Hi I am new to you site but have found tons of useful information while trolling and thought I would join. I have a problem with my system 80 Star Race pinball machine. I have no playfield illumination. All insert lights and back glass illumination are fine. The problem started while I was changing bulbs and one of the sockets broke free of the bracket and I assume shorted something. I check fuses and they are good. I checked power on both sides of the fuse holder and found that I do not have 6 volts. when I trace the wires back to the transformer I still only get about 2 volts. Is it possible that it fried the transformer or is there something else that I am missing?

I put one side on the ground bar and the other at the white and black wires at the fuse block and then at the transformer. I set my meter on the a/c 200 setting. When I check the other terminals using this method I seem to get proper readings.

If the fuse was bad shouldn't I still have 6 volts at the fuse holder and transformer?

I am looking at fuse #2 labeled "playboard illumination". with that fuse removed I am still not getting 6 volts. I am actually getting less than 1 volt, I mistakenly said 2 volts in an earlier post. The wires on my machine are white-black-slate and white-black-black. It tested both to the ground plate and they are both reading under 1 volt.

You are right. When I test both terminals as you stated I get 6.3 volts.

I was checking the fuse while still in the holder once I removed it and checked it I found it is blown. hopefully that is all that is wrong. I will pick up a new fuse and replace it tomorrow and report back. Thank you to everyone for you quick response.

Fuse replaced and all bulbs are now working. On to the next issue.