Two important areas...ship and spinner. Check the optos on the ramp entering to the spinner and check that the ship is fully working (sails go down, ship sinks under the playfield, etc). Make sure the trunk works and that the stumpy ball stop in front of the ship is working. Then the usual stuff...wear on the playfield, cracked plastics, scratches on cab, hacks on the boards, etc etc

The ones that I see flake out all the time is above.....just make sure they register correctly or the spinner will act funky (not knowing when the balls enter/exit).....sometimes its just unplugging and plugging back in the wires under the playfield on the board

Nice....its a great game that has long lasting appeal....have had mine for many years. Throw some black pinballs in it (to look like cannonballs) with the cheap Backyard cannon mod and change the flipper bats to the Scared Stiff boney flippers for a cool look

I'd have to check, but I think POTC still uses a ROM swap......the USB started with WPT. Check which version you have and compare to the Stern site....you might be all set with the version. I think its John W. that has a ROM business, he'd be your best bet to get them from (unless its USB then its super easy, but I think its before)