The start up sequence for flipper clown is on pinwiki, section 5.2 if this helps.

Another thing you might check is the three slotted screws that hold the wiper on the wiper mounting spider. l find that these screws slacken slightly over time allowing the wiper arm to 'drift' off center.

Like paulace writes, your explaination is a great insight into how the game works. As my flipper clown doesn't function correctly due to repair hacks, l now know the 'red'and 'white' columns advanced via the roto target aswell as the roll over switches and what the 'win' relay does. l wondered if this type of 'greater than' was used on any other gottlieb em's?.
Another thing l've wondered about this game and others is what came first the playfield layout or the rules set.
l listen to a lot of music and l always wonder if such a song was lyric lead and then put to music or the other way around, this thought applies to pinballs machines.