You feel a shock when touching the start button or the coin door.

Shock from the start button or coin door

Cause: On some games from the 1960s and earlier the start button is wired at full line voltage, and a frayed wire or shorted switch blades are touching metal.

Checks

• Unplug the game immediately.
• Inspect the start switch wiring for frayed or loose insulation and the switch blades for shorting to the bracket.

Fix

• Repair the wiring or replace the start switch before using the game again.

This circuit carries lethal line voltage on these games. Unplug before touching anything.

Systems

• Electro-mechanical

Related tips

• Shock from a Gottlieb coin door start button
• Shock from Gottlieb coin door coin switches
• Pre-1968 Gottlieb games have 120 V at the coin door
• Shock or voltage between cabinets: check line cord polarity to the fuse

Source: Pinball Machine Care & Maintenance, Bernard B. Kamoroff (Bell Springs Pinball Alley)