I reached into my Stars yesterday to to check some voltages on the rectifier board to trouble shoot my Flight 2000. I noticed the voltage was low on the AC voltage for the general illumination lights. When I went to close it up, I tried to start a game and the machine wouldn't start. I had controlled lights on the playfield flickering and the displays were counting up numbers in a flicker. I figured it must have had something to do with the lower voltage, so i checked the transformer and had the correct voltage. I looked at the fuse holder and noticed it was much worse than the others. I replaced the holder and the voltage went up a bit. The wires coming from J2 were pretty hot. This problem i was able to track down to a bad light socket at the left 7000 light at the drops. I removed the bulb and the heat went away. I replaced the socket and everything was fine there.
The flickering insert lights and displays counting in flickers I couldn't figure out. I tracked it down to plug J3 on the mpu. It turns out that at pin 10 there is a tan and white wire that goes to the coin switch. Once I disconnected this wire, the game booted properly and no longer flickered.
Very strange behavior, but I though I would share in case anyone else experiences this.