Touching the metal replay (start) button gives a shock.

Shock from a Gottlieb coin door start button

Cause: The button connects to the start relay, which runs on 115 V. The fish paper insulator between the metal button and the switch blades has torn or shifted, so the button touches a live blade.

Checks

• Inspect the fish paper behind the start button.

Fix

• Replace the fish paper so it fully separates button and blades.
• Ground the game (three-prong cord to the frame).

115 V can be present on the start button switch: unplug the game before working on it.

Systems

• Electro-mechanical

Related tips

• Shock from the start button or coin door
• Pre-1968 Gottlieb games have 120 V at the coin door

Source: Repairing Electro-Mechanical (EM) Coin Operated Games to 1978, Part Two, Clay Harrell (pinrepair.com)