This is a rather odd problem. There isn't supposed to be any difference in the operation of the player advance between players 1, 2, 3 when you have 4 players set up. When the ball drains, if the ball index relay is pulled in, then the player unit step-up solenoid will get a pulse through switches on the outhole relay, extra ball relay, player reset relay, and the ball index relay via a score motor switch on cam 2.

Check to be sure there isn't some mechanical issue causing the player unit step-up to glitch when the stepper is in the reset position (player 1 is up).

If the mechanism seems to be OK, check to be sure that nothing unusual is happening with the extra ball relay, player reset relay, and ball index relay while the game is on player one. Under normal operation, the extra ball relay and player reset relay should NOT be energized when you hit the outhole switch, and the ball index relay SHOULD be energized when you hit the outhole switch, assuming you have racked up some score before hitting the outhole switch.

In particular, watch both the extra ball relay and the player reset relay as you hit the outhole switch on player one to confirm that they are not briefly pulling in. Also, watch the ball index relay and the outhole relay to confirm that they aren't dropping out early after you hit the outhole switch.

If there is nothing unusual happening with the stepper mech or the relays, then it may just be you're not getting a good solid pulse to the player unit step-up solenoid. You might try cleaning and adjusting the switches on the outhole relay, extra ball relay, player reset relay, and ball index relay. Also clean and adjust the switches on the score motor cam #2. The switch that pulses the player unit is the 2nd switch in the stack (the switch closest to the cam is the 1st switch in the stack).

- TimMe