The actuator arm (the "wire") is pretty easy to remove. There are two nubs on each side of the switch it connects to. Just kinda wiggle/pop it off. May need to gently squeeze the metal tips a bit together to get a tight (but not too tight so it doesn't work) fit on the new switch.

So fill us in: switch doesn't work in test mode or game? And it's the actual switch, not just an adjustment issue of the actuator arm, right?

Should there be a diode on the switch?

Also, follow those switch wires. Look for breaks.

Also: confirm all other switches are working. You need to figure out if this issues is specific to just this switch, or is there a larger switch matrix issue present.

I would also figure out where that switch connects to the CPU. That wire may be pulled out just enough from its connector to cause this.

On a side note, this doesn't soumd hard to figure out.

Does that top gate open and close with a coil? If so test it in diagnostics. Report back

Yes coil test in diagnostics.

You can also ground the coil to test it but someone else will explain how