Hello,
I have a DE SW machine that I own for about twenty years now. The game has not been used for sixteen years because I didn't have the room. Last month I finally got the room and time to give it some TLC. Replaced a lot of fuse clips, a few lamps and lamp diodes. Everything is working fine, except for a dimming problem with all lights.
When using the test function there is no problem but when playing a game it looks like there is a loose connection (the lamps flicker a bit) but all connectors are fine. In attract mode just after a game is played it looks like the SW letters on the bottom of the play field don't get enough power, they dim to almost completely off.
Could you please help me trouble shoot to fix this irritating problem.
Thanks!

I am new to Pinside but I used Google and the search function for this forum. So if I did something wrong please let me know and I'll correct it.
20190623_203331 (resized).jpg

Startek2 thanks for your fast reply. Can I check the bridge rectifier with a multimeter? , I don't think the connectors or bulb sockets are the problem because all lamps have the same problem simultaneously.

There is no evidence of overheating on any of the connectors and I'm not using LED's (except for three flashers in the backbox)

I hope this short video will clarify the problem

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will do the single light check tomorrow.
Could the relay on the powerboard cause a problem like this? When the game ends and the end animation is over (r2d2 getting pulled apart) I hear it click and the lights seem to get more power.
A have another video during gameplay

So could it be a diode problem caused by the GI that affects the insert lighting? They share the same power supply, right?

Right, but from the same board. Or are they completely seperate?

Will also check that tomorrow and post pictures of the board.

So I have removed the power board to give it another inspection, all seems fine.
Did the lamp check from diagnostics, all checks out. Only the light that should go on did go on.

20190702_085600 (resized).jpg

20190702_085412 (resized).jpg

20190702_085440 (resized).jpg

I have caused a new problem now I think..... When I power up the machine, fuse f7 blows. There was a wrong fuse in there that I replaced (5A instead of 0,5A)
Now the display is off, light problems remain...

15620848065912712318421441135224 (resized).jpg

15620848318343248342982623357069 (resized).jpg

I didn't even notice the c7 leakage until it was pointed out here...
Will order the parts and would it be wise to replace the bridge rectifier?

I don't have a 1 amp fuse but wouldn't that be a problem to over fuse?

Here are the two diodes I replaced

20190704_114030 (resized).jpg

20190704_114226 (resized).jpg

The f7 fuse problem was a simple one, did not use a SB fuse. SB fuse 0,5 A installed and al works again.
Replaced all caps on the powerboard.

The original problem still remains.... Could this be a software or PIA problem?

A vew sockets have some rust but the problem is with all insert lighting including the popbumpers.

Wen testing in diagnostics the lights are less bright than during gameplay, right?

Thank you for trying to help figure out the problem.
All insert bulbs behave the same at the same time, what is seen in the video is the behavior of al bulbs driven by CN6 and CN7 from the cpu board.
When playing and right after a game (pre attract mode) the lights show this behavior (bright, dim and flickering) when testing is diagnostics the lights are dim all the time but stay on and don't get brighter or dim.

When testing individual lights only that light is on, no other lights come on not even a little.

I was afraid of that...

All of them behave the same at the same time.

Someone told me to replace the bridgerectifier in the backbox becouse the voltage doesn't look steady. He also suggested to replace the "big blue" capacitor. Could a bad capacitor/bridgerectifier really couse this kind of problem?

I'm not sure about the voltage for the controlled lights, where can I measure the 18v for the lampmatrix?

So I disconnected the plugs c6 and c7 on the cpu board. Connected a testwire to pin 1 on c7 and testwire + diode to pin 1 on c6, connected a lamp socket to the testwire's.
The problem was most noticeable on the Star Wars letters so with this set up I tested the lamp for the letter S. The problem stayed the same.... I think the 18v from the power supply is not stable, where do I test this on the psb?
Can't find anything on that subject on pinwiki or other sources.

Thank you for trying to help.

I will try to make a better video. The lights are not powered stable, they flicker and go dim when they shouldn't.
When popbumpers, slingshots or scoops are operated there is no noticeable diverance but when the outhole kicker is operated the lights, especially the "star wars" letters flicker like a campfire.
When I start a game the lights start a little bit dimmer than usual(no flickering) and when the dead star and r2d2 motor start the lights get brighter and a bit of flickering is noticeable.

Thanks in advance.

On my PS the voltage at pin 6/CN4 is between 15v and 16,5v, is this normal or should it be higher ?

I hope someone can confirm...

I noticed that all lights have the same problem but all the letters in "star wars" on the playfield are much more affected..