Meteor (Stern, 1979): faults and replacement boards (Stern M-200 MPU)
Is your Stern Meteor refusing to boot, stuck looping the MPU test, showing dead displays or drop targets that no longer score? These symptoms are typical of Stern microprocessor machines (M-200 MPU): the original board is now over 45 years old and almost always suffers from a battery that has leaked. A battery-free replacement board gives your machine a second life.
Meteor (Stern, 1979): an introduction
Launched in September 1979, Meteor is the biggest commercial success of the "Classic Stern" era, with close to 8,000 units produced. It introduced the Stern M-200 MPU board and its state-machine architecture, distinct from the Bally boards.
- Manufacturer: Stern Electronics
- Year: 1979
- Electronic system: Stern M-200 MPU
- Type: solid-state pinball machine, 7-segment displays
- Theme: space, an incoming asteroid
Common faults (Stern M-200 MPU)
On Stern M-200 microprocessor machines (1979-1985), the recurring faults come from ageing: a leaking battery on the MPU (corroded traces around the 5101 RAM chips at U8/U13, the number one cause of dead boards), tired RAM and logic chips (won't start, reboots, stuck in the test loop), Molex connectors oxidised or burnt on the MPU and power supply side (pins to be replaced male and female), displays with missing or flickering segments, the rectifier and solenoid driver board (dried-out capacitors, bridge rectifier, fuses, coil transistors) and the sound board with dried-out capacitors.
Problems specific to the Meteor (from the forums)
- Battery leak on the MPU: corroded traces in the area around the 5101 RAM chips (U8/U13) - deal with this first.
- An entire row or column of switches dead: the fault very often sits at MPU connector J2, or on the wire that runs across the playfield.
- Temperamental upper drop targets: they fail to score when knocked down and drop straight back after the reset; clean and adjust the switches, then loosen the screws on the reset shaft.
- All displays dead: connector J3 on the solenoid driver board is often to blame, especially if its pins have been "cleaned" with a brass brush instead of being re-tinned.
- Weak flippers or a coil running hot: EOS switches to file and adjust (roughly 3 mm gap with the flipper energised); the brown jumpers next to the relay break or turn into dry joints.
- No sound or distorted sound: sound board connectors to re-pin and the 5101 RAM to replace.
Replacement boards compatible with the Meteor
- BallyFA - battery-free MPU.
- BallyDri - power supply + driver.
- BallyLa_60 - lamp driver.
Plug & Play installation, battery-free, free support.
Worth knowing: the Meteor uses a Stern M-200 MPU, whose part numbers differ from the Bally -35 boards. Get in touch with the part numbers from your boards: we will confirm the right solution before you buy anything.
FAQ - Meteor Stern
Which replacement board for my Meteor?
The Meteor uses a Stern M-200 MPU: get in touch with the part numbers from your boards and we will confirm the right board (battery-free) before you buy.
My Meteor won't boot - what should I check first?
The battery and the corrosion on the MPU, particularly around the 5101 RAM chips (U8/U13): that is the number one cause of dead boards. Then the 5 V rail and the connectors.
A whole row of switches has stopped responding - where does that come from?
Almost always from MPU connector J2 or from the matrix wire that runs across the playfield, not from the switches themselves.
Should I keep the original battery?
No: a battery-free board removes the number one cause of corrosion.
What warranty comes with Pinballs Store boards?
A 6-month warranty (parts and labour) against any fault not caused by misuse, plus 30 days money back. Technical support is free.
Does a battery-free board keep the settings and high scores?
Yes. Modern replacement boards use non-volatile memory: no more battery, no more corrosion, and the settings are kept when the machine is switched off.
Useful guides
- How much does pinball machine repair cost? The complete price guide
- How much is my pinball machine worth? Values and estimates
- Pinball machine leg sizes: the complete guide by machine
- Which MPU board for a Bally/Stern?
See also
Sources & further reading
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