Quoted from timlah79:I've verified continuity with the 2 sockets in question as well as 4 other ones that do turn on. All show an Ohms value and all don't look bent more than any other prong on any other socket in the machine. I'm giving up for tonight. I don't think this is something that forum messages back and forth can resolve. I also don't understand why I'm the only JP owner describing these issues and asking for help. Someone else has to have come across this particular GI issue before with JP and figured out root cause.
It's not specific to JP, but Spike2. MANY people have had this issue on Spike 2, and in every one I can think of it's was a short in a bulb or socket.
NODE 9:
node-9-connectors (resized).jpg
I'd start by powering off and removing the CN15 light connector from the Node 9 board and see if that clears the problem because this connector powers the area the error message says is the problem. Node 9 is at the MIDDLE of the playfield, NOT the identical-looking one near the flippers (which is Node 8). Reboot and check if it cleared the error. If it DID clear the error, follow the wires coming from pins 2 and 6 on that CN15 connector. One of the lights or light sockets connected to those wires has your short, and your search area is dramatically smaller.
Or, you can just cheat and check the bulbs I've highlighted in this image. They're all on CN15 and the area the error message is pointing to. ONLY check these if disconnecting CN15 cleared the error.
If taking off CN15 DOES NOT clear the message when disconnected, power off again and take off CN2 and CN14, too and then reboot and check that to see if the error is clear.
Quoted from timlah79:What about the Node 9 board connections, where would I start with that if needed? Forgive my ignorance on the pinball electrical aspect but why isn't the OVERCURRENT "feature" alert nor GI/mode board 9 tests telling me which of the many GI sockets/coils/whatever is the problem?
Because Stern's Spike2 system diagnostic messages suck ass, and Gomez recently admitted that and vowed to make them better (ProTip: Don't hold your breath). It's crazy that 6 years in, Stern's STILL done little to improve the system menus they ported from SAM so they can communicate the full range of diagnostics Spike2 can SUPPOSEDLY give when JJP has done this WAY BETTER for YEARS and Bally/Williams had graphical diagnostics that pinpointed EXACT bad bulbs/sockets on a graphical map of the playfield on their Pinball 2000 system TWENTY years ago.
Quoted from timlah79:I am now on page 46 as directed at the multimeter step:
"At the node board, measure the source wire of the G.I. to ground. Use the manual to determine wire color."
I have no idea what it means by "source wire of the G.I." nor what exactly to test with my multimeter. The JP manual doesn't note a "source wire" for the G.I.
Just for the record and posterity (because I already highlighted the bulbs and sockets in question for your issue), yes, the manual does tell you the source wire. It's on page 21 of the JP LE game manual on the row numbered 154, "Top GI-Left". The Src Wire is listed as Yel Blk.