Edit: reworded

I'm in the middle of a complete AFM re-wiring. I have left the cabinet wiring in tact but I'm in the process of re-wiring the playfield. While testing the playfield lamps, I noticed that the last lamp in a row will flash along with any lamp that I test within that row.

This is particularly interesting with Lamp 88 (start button). I can remove the wiring harness for the playfield wiring and experience the flashing lamp issue with lamp 88 when I test say lamp 28 or 38.

It seems like the entire column 8 is live, all the time.

If I test any of the column 8 lamps individually, they test fine.

bump - still no luck. Even with the playfield unplugged the start button will flash when I test any bulb on its row.

Could this be a bad chip?

AFM. The boards were previously wired for NBA FB.

Thanks guys! I'm still learning about these boards and was not aware of the transistor references.

I just swapped pin 9 and 7. Now the lamps all trigger the lamp in column 7 as expected. Swapped them back, and they trigger the lamp in row 8 again.

For the record - the start button has its own dedicated column lamp wire coming from J122.

Can I assume shorted means it needs replacement as far as transistors go?

Thanks to both of you for the responses. I've ordered the kit, will replace the part and update this thread with the result.

Update: Problem was definitely the Q97. I sent the boards to Clive and they're now working wonderfully.