I owned a W?D for a while, and when I bought it, the reels were all DOA. First, I socketed/replaced all 3 LM339 chips, one on each reel PCB, and the reels worked again like brand new. I then started to blow the 3A S.B. fuse at F116 on a regular basis.

Here's how I approached this massive pain in the ass:

1.) I replaced the OEM PDB with a rottendog, and same issue.
2.) I then replaced a 3 reel stepper motors with new ones, and the F116 blowing was reduced. At that point, it would ONLY blow during the multiball that happens when you catch the criminal.
3.) I then pulled/cleaned the motor gearbox for the drop target bank after reading that a dirty gearbox would put additional load on the F116. This helped, but did not completely fix it, It was now blowing like 1 in 10 times reaching that multiball.

4.) Ultimately, I replaced the 3A slow blow fuse at F116 with a 5A S.B. one and this completely eliminated the problem 100%

Hope this helps.

the F116 fuse is connected to J116-2 and J117-2 and J118-2. Seems that the root cause of the blowing fuse is in these somewhere, ore a collective of them.

J116-2 is the 12v supply to the the 3 reel motors as well as the 3-bank target assy, including 16 opto pcb board and all the motor driver boards. EDIT: J116-2 also goes to the coin door interface board. I think I read somewhere that a partially un-seated plug here at J-2 plug could cause some problems with F116 fuse.

J117-2 is the 12v to the DMD controller board

J118-2 is the 12v to the "cabinet optos" (flipper optos I think)

One thing I never did was put in an LCD color display from colorDMD.... wonder if this would have helped take some sort of load off...

Some people said "OH MY GOD!!! DON'T DO THAT!!!" when I switched the 3A 250v S.B. with a 5A.... But like I said, it worked perfectly. I think since the game was not in a commercial environment/on route, It wouldn't be a problem. I still firmly believe the root cause are the reel assemblies, but aside from replacing every damn thing, this route seemed to suffice

This is exactly how I fixed my W?D it years ago. I installed brand new steppers on all 3 reels, checked endless voltages throughout the game... and it would still blow F116. Installed a RD PD board- STILL blowing. After reading tons of threads, and looking at F116 in other BW games, I concluded the manual was in error, and this fuse was supposed to be a 5A, not a 3A. Game worked flawlessly for months on end after that.

People on here might say "Well, it came from the factory with the 3A installed, and not blowing, that's the way it should be"
I sort of disagree with this- What I concluded was I THINK the target bank motor was somehow working harder or something, with resistance. I pulled it apart and cleaned the gearbox (to ease the load on the motor) and that seemed to prolong the times in between blowing F116. I had a very similar problem with the idol motor on my Indiana Jones.

F116 = 5A fuse

-Dan

I literally had PTSD when I saw you guys talking about this!!