I am having an issue with the Stroke of Luck popper on my RFM. At random times during the game, the popper will fire 5 to 8 times in a row (after awarding whatever is lit at the scoop). I cleaned the optos on the popper (as well as reflowed the solder), but still had the issue.

What I did find, is if there is a ball in the ball trough blocking the #2 trough position (opto switch #43) and you hit switch #33 (Center Target 4), it triggers both #33 and the popper opto switch in the switch test. If there is no ball blocking the #2 trough position, it doesn't trigger them both. The weird thing is switch #36 (Center Target 1) sometimes works and sometimes doesn't work in either case.

I did replace about 5 flakey or non-working rollover switches recently - that were not any of the above switches (and put new diodes on them). I have double and triple checked the switches I replaced and the diode bands are in the correct orientation and the wires are all properly attached. I'm wondering if I should start disconnecting the switches I replaced one by one and see if the problem goes away. The problem is I don't know if any of the new switches are part of the issue. The playfield is new to me so I don't know if the problem existed or not before I installed the switches.

I am hoping some of the tech gurus out there can give me some guidance on what I should check next. Thanks in advance.

I unhooked the switches one at a time and still had the issue after each one. Actually after unhooking the last one, things really go weird. The popper starting popping before the start of a game and after a game ended, but the switch did not register at all during a game.

Also, when I go into the switch test with the 5 new switches unhooked, certain switches register mulitples. For example, three of the center targets also register 3 of the trough switches. For example, center target 3 also registers as trough ball 3.

Any other thoughts?

Yeah, that's what I thought - a needle in haystack. This is the last time I buy something sight unseen, that's for sure.

Thanks Lloyd. Yeah, I just need to take a day or two off and come back to it fresh

I actually purchased an RFM "kit" (pf, prism/daughter, Roms, etc.). So the cabinet hasn't moved, but the pf has - especially with replacing switches. It has been up & down and in & out of the cabinet, so there is a good chance that something may have been jostled.

Thanks again.