Bally 873, replaced lamp tube, now handle locked, no coin-ups etc.

[frenchmarky]

A couple of months ago I had to replace the right side reel unit female beau plug, which I did by re-soldering the old wires one by one to the new plug.  From what I remember everything was working perfect after that, except before I zipped it back up I ended up having to replace the lamp sockets for the reels' fluorescent tube, was getting iffy, and beginning to fall apart.  I stupidly removed one old socket whilst machine was powered up and blew the 3 amp fuse.  Then there was a month lapse while I obtained the new lamp sockets and got sidetracked with other things.  So today I replace the sockets and the fuse.  Now the tube is working fine, but the machine now refuses to coin up past coin 1, never unlocks the handle, and won't pay out even if I force some reel combinations with manual handle releases and spins.  Tried re-seating all main units repeatedly with no change.  Here's all I can get out of her:

- 'Insert coin' lit
- accepts coin, 'coin accepted' lights up, 'insert coin' stays lit
- further coins are accepted, but no change:
    - both above lamps stay lit
    - only line 1 payouts are lit
    - handle stays locked
- If I manually advance the coin-up unit some steps, then coin it, it WILL reset the coin-up unit, but am still stuck at line 1 with same problem as above
- Forced spins and payout combos - no pays

Arghhh, I thought for sure I had just left some connection off somewhere and forgot about it during the month off, but I just can't find anything amiss, and like I said it was humming along great till I decided to replace the tube socket.  Any suggestions on what things I should check first that would most likely be causing this?  I didn't think the blown and replaced fuse could be related to this since it is not rejecting the coins, all lamps seem to be working, coin reject coil is working, etc.  Thanks!

[frenchmarky]

Also, additional coins do cause some clicking though no coin-ups.... but at that point if I manually release the handle lock relay so I can do a pull, I notice then that if I try additional coins, the coin switch is having no effect, no clicks, nothing, just dead.

[RiseLikeRa]

Marky:

Your original post was some time ago.  I just stumbled upon it.  I also noticed that no one had responded to you.  I hate to see that.  I am by far no expert however I would suggest that IF you have another set of beau plugs to make a patch/extender cord.  My mechanic mad on for me about 5 feet long.  I would say that the trouble is somewhere in those new solders that you make.  With the patch cord hooked up and the hopper sitting next to the cabinet on the bench you can see what is working and what is not.  Just a suggestion if you have the wire and the plugs.

Ra

[David B Fowler]

 I agree with you that would be a good start too. Extension cables are a great tool but take a good time to make. Just got done making mine and now I am out of solder and heat shrink tubing and now need new tips for the iron. But that would be the best way to check. You can check your top unit switches on the coin advance unit to make sure you dont have 1 welded shut from the short you had.
Dave