So when you entered the Single Switch test - T3 - #78 and then ran your finger over the switch it registered the switch (with sound)? If you did not run this specific test please do and let us know if it worked.
Also, if it worked for a few launches then I doubt it's a fuse, they don't work that way, either they are good or they are bad, no in between.
Quoted from red-line:Once I had looked over the whole machine, I closed it up and started a new game. The plunger worked - for 2 balls. Then it stopped working again. That seems to indicate a faulty connection, right? Either way, I'm going to redo the plunger solenoid solder.
I suppose loose wires, bad connections on the coil or elsewhere may cause it to fail from time to time...
A more detailed picture of the entire coil and switch would be helpful.
Quoted from red-line:When I do the solenoid test, the lamp does light. The lamp also twitches, like its trying to move. I also engaged video mode - the lamp lights but won't spin.
As for your Mars Lamp, if the beacon motor twitches, that seems to indicate, if I correctly understand what you're saying, that the motor is frozen or just burnt out. These can be purchased here and it's a fairly easy thing to replace.
http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/14-7971
It could potentially be that little Triac driver board is bad and they can also be purchase here
http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/A-13088-2
Obviously that's a good chunk of change to spend if it's not needed so if it were me, before I spent any money I would do several tests:
Make sure the fuse on the Triac board is good.
Make sure all connections are solid.
Make sure the lamp cover is connected properly to the beacon motor.
I would take off the beacon motor to see if I could manually spin the rod and hear the gears spin.
I'm not sure how you can really test if the motor is working
Quoted from red-line:No, I don't have a voltmeter. Just got this (my first) pin about 3 months ago, these are the first issues I've had.
You should get yourself a Multimeter, it will be very useful when owning a machine, they can test for many functions that you may need to know in the future... voltage, current, and resistance
motor (resized).jpg