(Topic ID: 225496)
Linked Games
Ali
Stern Electronics, 1980-
Big Game
Stern Electronics, 1980
-
Catacomb
Stern Electronics, 1981
-
Cheetah
Stern Electronics, 1980
-
Cosmic Princess
Stern Electronics, 1979
-
Dracula
Stern Electronics, 1979
-
Dragonfist
Stern Electronics, 1981
-
Flight 2000
Stern Electronics, 1980
There are more than 8 games linked to this topic.
Click here to show all linked games
Click here to show all linked games
Topic Gallery
You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider cheddar.
Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.
Lodi, CA
3 years later
Quoted from SantaEatsCheese:Cross posting here for help.
Normally I try and troubleshoot stuff on my own before asking for help but this one is dangerous so I’m asking up front.
The GI fuse in my Stars is getting hot enough to burn, and the wires are melting around some of the GI underneath.
I got it in a trade yesterday, then fixed a bunch of flakey sockets underneath. I played a dozen games with no issues. After getting it working (by replacing a bunch of bad sockets) I moved it 30 feet, and played a game, no issues. I noticed that one of the inserts was out again, opened the playfield and fixed it, then closed and played another game Half way through the game, ½ of the GI went out, and what was left was really dim. Changing the working lighting over to LEDs did nothing (but the LEDs came on). I turned it off and checked the fuse thinking it was partially burned, but it was HOT, like burning hot. I put in a new fuse and it too got hot and the symptoms didn’t change.
I peaked under the playfield and noticed that some of the GI wires were HOT… like the coating on it was getting shiny because they were melting.
I don’t really know where I should be starting on this one.
How would I troubleshoot this without turning the power on?
I won’t turn it on for more than about a minute for testing, but did notice that the pop bumper has stopped working, although everything else appears to function correctly except the GI.
The only other things I’ve messed with are the displays (ordered 2 new Xpins after giving up) and did some touchup paint but I know that didn’t cause the issue.
I’m going to troubleshoot again in the morning and any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Below is a bad walkthrough video if it helps and some pictures.
Any and all help greatly appreciated.[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
That fuse shouldn't be that hot. It should blow. I would expect it to be over fused. Then I would set up your DMM to.measure ac voltage on this line and turn the machine on and see if maybe your getting coil voltage on this line. If normal you may have a shorted socket.
Quoted from cottonm4:If there is a shorted socket, can all of the GI bulbs be pulled and reinstalled one at time until the problem shows up?
Probably not as the socket is likely shorted with the bulb in or not. You can pull all the gi (disconnect the back box if possible) and measure resistance across the tabs of each socket. If you have any there's a short (should be open). The closer you get to the short the less resistance (although your meter may not be sensetive enough). If the meter can't to do a visual inspection is needed. Look for sockets where the barrel spins or is loose. Make sure the spring isn't touching the barrel. Any questionable sockets you can disconnect and then test continuity across the tabs
Promoted items from Pinside Marketplace and Pinside Shops!
Copenhagen
You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider cheddar.
Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.
Reply
Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.
Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!
Donate to PinsideGreat to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!
