Quoted from Eddie:Most common stern failures are
Flipper transistor failure is very common as well.
Quoted from CactusJack:It has been my experience that the only time a Flipper MOSFET usually fails is due to a broken lead on the diode mounted to the coil.
Nope. it's a known and chronic problem on Stern games. Both flipper transistors blew on my NIB LOTR LE within 5-6 months of home use. And TWO friends also blew them in about the same time. All with perfectly-connected diodes. Hold the flipper up a bit too long, and blown fuse and fried transistor. Happens on many other games too.
The solution is to replace it with an IRL540. The transistors Stern uses for the flippers are under-specced for the purpose. I have *never* heard of an IRL540 ailing in this application.