I just picked up this machine over the weekend, and it has some issues. While I'm getting them resolved, I ran across something odd on the Ball Count Unit.

This game is an add a ball, so on startup, the ball count unit resets to zero, and then steps up to 5 balls before the ball is kicked into the shooter lane. It is supposed to be able to go up to 9 if you can win these extra balls.

However, the ratchet cam on the unit is missing several teeth in a row right after the 5 ball position, which makes advancing higher than 5 balls impossible. It seems that these teeth aren't missing due to damage, but are missing due to being cleanly removed.

Is this something that was commonly modified by operators, or was it done at the factory fro games going to states that had issues with AAB?

Thanks for any information you can provide..

I'm sure. I've advanced the unit passed these missing teeth, and there are lights in the backglass for balls 6,7,8 and 9, which illuminate.

There is also a 3 way selector switch in the back box that has settings for normal game, AAB, and Novelty.

Maybe the only thing that makes Klondike not an AAB, is the missing teeth on the ball cam?

Actually, I think that answers the question. That's the difference. This cam was modified at the factory so that the ball count wouldn't advance beyond 5. That's got to be the only difference between Yukon and Klondike, other than the back glass. Crazy.

However, in AAB settings, you should be able to advance from one ball to two on Klondike. I'll investigate more as I get the game fully working.

Yes, the Klondike backglass has the actual numbers.

http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=1388&picno=54308&zoom=1