Thanks again for the help.

Thanks man.

I'll bet what happened is the original owner (who bought it NIB... it was HUO) had that piece break off at some point, and it probably sat inside the game. He had his "guy" come over and look at it. The guy probably took the piece and didn't know what it was and didn't bother to figure it out... the piece was not in the playfield and it wasn't in the bottom of the cab.

http://www.sternpinball.com/RBION/92.pdf
http://www.sternpinball.com/RBION/93.pdf

These show that G's part number was correct:

http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/515-7357-01

The diverter arm however isn't available by itself (535-6198-00)

Looks like I'll send those guys some money and see what happens.

Thanks again.

Cool. Was able to fix the problem quickly. The entire diverter assembly was available from Marco, but not the diverting arm.

Made a short video series showing how I did the repair. Click the link on the left side of the vid (a few seconds in) to watch the series (30 mins)