I wanted to ask you how long your aux board was working OK before it crapped out?

I'm wondering if I got a good one or if I just haven't played enough to tell.

I cant remember for sure, but I do not remember the connections being any different.

Could you post a pic of the new one?

The pictures were confusing to me. The board should snap in without any harness changes. I'd just swap boards and ignore any wiring they sent v

Can you tell me what colour wire is going to pin10 50v on J2 of the Aux board on your game,I am having problems with mine where the F7 fuse light on the I/O board is still alight with the fuse removed and I'm wondering if this harness is a Stern solution

Don't do this!!!! I did this and ended up getting another Aux Board sent to me!

Install the harness.

If you want pm me and I can tell you how to connect it. I went through 4 aux boards before getting the wiring harness and that fixed it.

What does the wiring harness have to do with the aux boards? Seriously? I think you were just unlucky. The board pinouts haven't changed.

Marking post. I have ordered Aux rev. B pcb. It has not arrived as of 5/1/2013.

I installed it a few months back so I don't remember exactly what Chas said it does, but it doesn't replace the existing cable. You connect this new cable to J10 on the CPU (or was it power? Top left board anyway) and to the existing cable and into the Aux board. He told me something like it bypassed the area that was causing the problems with the magnets and the nightcrawlers.

When I got it shipped with my 4th aux board I looked at it and thought it was just a replacement cable so I didn't install it - mistake.

So the aux boards, themselves, are basically the same. Shouldn't we all be getting these cables?

The last two Aux boards I burned up I never even played a game. I did the following:
- Tested the transistors on the new Aux board – all good.
- Check resistance on the new Magneto magnet – 4.5 ohms
- Install the new magnet and new Aux board.
- Power up X-men Magneto and go into diagnostics
- Run tests 1-3 OK, and test #4 Magneto magnet fires the magnet, but the right Night-Crawler popped up (left one was already up)
- Power down and test the transistors on the Aux board. Q2 and Q7 are shorted.
- Power up and eject balls. Lift playfield and test fuses. 2 3A fuses are blown. Remove.
- Test magneto magnet – still 4.5 ohms.
- Lower playfield.
- Retest Aux Board transistors and now see that Q2, Q3, Q7 and Q8 are shorted.

Then after I put in the new wiring harness with new aux board no more problems.

So, I don't know if I had a *special* problem or if everyone should get the extra wiring harness.

Very interesting analysis. What I'm saying is that if a harness solves problems, it seems that everyone with an xmen should get a harness - new aux board or not. The new vs old aux boards are the same pin outs. So if this cabling does something to prevent the issue on a new aux board, it should do the same to protect an older one. I'm curious about this so I am going to see if stern can chime in.

Yes I am having the same problem,one thing I have noticed compared to the manual and other games that use the Aux board the 50v wire to J2 pin 10 on the aux pcb is wrong

The nightcrawler coil blew my new board on the coil test before even playing it with the new board. I would suggest that might be the problem. I think others have said that the magneto magnet destroyed their board.
But either way Stern is standing behind them 100%. It looks like they got some bad parts from their suppliers for the magnet and NC coil, and those caused the aux board to fry. At least its easy to do the labor to fix it when Stern gives you the new parts. When you get your new board run a coil test before playing. That way you will find out what the bad part is that causes the board to fry.
Fix and enjoy.

I'm with you markmon, if Stern is rerouting harnesses to fix future problems, all LE owners should get one. Seems like it should be everyone's Mod #1.

I am curious about this as well...

I don't want to tell you what to do, but if it was me I'd call 1-800-Kickers and talk with tech support. Explain the situation. If your aux board is bad I'd hope they'd send you a replacement rather than you having to buy one (you'll need to return the dead one on your dime).
The only reason I bought an AC/DC is because Stern took care of the issues I had on X-Men. I may not have been happy with quality control, but they do stand behind the product.

I just sent patrick a e-mail and asked if he would send me a harness / fix for the board - or if they were doing a service bulletin on it... to many boards are failing - it can't be ignored... I don't mind if I have to pay - would rather not. However its like leaving a time bomb in my game and I would be happy to pay to get it out!

I have had the new board in my LE for like 6 months without any issues. I did not get a new harness nor am I worried.

After 3 boards they sent me the new harness, USE it. It came with directions ask Chas if you need help!!!

I almost wish my aux board would screw up. It would then possibly explain my crazy Nightcrawler behavior I have always seemed to have.

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/x-men-lesoftware-getting-corrupted

Mine gave out over the weekend (see the original aux board thread), so there is still hope! Distributor is having them send me new auxboard + cable. IMHO, since I thought i was in the clear for not having any problems until now (unboxed in August).. it does seem like they should just give a fix out to all LE owners (esp if a cable works on old board) vs waiting for everyone to have an issue.

Yeah, I saw your post. I don't have any long play sessions and really don't have room to have more than 2 or 3 people over to play at a time. If my Nightcrawlers begin acting strangely at start up (as they have continued to do on the past 2 or 3 updates) I will probably give Stern a call and ask about the boards / harnesses.

I wish something would officially be done. I keep hearing people mention a service bulletin, but I think that is almost a thing of the past for them. I know they sent out different Avengers "fix kits", but nothing listed on their site. I'm sure they just wish people would stay ignorant of their many screw ups and just let it pass.

I just installed the rev B board and harness and thought I'd report in. There were no instructions so I referred to this thread to ensure I was doing the harness correctly -- thanks for that.

My symptoms were that the NCs were erratic for a few games and then quit working. When installing the new board, I checked the fuses in the backbox and found one out and replaced it. I fired it up and all of the other AUX devices worked, but the NCs were still no worky.

A quick inspection turned up two fuses for the NCs way back on the bottom right underside of the playfield. They were *really* fried, all dark inside. Once I got them replaced, all was well.

Crossing my fingers they used USPS and aux will be here today. I checked all my fuses, none blown. So hope I caught it early or failed safe. I guess I should resistance test the late release coils in night crawler and wolverine magnet anyway?

Ok got the aux board and the harness yesterday. Hooked it all up, everything working well now. Mine didn't blow any fuses in the process so crossing fingers no further issues. My harness did have instructions, so smooth sailing

Sorry to dig up an old thread...but it made more sense than starting my own.

Does anyone have a pic of the included instructions? I just got the AUX board today, but no instructions. I just want to make sure I've got it all hooked up right...

Pete

I think I found it...

Putting it here in case it helps anyone else.

X-Men_LE_Wiring_Harness.png

Well, I did it as pictured, and the Wolverine magnet got super-hot. Like, "I smell burning" hot.

Fannnnnnnntastic.

Well, I did it as pictured, and the Wolverine magnet got super-hot. Like, "I smell burning" hot.
Fannnnnnnntastic.

Oh no, I put a brand new magnet in after I had my meltdown. You want me to bring my old one for ya? It should work fine.

DSC09193.JPG

Yeah...that looks completely functional!

That'll buff right out. Be fine.

Man your going to need some Novus 3 on that one!

Harness never sent but this was Patrick's e-mail to me when I asked for a modified aux board prior to getting the mag of death (not sure if this helps but its all I have)

Hi Jason,

Not all games have experienced this problem. It’s possible your game already has a modified “A” board. To verify, please check for any jumper wires on the front and back side of the board. We also have a harness available that isolates the +50V feed to 8-Transistor board (see the attachment). Please give me your mailing address and game’s serial number and I’ll send you the harness.

Regards,
Patrick

the attachment was PMwolf's service pages.

holy thread resurrection batman. anyone know where to get this cable ? is there a part number?