With all those problems you should probably just sell the game to Boilerman, or myself!
But seriously, I would go back over that sequence bank for the '3s' double check there is nothing creating a short on the switch that should only register that sequence is complete (lights 5k points on those rollovers). You may also have a problem with your ball count unit with those symptoms. Schematics can be frustrating at times, but hang in there. Follow the logic path that happens when that sequence is completed, then inspect any switches that might be misadjusted.

So on the first issue, completing all the 3's switches (the two #3 standups and #3 rollover) is required to change them to be worth 5000 points.

Getting each 3 trips a relay in the Sequence Bank, so the 3Y(ellow), 3W(hite), and 3G(reen) relays all need to be tripped in order to activate the 5000 point option.

Now, the 5000 pt relay (E) will cause the score motor to run when activated. Since you describe the problem as having the score motor running, then I'd suspect that the E relay is tripped (but this should be confirmed). If it is tripped, then that suggests it really could be one of the two #3 standup switches, or the #3 rollover switch.

If the contacts look "good", then also check for this:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/gottlieb-em-tech-tip-mystery-stuck-switches

(This would be my guess; that a backing blade is shorting one of the three #3 blades, and causing the 5000 point relay to stay stuck on.)

For the ball count issue, if you start a game without the ball in the outhole, does the outhole kicker still fire? Does the ball count still display ball 1?

Strange World is a desirable game for a few of us!

Using a bright lite source does help. Another way is to take a photo of the switch stack, then blow up the image. Now you should be able to light up that 100,000 point light.

Nice line-up! How do you like your Astro? (same layout as 4-Square in AAB?)Glad it was as simple as your findings. Its nice when things work out that way.

Dirt, you're sure getting a lot of mileage out of that thread.

I'm surprised at how many instances have surfaced in the short time since you first posted that that you have been able to appropriately refer to it.

I'm thinking this could be the start of a "stickies" section, like exists on other online forums, at the beginning of the EM tech section. Does anyone know if this has been brought up to Robin in the past?

Another Pinsider had sent me that picture, and it occurred to me that we see a lot of 'stuck switches' issues, so I figured it might come in handy. Maybe it has.

But in this case it sounds like it was an actual switch contact, rather than the backing blade gremlin. Logically, it had to be one of the switches though. Glad it worked out.

amen!!!!

I think they sometimes just shrink (the fiber spacers) over time. Its a good idea to check all the screws on the switch stacks when you go thru a game. The larger stacks tend to be more likely to need a half or full turn of the screwdriver.

Strange World is an amazing game, my fav wedgehead by far!

i love playing 4-square, but i wish it had the astro artwork...