question about lights not working on whirlwind...

tron guy

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I have been making the change to some led's in my whirlwind.
Several were burnt out (original lights). There are currently 3 lights that will not light up. And it appears to be something to do with the actual socket that the lights sit in. I have put in working lights into that particular 'hole' and no luck.

I did also have a drop style target quit working so I went in and saw a ground wire broke off. To my surprise it was fairly easy to solder with the playfield lifted all the way up, almost leaning on the backglass (though it won't actually reach). I found it very handy that there was an outlet inside the cab that would work while the game was turned off. (first pin repair for me, lol)

Anyway, I will have to take pictures I suppose. This strip of lights is up where the extra ball is and houses about 6 consecutive lights. There don't appear to be the same ground wires and wiring coming from it. It's an idc connector.

I guess I need to check for continuity throughout that section to see if I have it huh?
find where I am not getting a connection?
 
Check for loose wires, grounds,
try some non leds in lamp test
could be a lamp driver xstr out
filter board connector could be toasted- loose,
are these general illumination or controlled?
 
I have been making the change to some led's in my whirlwind.
Several were burnt out (original lights). There are currently 3 lights that will not light up. And it appears to be something to do with the actual socket that the lights sit in. I have put in working lights into that particular 'hole' and no luck.

I did also have a drop style target quit working so I went in and saw a ground wire broke off. To my surprise it was fairly easy to solder with the playfield lifted all the way up, almost leaning on the backglass (though it won't actually reach). I found it very handy that there was an outlet inside the cab that would work while the game was turned off. (first pin repair for me, lol)

Anyway, I will have to take pictures I suppose. This strip of lights is up where the extra ball is and houses about 6 consecutive lights. There don't appear to be the same ground wires and wiring coming from it. It's an idc connector.

I guess I need to check for continuity throughout that section to see if I have it huh?
find where I am not getting a connection?

They on boards or individual lamps screwed directly into the underside of the PF?

If its a board and a light is out (555 i assume?) try reflowing the connector pins
 
Check for loose wires, grounds,
try some non leds in lamp test
could be a lamp driver xstr out
filter board connector could be toasted- loose,
are these general illumination or controlled?

I didn't see loose wires
I assume they are controlled? IT is the lights for 100 then 150 , then 200, etc.

They on boards or individual lamps screwed directly into the underside of the PF?

If its a board and a light is out (555 i assume?) try reflowing the connector pins

Yeah I didn't want to pull that little pcb, but I guess I may need to. May as well get my hands dirty on pins now.
 
Yea, if its on that little controlled lamp board, the headers get cracked cold solder joints all the time, my earthshaker had 6 pins cracked, easy fix, those sockets for the bulbs could be dirty as hell, the leds make less contact than the normal bulb wires, but 3 in a row spells connectors
 
Yea, if its on that little controlled lamp board, the headers get cracked cold solder joints all the time, my earthshaker had 6 pins cracked, easy fix, those sockets for the bulbs could be dirty as hell, the leds make less contact than the normal bulb wires, but 3 in a row spells connectors

knowing nothing about pins, I agree with you, I did a very thorough carousel of lamps in various locations drawing me to the conclusion that the problem is somewhere in that board.

Ok I will pull it and resolder.
thanks
 
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