I wonder if this issue was addressed in a node board firmware update. For you guys who are seeing this issue, are you running the latest code?

Negative. I'm on 1.05 cleland code.

Pop in a fresh SD card with 1.07 on it and see if the problem goes away.

Would that prevent me from switching back to 1.05 later? I've swapped back and fourth between SD cards before, but never when it affected the node firmware.

No, I’ve done it before. It will upgrade/downgrade the node firmware as needed.
I tried cleland’s code for a while. I know plenty of people seem to like it, but it just wasn’t for me.

I created a kit to help properly setup the TK lock mechanism for Premium and LE owner.

Stern's instructions have you simply loosen the mount through the backboard to adjust the ramp spacing to the backboard which allows the ramp to move as the ball travels through - creating inconsistent results. This kit includes various thickness spacers to properly space the ramp away from the backboard while allowing it to be securely mounted to provide more consistent performance. As others have posted, this is a CRITCAL measurement. If you don't have this set correctly, you will never get your TK Lock to work properly and will get rejects at the TK Lock Guide Rod.

It also includes a measuring tool that you can use to set the TK Lock Guide Rod spacing. Stern has some very specific spacing requirements that are almost impossible to measure with one person using a ruler. This gauge allows simple - one person measurements.

Instructions included that compliment Stern's instructions that chuckwurt posted here https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stranger-things-club-join-our-party/page/35#post-5472488

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/shops/1167-gameroom-mods/07986-stern-stranger-things-tk-lock-adjustment-kit
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I placed an order. Next time my TK starts acting up, I will give it a go.

Kinda like a no-brainer - even if your TK lock is working perfectly. I placed an order... and I am a no-brain kinda guy!

No brainer is what we were going for! We aren’t going to get rich off this item but it is a good way to share some parts, tools and learnings that helped dial in my game.

Just picked up a Pro and replaced the Mylar for the center ramp. I doubled up the Mylar just to be safe. After only a few games it’s cutting into the Mylar. Any advise? Tried searching the forum but came up empty. Seems the motor is shutting off when it hits.

Another one for the “as info” files: I did complete the S1 wizard mode today with no crash. Had previously crashed on mine so I’ve been draining when reaching the last demog shot, but today wasn’t close on Demodog or Demog modes so figured what the hell, drain it.

I figure it’s likely there was a ball hung up behind the drops as that seems to crash other modes that drain the balls before launching a new ball for the player.

I would be happy be proven wrong about another run of ST. It's a great game

Brand new code and SD card did not fix the dimly lit Morse code insert

Had the same issue on my TMNT(ball save light was always on but dim)and it was a node board failure.

Bummer, I don’t love the whole node board architecture.

I've done all of the above. Stern tech support believes 520-8433-00 has failed. I've reached out to my distro to order one, fingers crossed its not too pricey. If it is, well then I may pull the board and take a closer look.

Hey all, I've run into a couple issues with the Premium that maybe some of you might know how to fix. It seems the magnetic ball lock on the back left side rarely ever gets the balls to stick to the wall. Anyone know of a way to fix it so that it will stick every time? The other issue is on the same ramp where it hits the magnetic ball lock post and the post basically stays up blocking the ball until I hit the flippers a few times.

The main page of this forum has carefully laid out steps to follow to solve that issue in some pinned posts. Just look for the TK Lock pinned posts titles and you should be golden!

Rumors abound!

https://www.knapparcade.org/post/stern-pinball-confirms-that-another-run-of-stranger-things-pinball-will-happen

I wonder if they will make any Premiums or just Pro's? GG mentions it being a top earner on location... so maybe it is just Pros?

I wouldn't be shocked if they made an elvira 40th type of play to help justify the build complexity of the prem

Just go up to post #17307

This is a known problem for, I think every, Stranger Things Premium and LE. The good news is that post #17307 is selling a kit to help you fix it... for cheap. Doing it yourself (without the kit) is a un-fun job that can take hours.

I bet we have a winner! They may launch it to coincide with the ending of the show. Maybe throw a $20K price on it and give it some exclusive code.

I think George said probably. Seems strange that Stern would make these when they can’t keep up with games that are still in production. Maybe with the new building they expect lots of extra capacity. Stranger Things have happened. :p

that article title is extremely misleading do better knapp arcade

"The good news is, you're probably going to see them again from us. I don't know when, but I think that we might make some more."

that is in no way confirmation of anything

If they really want to re run the game for the love of all that is good please replace the mystery up post coil with a VUK to the ramp.

Agreed (hence: "Rumors Abound!!!")

Less surprising as an SLE…

I don't think so. Stern likes to keep their cards close to their chest when it comes to upcoming games, and this is the 2nd time George has alluded to a Stranger Things re-run in an interview, and also the Stern social media page mentioned recently with a criptic message that we will see Eleven soon again. I dislike that this hobby is about investments and everyone covering their eyes and ears on this news are doing so because they believe the value of their ST Prem or Pro will fall, hence the recent posts of SLE Stranger Things just to make themselves feel secure about their "investment". Just be happy more people can enjoy this pin in the future.

the article is covering an old interview, you realize, right? this isn't new, and he hasn't said anything about it twice, but hope springs eternal I suppose

Not sure if you meant my SLE comment but I don’t own a STh at the moment. I’ve had a pro, wouldn’t mind a prem or LE but they are pretty expensive so I figured since Stern seems to be doing yearly SLE’s lately it would be a good candidate. Just wild speculation with no ulterior motives

Stern tested the waters with the EHOH price increase, and liked what they saw. It's going to be painful to see what they charge for ST premium.

He said the "probably" "maybe" quote on this weeks 'free play pinball podcast' interview. Months ago, he said "if we did" we would need to revisit the TK lock mech.

Gary used to be the salesman bullshitter, now George is picking up the torch, so who knows. Everyone that interviews him asks about STh vault which brings listens to their podcast and George feeds the fire so all the Pinsiders will keep listening to him talk for 90min about the latest game on the line in case there is any mention of an STh vault.

There is a whole thread dedicated to the speculation if you're interested.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stranger-things-vault-is-it-coming

With Stern's new factory coming online later this year they will have more than enough lines to rerun past pins like ST and keep up with demand.

https://www.costar.com/article/1684457330/worlds-biggest-pinball-machine-maker-expands-after-bump-in-demand

The same people that freak out if Stern does something like posts a picture of Millie Bobby Brown on her birthday are probably hard at work on a Shazam Stern hype thread right now

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Havent played in over a month due to surgeries and sickness, but first game stepping back in it I GC'd. Getting ever closer to Send it back and Light the fire(?)!

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That would be a great pin!

Had a problem on my STh last night. During multiball, 4 balls were sent behind the demogorgan area and were stuck behind the uppost. It would pulse but not long enough to let a ball out.

Any suggestions?

mylar over the opto sensor notch in the ball guide

Thanks! I’ll give that a try. I need to replace the wire on the gate in that area anyway.

do it before it wrecks too many high scores, i blew a lot of games that way trying to shake those out. 4 balls in there means you've got a good game going, but they also sometimes unfortunately bounce in such a way that one of them will get hung up in such a way that it's caught between the post and the ball guide in that notch

in the meantime if you don't want to mylar it make sure you keep the coin door ballsave set to on, and keep a dowel close to the game to poke those balls out with

Replace the balls if they are magnetized.

I try not to turn the pin off with a ball stuck to the wall in the TK lock to prevent early magnetization. (even though it looks cool.)

How do you get “Send it back” and “Light the fire?”

complete all the modes for season 1 and season 2