Creature from the Black Lagoon hologram not illuminating during multiball
The hologram feature on my Creature from the Black Lagoon isn't working properly. During the Film Sequence modes and multiball, the hologram area stays dark. The hologram disc itself looks clean and intact — I can see images on it when I shine a flashlight through it — but the lamp behind it never lights up during gameplay.
I went into the lamp test and cycled through all the lamps. When the hologram lamp comes up in the test sequence, it does light up but it's extremely dim — barely visible. All other playfield lamps seem to be at normal brightness.
The game plays fine otherwise and all the other features work. The 3D effect was one of the main reasons I bought this game so I'd really like to get it working. Is this just a bulb replacement or something more involved?
yemons·3/21/2026★ 1 Answer
The hologram illumination on Creature from the Black Lagoon uses a specific high-wattage bulb to project through the holographic disc, and the very dim output you're seeing in the lamp test tells you the issue is likely in the lamp circuit rather than just a dead bulb. If it were simply a burnt-out bulb, you'd see nothing at all — a dim bulb suggests either a weak lamp driver or a poor connection reducing voltage to the socket.
Start by replacing the hologram lamp itself — it uses a #906 or #89 bulb (depending on the revision) which is brighter than the standard #44/#47 bulbs used elsewhere on the playfield. Make sure you install the correct high-wattage bulb, not a standard playfield lamp. You can get the correct hologram bulbs at Marco Specialties. While the bulb is out, clean the lamp socket contacts thoroughly — corrosion in the socket is the number one cause of dim lamps. If the socket itself is blackened or the contacts are weak, replace the entire socket assembly.
If a new bulb and clean socket don't restore full brightness, check the lamp driver circuit on the lamp driver board. The hologram lamp is driven through a transistor on the WPC lamp driver board — if that transistor is partially failed (leaky but not fully shorted), it will pass enough current to dimly light the bulb but not enough for full brightness. Locate the transistor for the hologram lamp column/row and test it. Also check the wiring from the lamp board connector to the hologram socket for any corroded or high-resistance connections. Many owners also upgrade to an LED hologram light — Pinball Life carries LED solutions that can provide brighter, more reliable hologram illumination while running cooler than the incandescent bulb.
yemons·3/21/2026