Hey gang! So I have poured over the forum and have tried several things in order to resolve this issue, but I have yet to 'pin' it down. I'll list the things I have done so far, and hope I don't forget one as there have been many, so hopefully we don't have to beat the dead horse known as #STTNG Opto Issues.

What the game is doing currently:
With the game turned on, I drop 6 balls in the trough. The game loads a ball to the right cannon, then a ball to the left cannon, and then attempts to load to the left lock. Instead of that happening, it cycles the third ball to the left cannon, making two balls at the left cannon. The cycle repeats since there is yet to be a ball in the left lock. I eject all six balls from the game, turn it off, and manually stage a ball at each cannon as well as the left lock. I then turn the game on and the game is ready to play. Game play is normal until a ball is to be locked in the left lock. The ball goes into the subway to be locked, but then the game searches for a ball, cycling several coils and such and fails the first time. It tries again, this time cycling the right upper flipper followed by the left cannon coil, then mysteriously this 'missing' ball appears from the left lock, where it thinks it isn't, and into the habitrail. This sequence of searching for a ball will occur every time a ball is to be locked. It seems like the left cannon switch 1 isn't registering the ball, though I know it is based on the below info, so it tries to send a second ball there instead of to the left lock.

Here are things I have done:

1. Verified all Opto emitters are visually working using a digital camera.
2. Verified all Opto emitters are getting voltage with the game on and coin door open in test mode (~1.37V).
3. verified all Opto emitters are clean using 91% isopropyl alcohol.
4. Verified all Opto receivers are getting voltage with the game on and coin door open in test mode (closed circuit ~.18V, open circuit 9.8V).
5. Verified 12V at T1 with game on and coin door open in test mode (actually 14.28V).
6. Verified each Opto works in test mode Switch T3.
7. Verified that all diverter coils work in Coil Test.
8. Verified that all diverters move freely.
9. I reflowed solder on all the Opto circuit boards, including the Opto PCB Assembly.
10. I tested each resitor, dioded, etc. and found one resistor on the Opto PCB to reading a little low, R23, so I replaced it.
11. Seated each wire in its connector a bit more.

I took a pic of the switch matrix with no balls in the game, first pic, as well as with all 6 balls where they are supposed to be, second pic. It looks okay to me but maybe I am missing something?

I think that is everything I've done to this point. Needless to say, I feel like there are Klingons on the starboard bow and Jim isn't here to get them off. :/ Any help is appreciated. I'm also willing to do more tests, take pics, vids, etc. to figure this out.

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Hi Rob, it's good to hear from you. Been a long time since I met you at the Heartland show.

The diverter appears to be working just fine. It actually activates well before the ball gets to it. You can see in the vid below that the game diverts the first ball to the right cannon, then the second to the left cannon, then the third again to the left cannon. Something is telling that diverter to send a second ball to the left cannon.

Good catch! In my haste to load pics I failed to reorder them. I'll leave it alone as to not confuse any future readers of this thread. I have fixed switches 17 and 25. It was on my list but not as high a priority as this issue.

I don't think it is the coil. It activates every time it is asked to either in test, manually, or with the balls in the game. The upper diverter moves out of the way every single time instead of only to load the left cannon. Something is telling it that there is no ball in the left cannon even though there is.

Try accessing the video now. I think I have fixed the link. I have scoured dozens of posts about this same or similar issue and I have tried everything, including many in the STTNG Owners forum. I only started this thread because I am at a loss. This is the last thing that needs fixed on this pin, and of course it is a pretty important one. I appreciate the input and help thus far.

I have reseated the ASIC as well as all the plugs and cables. Even went as far as testing diodes, resistors, etc., and reflowing solder. However...GOOD NEWS! I figured it out yesterday afternoon. See if you guys can figure it out from the picture below. I know I shouldn't have assumed, but I'd like to get hold of the guy that worked on this pin last. There were several 'DOH! Why did someone do that?!' moments.

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Yep! I completely overlooked that at least a half dozen times. I finally broke out the manual and was comparing wired colors to be sure all was good and that is when I noticed it. Game is playing great now. Go figure. lol