At switch-on there is no five-second wait: the score displays come on immediately while the status display stays blank.

Scores light at once and the status display stays dark

Cause: An open slam switch, a closed tilt switch, a coin chute switch shorted to ground by the coin lockout wireform, a loose A1-J5 plug, or a faulty control board.

Checks

• Check the slam switch is closed.
• Check none of the tilt switches is closed.
• Make sure the coin lockout wire is not touching and grounding a coin chute switch.
• Check the A1-J5 connector is secure.

Fix

• Correct the switch or connector fault found; if none is found, replace or repair the control board.

Systems

• Gottlieb System 80
• Gottlieb System 80A

Related tips

• Bookkeeping totals or score levels are wrong or missing
• Game check-out, part 2: what a healthy power-up looks like
• All displays are dark
• Random game over, lost credits or erratic features
• How the control board reset circuit works
• Status display is off but the score displays work
• A display segment or digit is always on or always off
• A playfield switch triggers the wrong response

Source: System 80 Service Manual, Gottlieb