My Gay Time “spots” #19 whenever I start a new game, and it does so the instant the balls drop. I pulled the jones plug that contains the #19 wire coming from the playfield to the head. #19 still lights with the jones plug disconnected, so it looks like the problem is in the head somewhere. Immediately after starting a game I lowered the whiteboard onto the top of the game to get a better look at the wiring on the backside of the whiteboard. I discovered that #19 went dark as soon as the whiteboard was lowered about 15 degrees from its normal upright position. Raising the whiteboard back to its upright position caused #19 to light again. I’m guessing there must be a short between the #19 wire and another wire somewhere in the head. I checked for continuity between the #19 light and the general illumination lamps in the whiteboard that are always lit, but I didn’t detect any continuity.

Now I’m wondering how to proceed. The big wire harness that contains all the wires except those connected to the search disc has a tear in the tape wrapping next to the insulated wire bracket that holds the harness. The few wires I can see through the tear all appear in good condition. Are there other steps I can take to narrow the possible problems before I remove the tape wrapping and start examining each wire? I’m reduced to guessing at this point, so I could use a lot of advice.

A couple more points about the “spotted” #19: It counts as though a ball really is in the hole – the game will score winners that include the phantom #19. All payouts are handled correctly including those that do not use #19. Although #19 is lit as soon as I start a game, the bulb has a lower intensity than normal. If I actually land a ball in the #19 hole, the number shines brighter in the whiteboard. If I move #19 using the magic lines feature, #19 does not remain lit; instead, the number that moved into the position formerly occupied by #19 lights. In other words, whatever number is in row 2, column 2 (measuring from the top left of the card) will be lit. Balls lift correctly and the game plays correctly, with the exception of the spotted #19.

One more thing that I almost hate to add: Search relay #2 is active as soon as I start a new game, and I believe that behavior is “correct” considering the game believes there is a ball in #19. However, each time search relay #2 pulls in (3 times per search disc revolution), the 4th odds step (120-32-12) flickers faintly. I think it’s tied in with the ghost #19 problem.

I appreciate any ideas on how to approach this problem.

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I disconnected the jones plug that connects the playfield #19 hole to the #19 lamp in the whiteboard, yet #19 still lights as soon as I start a game. I thought that test would clear the jones plug wiring of any suspicion of being the culprit, but maybe I'm wrong. I made a 2 minute video that shows the behavior much better than I explained it in my original post. It shows the synchronized misbehavior of the #19 light and the 4th odds step. If you have time, please take a look and let me know what you think.

Excellent advice. I took the clamp off and the problem disappeared. I then wrapped the big wire trunk line where the old tape was worn away, and I wrapped the smaller wire bundle from the search disc that crosses the main trunk line right where the clamp is. I didn't see any frayed wires, but there were plenty of wires I couldn't see. I put the clamp back on and the game operates normally - no more #19 spotted for free. If the #19 issue arises again, I'll unwrap the wire harness and look for the wires that are shorting. For now, the situation is stabilized. Thank you!