Have you checked your trough optos to make sure every one is working? Those things like to fail on a regular basis, and could be the reason it's shooting out too many balls.

As for launching a ball starting the mode, is the shaking of the machine as the solonoid fires activating a switch? Go into switch mode, and shake your machine like there's no tomorrow. See if any switches go off.

i had to replace my trough opto boards with updated versions from great lakes modular DCS-TBS. mine was acting the same way and it is a common issue

I reflowed the solder on my opto boards and that solved my opto problems. Also, make sure you clean the eyes. Dirty opto eyes can cause it to be flakey as well.

This may be of value, I had one in my last JD and it was quite effective:

http://www.pinbits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13_8&products_id=449

Brad

Man, I only saw Judge Dredd has 3 balls. It would have been a better title