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I just installed the Pinballlife Spike 2 shaker motor in my Iron Maiden Pro. When I turned on the game, the shaker motor started shaking immediately, before the game even booted up completely. I turned the game off before the boot up completed.

I also smelled a faint "hot coil" smell.

Was I too cautious in turning off the machine? Or do I have a problem?

I believe you need a cap kit to stop them from resetting the game sometimes? It happened to me only once.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stern-spike-shaker-motor-advisory-for-mystery-slam-tilt

Thanks, TheLaw . Does anyone know if it's normal for the PBL Spike 2 shaker to shake like crazy as soon as you flip the power switch? I'm afraid to wait 20 seconds with the shaker running and let the machine boot up.

Or does the cap kit stop this behavior?

You need the capacitor mod kit, PBL should be able to send it to you, contact Terry.

You need to be running 0.93 or later code on Iron Maiden. The issues Stern was having ending up being about code, not the need for a cap kit.

Thanks pinballlife . I'm running the latest IM code, and I still seem to have a problem.

We have one installed in an Iron Maiden Pro and that's not normal. Sounds like it's plugged in wrong or to the wrong place. Pictures?

Install instructions:
https://www.pinballlife.com/docs/instructions/SPIKE%20Shaker%20Motor%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf

Definitely plugged into CN2 on the the SPIKE breakout board. It's a pretty simple install, and I double checked that connection.

Plug isn't upside-down? Wire colors on the correct pins?

It's keyed (isn't it?) so it's really tough to screw up. Not upside down, all on the correct pins.

It IS keyed, but that doesn't mean it can't be put on wrong. Also it doesn't mean the connector was wired right. If it's wired wrong, it will fit the plug but still not work right. A picture would still be worth doing. Maybe you're missing something.

I'd also check where the wires connect to the motor. Is there still a cap there? I don't remember. Undo the install and put the shaker motor in the coin box area, wire side facing you where you can clearly see what's happening. If it starts spinning when you power on, turn it off immediately - that's not right. If it DOESN'T start spinning immediately, then something about the install caused the problem.

FWIW I installed my PBL shaker in my Iron Maiden today and have ZERO issues. No cap install and my code is 1.0 from the factory.

The shaker can not turn itself on. Only the machine can do that.

It can if it's wired wrong or shorted.

Nothing wrong with Pinball Life Shaker motors and spike. That issue was years ago and Pinball Life made it good for all affected

Was that due to Pinball life shakers made years ago or games made years ago? Is the latest version of PBL shakers safe in a 2016 GB?

I have a PBL Shaker in mine. No problems.

To follow up, the PBL shaker ended up being the problem.

Scott and Terry did a great job helping me troubleshoot, accepting the return, and shipping a new one. And, of course, the new one works fine.

I have the PBL shaker motor installed on both Ghostbusters Pro and GOTG Pro with no problems. They work perfect and are great for gameplay. Only issue I’m having is sometimes the screen on GOTG goes “blurry”. If you smack the side of the back box it comes back to perfect. Checked all connections and all are good. Stern says for me to replace the board in the back box. $900!!! And not even available anywhere. Sterns customer service has gone way downhill.

Happens when the shaker motor is working? Or any random times?

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