If it was working momentarily and THEN blew a fuse, I'll bet you have short in that GI section. This happens when globes are changes as the sockets are bent to accomodate the removal of the old globes and insertion of the new globes. When you are confident, lift the playfield and look at all the GI globes changed in the vicinity. I won't be surprised if one globe socket is grounded (accidentally).

"tying off a few wires" sounds suspect to me.