A general illumination string stays dark, often after the driver board GI connector pins were replaced.

GI string dead after connector replacement: broken traces

Cause: Cracked plated-through holes or broken traces at the .156 inch GI header pins, so the pins no longer connect to the fuse holders or triacs. Failed triacs are very rare.

Checks

• Set the meter to continuity and check each GI header pin through to its fuse holder and triac, using the schematics for pin, fuse and triac numbers.

Fix

• Repair broken traces or holes with jumper wires.

Systems

• WPC Alpha-Numeric
• WPC Dot Matrix
• WPC Fliptronics
• WPC DCS
• WPC-Security (WPC-S)
• WPC-95

Related tips

• GI string still dead after replacing J115: broken through-hole, add a jumper
• One GI string is out
• One GI string dead though the board and fuse test fine: burnt connector in the cabinet
• Several GI strings dead after a connector repair: lifted pads at J115
• Two GI strings still dead after fixing a burnt J120: broken pads and traces
• No GI at all
• General illumination strings
• One GI string dead after a restoration: unkeyed J115 plugged in upside down

Source: Repairing Williams/Bally WPC Pinball Games from 1990 to 1999, Part Three, Clay Harrell (pinrepair.com)