Yes, you'll need to completely assemble the machine before you start to troubleshoot any mechanical problems. Place the power cord in the pedestal notch first, then attach the backbox and connect the Jones plugs in the backbox. Power on the machine. There should be lights on in the backglass and the coin door. Playfield lights would be off. You can manually turn the credit wheel so it will show one or more credits through the credit window. With the game ball in the outhole, push the credit/start button on the coin door... Then tell us what happens...

You can also try a forced start by pushing in the S relay to see if the machine would start the reset process...