Rush Prem
Build date 07/05/22
Node 10 failure at appx 750 plays
Node 10 failure at appx 30 plays
Have checked all connections and wires between stepper motors (clock and ramp) and node 10 board.
Zip ties were too tight throughout the underside of playfield, cut those free.
Still undiagnosed issue.

Well my third node 10 board crapped out. Had drum clock disconnected this time around so the issue is with the ramp motor/wires. Got about 30 plays on this one.

Yes

I would also like to mention that when one of the node 10 boards decided to quit, it actually left a burn mark on the underside of the wooden playfield. In the future I will play with a fire extinguisher next to the game. This machine actually scares me.

Got a Rush ramp motor assembly, multi-stepper controller board (node 10) and harness from node 10 to ramp motor on warranty order. Could be a decent wait for all three to get to me, but at least Stern is trying to figure out the issue. I want to thank our fellow pinsider for starting this thread because it did grab their attention. Yes, Stern knows/knew about the issue, but this thread really paints a face on the issue.

Thank you for the post. Please vote in the poll if you have not done so already.

I am with you. All they have to do is ask.

I see your three and raise you four.

I completely understand your thought process on whether to keep or sell for a loss. Trust me, I wrestle with this daily. If in the future if we can nail down this issue, then the pin is a keeper for me. I think it is honestly one of the best machines. BUT, this issue of node board stew is quite irritating and is ruining a great game.... quickly. Really sad deal. If I were Mr. Borg then I would be quite ticked off. To design a masterpiece only to have it undone by something overlooked in the QC dept has to be beyond frustrating.

Standby.... still diagnosing latest failure. Will report back with details.

Sent a box filled with three defective node 10 boards back to Stern last week. Will let the community know if I receive a reply.

This issue will get fixed. There are enough of us with the node 10 board problem. The game is a lot of fun. I would say if you want the game now.... go for the pro. If you can hold off a bit until we get a handle on the problem then get the Premium.

Stern replied that they have received the three node boards I sent back to them: two were their boards, one was from PBL. They seemed a bit surprised that only one board had visible burn damage, even though all three boards failed. Anyhow, the engineering team is going through them with a fine toothed comb.

Smart move to be proactive with this machine. I agree that the super tight zip ties are quite prevalent. Whoever was working the Rush zip tie station in the late Spring/Summer season has some serious anger management issues.

They want them back. I asked for a return shipping label and they emailed me one. Won't cost you a thing to ship back.

Godzilla uses same board. The problem is not the board. Stern knows this. Problem seems to be power interruption, possibly coming from ramp stepper motor area. However with this game, there also is an issue with extremely tight zip ties that may be contributing to the power interruption, thus causing the node 10 board to go into automatic meltdown.

Thanks. I also asked the Godzilla community on their thread.

Eventually, Stern grew tired of sending me just node boards. Upon my last blown node board they are sending me new clock and ramp motors and harness and..... another node board. It will probably be an epic wait time as the communication goes Stern then to distrubutor and then back to Stern for part number verification and then it is the weekend again and then there is are emails saying things like, "we dont have a part number for that....". Anyhow, the wheels are in motion and all I can do is wait.

I hear ya and could not agree more. I think in the current managment cycle at Stern, it as if the engineering team has very little say in what to do.

PeakPin: I really appreciate your detailed analysis. I also have received the cut and paste reply from Stern, "We will pass along your info to the engineering department." If this is indeed the solution, credit is due to you, not the Stern engineering department.

Because we are tired of waiting and this is apparently not a priority for Stern. If you don't believe me, contact them for yourself.

Amen. For those who have not yet had the pleasure of receiving the standard "cut and paste" replies from Stern regarding node 10 issues, save yourself the agony and do what the above user did to his machine.

With the power off disconnect the clock and the ramp motor (located at the bottom of the board). Then prop up the ramp with a rubber ball or an old sock or something, then turn the power back on.

it is the power interruption while powered up that is the issue

You are correct.

Wow, pinsider of the year goes to you! Thanks for taking time out of your day to share your knowledge. Sincerely... really appreciate that you are so helpful. Again, thank you.

Stern has officially stopped sending out replacement node 10 boards....at least that is what Stern support told me.

I couldn't agree more, but simply reporting my latest communication with them from a week ago. They apparently grew tired of sending out replacement boards. They said the engineers were working on the issue and to remain patient. Maybe when they arrive at a fix, then they will send out boards with the fix, but as of right now, if your board decides to go bye-bye, then you will have to buy a new board on your own dime from somebody like Pinball Life (if they have any).

For right now and if your game still functions normally, it is important to prop up the ramp and then disconnect the ramp and clock from the node 10 board.....or roll the bones and take your chances.

Yes, you basically summed it up in your quote.

I guess the "cup half full" is that the fix must be in final stages, if they are holding back on sending out replacement boards (that would again simply malfunction after a few plays.) My guess is that when the fix is "official" then a new node board would be part of the total package, because as we all know....without a board, the other "fix" components are useless.

True...I should have added that bit in my post.

It is so satisfying to see posts on this thread leading to people solving the node board 10 issue. Hopefully, this is indeed the fix. Time will tell.

In the latest Bond stream, Gomez actually took some time out from Bond to talk about the Rush issue. It is toward the end of the program. Basically, said that the issue is the bad pins in the motor area. I honestly believe that Peak-Pin is owed a huge thank you. Also, said to call Stern to get your replacement part.

True statement. I think the idea was that if you have this issue as in now, call Stern and have it formally addressed with a ticket number.

Photos would be good. You will probably get an answer to your problem much quicker on this thread than a reply from Stern. The positive is that you will be getting something from Stern. They are addressing the issue.

Did the US pharmaceutical companies get involved in the node board business?

To be honest, I was initially pissed off at you for this post. Then I read it again and felt that it is a well written post with valid points. A case of "don't shoot the messenger." Thanks for the information. It confirms what I felt, but have difficulty accepting.

Yes.... and I miss it. My heart is still in this particular thread because it is an awesome community and I really want Stern to make good on this issue.

Sorry to see this Mike. What a complete goat-rope.

.....and you had the latest code updated before slapping in the node board?

I would like to confirm what items people received in the Rush fix kit. Two items correct? Node board and new motor? Nothing else, correct?

So, I guess the million dollar question is Stern going to be proactive and send out fixes for the previous fixes? I am a bit confused. So apparently the fix kits people received last month are not the latest fix kits? Should people now be expecting fix 2.0? This is getting strange.

Stern is still waiting on more parts and then will send out the final/final motor fix to those on the waitlist. This is what Stern customer support told me as of 24 hours ago.

I wish.... just trying to help out a guy with a Rush Prem.

Happy to hear that at least some folks are receiving the latest motor/ board replacement.

When I owned the premium, I had no extras installed (shaker, topper, etc). Went through three boards.

Just curious to see if there have been any developments in pinning down this issue. I know there were a couple people (way over my knowledge level) actively working on the problem.