Gottlieb Monte Carlo (Gottlieb, 1987) System 80B will only boot up correct with bulb out!

[mayhem69]

Ok, i finally narrowed my problems down to the ballast on my Monte Carlo. I found this on the pinwiki system 80 mods.
"Some erratic boot issues have been observed with the following games: Hot Shots, Bad Girls, and Big House, however, the list of games may be more extensive. The issues included are a locked on display with garbage characters shown, no display illuminating at all, sound board not booting (LED stuck on), locked on lamps, no controlled lamps, locked on coils, etc. The source of the problem is caused by the fluorescent tube starter located in the backbox. It is unknown why exactly this anomaly occurs. Removal of the fluorescent bulb or starter will resolve the booting issues. Unfortunately, this is the only resolution known at this time."
I had all these issues quoted.

When i took the bulb out, it booted up correct 5 times in a row, so has to be the problem. Now what can i do to have the light in the backbox? Did someone come out with a replacement ballast?

 

[Coil_Smoke]

Hows about 2 or 3 strips of Led's and 12 volts to drive them. I have these under kitchen cabinets. You can cut them down and/or order them to length...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-21-132-LED-5630-Aluminum-Strip-Super-Bright-Under-Cabinet-Lights-12-72-/171315912911?var=&hash=item27e33960cf:m:muWT3Zjd8A3L5KbpW9AX3ZQ

 

[pinballdaveh]

120v power line filters were used in arcade video games to cut interference from the marquee fluorescent light. im not sure if a filter will solve this problem. you would think that the people at pinwiki would have thought of this easy solution.

 

[mayhem69]

120v power line filters were used in arcade video games to cut interference from the marquee fluorescent light. im not sure if a filter will solve this problem. you would think that the people at pinwiki would have thought of this easy solution.

yea i would think i can just buy a LED 24" T8 bulb to put in, they are about $30 special order.