I just picked up an absolutely gorgeous HUO or VERY lightly used LOTR. The only problem I'm noticing is that with a few hits of the flipper button, ball in the shooter lane, the ring mode starts. In switch test mode, the ring opto seems to work perfectly. However, there doesn't seem to be a way to test switches with coils activated?? I'm curious if it's a vibration thing or what (although the flippers are an entire playfield length away from this switch).

I ordered a few IR LEDs to replace the opto LED pair if necessary, but has anyone else ever heard of this and is this the solution?

Thanks, I'll just replace the opto LEDs when they come in. It'll take me 5 minutes and 50 cents. I'll check the flipper EOSs, but this game looks like it's had REALLY limited play prior (zero PF or cabinet wear). May just be a bad component from the factory and the original owner didn't know the game play none the wiser. Game play appears to be otherwise perfect (I put up a 312M game and was literally 2 shots from Valinor LOL -- but I feel like I cheated the mode starts, and probably had points awarded as well). All switches checked out individually in switch test mode. I was hoping there was a way to activate coils in switch test mode like I can on a B/W game to see what the cause was. I've seen both flippers trip that switch, and now I'm wondering if the pops would do it too.

Interesting!! I noticed the Balrog hits were not consistent either in game play and had to really bash it to register. If the opto replacement doesn't work (easy and cheap enough), I'll take a look at this. Thanks for the tip! Hopefully we can get her going quickly. ColorDMD is necessary at some point. I also think this game really needs a sound upgrade. The stock speakers just sound really tinny and lack full depth of the call outs.

Balrog bashing. Seems I've got to smash the living hell out of mine to register. The switch itself is fine and tests normal, but it seems that there's an awful lot of distance for Balrog to travel. Hitting the bottom of the toy forces the top 90% of it to lean forward, opening up the normally-closed switch. Given the weight of the toy and the tension of the spring, it just seems to be unfairly favored in not registering via a ball strike. Has anyone either changed out the spring or put something behind the toy to reduce the horizontal travel distance needed to open up (register) the switch??