C8 is 11.4 volts when the supply is working, as soon as i connect the yellow wire the supply shuts off and the voltage drops to 6.4 volt and remains there even when the yellow wire is disconnected again. infact with the yellow wire disconected the device will not work until the main hv cap has discharged completely.
Very interesting case. i like it!
Your controller supply voltage is underestimated even when it is working.
At 11.5 it can already turn off.
Also the voltage doesn't return to normal during restart.
This indicates the increased consumption.
Unsolder R12, connect external power supply to C8. Gradually increase the supply voltage and measure the starting and operating current.
You can control the status via 5 volts on pin 8. It is there when the controller is running and disappears when it stops.
Please also measure the reverse process of reducing current consumption when reducing the controller supply voltage.